T.J.S. George, one of India's last great editors, is in town. George, like everybody else interested in these matters, was amazed at the remarkable condition of Kuvempu's house in Vontikoppal as opposed to the despicable condition of R.K. Narayan's in Yadavagiri.
At which point, yours truly butted in to say that Kuvempu's son K.P. Poornachandra Tejaswi had in fact turned the ancestral home in Tirthahalli into a wonderful musem.
At which point, George remembered Y.N. Krishnamurthy, the legendary Kannada editor, humourist and punster.
Apparently, YNK used to say that Kuvempu had not named his son, he had sentenced him. Just.
30 April 2006 at 8:27 am
LOL true…And, I am sure you know the other ones name – “kOkilOdaya chaitra”…Isn’t he in Australia ?
PCT’s daughter Susmitha is a good friend of mine and she would be really pissed when people from the North of Vindhyas called her “Sushmitha”, especially after MS. Sen became Miss Universe. Susmita’s sister is ‘IshAnye’.
Talking of names
My friend’s cousin – ‘IshAnya aMtaHpura’ – Have no clue why….
A friends daughter – ‘anRuta’ – which means ‘Lie’ !!!
Another friend’s daughter – ‘niveMka’…No idea what it means
Cousin – ’sAndeepa kannada vardhana’. Sure, his father LOVES the language.
1 May 2006 at 7:39 pm
Some credit should definitely go to Tharini and Dr.ChidanandaGouda who used to live there and maintain the house till they moved recently when Dr.KCG became vicechancellor.
I have been seeing that house since 1980’s and living as a neighbour since 93, the house has not changed much, stays neat, still retains those huge trees, including a jackfruit tree(real yummy ) and amazing crotons. The garden is always spic and span.
I remember often seeing Kuvempu taking a walk wearing white dress during evenings on 12th cross used to watch with awe, after reading his poems in school textbooks, was a small kid then but still remember the white tuft of hair very well.
1 May 2006 at 9:22 pm
What about “Prithvi Dutta Chandra Shobhe”…
11 May 2006 at 10:52 pm
We were in Mr. kuvempu’s neighborhood too.. I used to play with his grand-daughters sushmita, Ishanye and Prarthana.. Good old times.. used to see him take a walk every evening.. In fact, prarthana and I used to memorise his poems right in front of his eyes.. No idea where all those people are now…
12 May 2006 at 12:21 am
Het….don’t call her “Sushmitha”…she will get mad. She is “Susmitha” :)
20 June 2006 at 7:41 pm
December stud.. do help me to name my friend’s sister daughter.. letter is ‘K’ ..