Vidwan Sediyapu Krishna
Bhat, reknowned poet, story teller, philologist, lexicographer and a
great scholar in Kannada would have completed hundred years on 8th June
2002 had he been alive. He passed away on his 95th birthday after the
release of the English translation of his book Thathya Darshana
Discovery of Facts. Born in the year 1902 at Sediyapu, near Puttur in
Dakshina Kannada District he lost his father very early and could attend
regular school only up to 9th standard due to lack of any support and
poverty. But, intense thirst for knowledge made him to gather it from
all quarters that he was entirely a self-made person attaining
proficiency not only in all aspects of Kannada but also in Sanskrit and
other languages as well as in Ayurveda. He became a teacher at primary,
secondary, high school and college level. Before he joined St.Aloysius
High School, Mangalore as a teacher, he was a practicing Ayurvedic
physician and an associate editor of a well known periodical.
He was recognized at a very young age as a scholar of great learning by
his writings, as he always believed in maintaining very high standards,
be it poetry, stories, scholarly articles or research activity and hence
in terms of numbers his literary output was low. Ill health and eye
problems, even complete blindness during his last decade did not prevent
him from producing works of great quality. In fact every one of his
literary works have been acclaimed by some honor or prize by the State
or Universities/Institutions. Original and independent thinking,
unbiased writing with precision are the hallmarks of his works. His
poems reflect his views in multi layered fashion taking the reader to
different levels of poetic ecstasy. He always kept his mind very active,
even up to the final seconds of his life. The following is a brief list
of his works---
Poetry-Chandrakhanda Mattu Kelavu Sanna Kavyagalu (1994)- This is a
collection of all his poems including those published in smaller
booklets/books from 1935 onwards.
Stories-Palamegalu Mattu Eradu Kathanagalu (1979/97)-This is the tenth
impression of his original collection first published in 1947.
Philology/Grammer-Kannada Varnagalu (1955)-Series of presentations made
at Karnataka University, Dharwad.
Research Volumes-Kelavu desha namagalu (1975), Thathya Darshana
(1991-This was also translated to English by Padekallu Narasimha Bhat in
1996.),
Kannada Geethikeya Lakshana Mattu Dhati (1972), Chhandogathi (1985),
Kannada Chhandassu (1988-this was an enlarged version of his celebrated
article of 1932 ).
Collection of articles on different subjects-Vichara Prapancha
(1992)-This brought him the highest literary award Pampaprashasthi of
Karnataka Govt for 1994 that was announced and given postumously in
1996.
Collection of his letters-Patravali-compiled by Prof.M.Ramachandra
(1991),
Patragalu Chithrisida Sediyapu-compiled by Erya Lakshminarayana Alva
(1996)
Lexicon-Kannada Nighantu (1951)-co-author.
Other titles-Eeshwara Sankalpa Athava Daiva Leele (1996)-some events in
his life., Sediyapu Nenapugalu (1996)-compiled by Vaidehi towards the
end of his days., Nudiharalu (2001)-compiled by Prof.M.Ramachandra.
There are a number of books on him and on his works. His former
students, friends, well-wishers and admirers set up a fund to celebrate
his birth/death day every year with day long literary activities
highlighted by the annual award of SEDIYAPU PRASHASTHI and also for
the republication and study of his works. The year long centenary
celebrations are being rounded off by a three day program of literary
and cultural activities at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College, Udupi on 7,8
and 9th June2002. This year's SEDIYAPU PRASHASTHI goes to eminent
scholar Prof .S.K.Ramachandra Rao. The previous awardees of this
prashasthi are Vidwan N.Ranganatha Sharma, Dr.Chidanandamurthy,
Prof.Venkatasubbaiah, Prof.Venkatachala Shastry. And Dr.U.P.Upadhya.
A quote from one of his poems
“Oo sathyaveera puthra
Manushyapathada nethra
Oo punyabhumi varaputhra
Nee bhaviyugada dhathra !
Jaya bharathaputhra !”
