Kuvempu's inseparable association with the Upanishadic thoughts enabled him to visualise life in its untainted totality and grandeur. There was absolutely no room for anything that is not in tune with the sublime in his scheme of things. Therefore, he seemed to reserve the sharpest of weapons to combat the forces that conspired to constrict the human spirit that possessed an innate capacity to blossom into divinity. One encounters a Promethean fire in all the essays contained in this volume where the poet exhorts people to shun soul-killing practices which have come in the way of the natural growth of human beings in all its splendour. Kuvempu's exquisite power of persuasion is seen in these essays where his refreshing refrain is to banish the mind-forged manacles' for good. Dr. C. Naganna's ideological affinity with Kuvempu's thinking is evident in this translation and that makes the book eminently readable.
This work is a result of a systematic and disciplined undertaking by Professor Ramegowda (Ragow) as Visiting Professor of 'Kuvempu Kavyadhyayana Peetha' in the Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies, University of Mysore. He wanted to bring out the English Versions of at least some important works of Kuvempu during his tenure, that is, 2009-10. As such he selected three plays of Kuvempu and some thirteen discursive essays. The well-known writers like Prof. D.A. Shankar, Prof. N.T. Bhat, Prof. N.S. Raghunath and Prof. C. Naganna responded very readily to Dr. Ragow's request and accomplished the translation of the said works well within time. It's true that Poet-Laureate Kuvempu has worked in all genres of literature; but his most valuable and unique writings are to be located among his discursive works. He had declared a war against all forms of superstition and narrow-mindedness; the hierarchy of caste and creed invited his wrath and he seemed to reserve a special weapon of words to attack this evil relentlessly. Although a perceptible change is taking place in our society, since old habits die hard, Kuvempu's thoughts are still relevant. I am indeed grateful to Prof. C. Naganna for translating these essays into English finding an appropriate wavelength with the original and treating the task as a labour of love. In addition to the thirteen discursive essays three plays of Kuvempu have also been translated. Jalagara as a play reflects intense social consciousness. It reveals the structure of our society which is beset with soul killing stratification. Similarly, one particular night in Siddhartha's life marks the end of all his earthly ties and he goes in search of redemption of humanity. From then onwards innumerable writers and poets have contemplated on this aspect of Siddhartha's life but Kuvempu's approach holds a mirror to his genius. The description of such a night is the theme of the play, Maharatri. Balidana is not merely a mechanical recording of sacrifice and independence; it embraces the philosophical meanings embedded in such lofty ideals which made possible 1947 in the annals of Indian history. 'Kuvempu Kavyadhyayana Peetha' records its grateful thanks to Prof. D.A. Shankar, Prof. N.T. Bhat and Prof. N.S. Raghunath for ably translating the three plays into English.
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