C. K. Nagaraja Rao (Kannada: ಸಿ. ಕೆ. ನಾಗರಾಜರಾವ್, 12 June 1915 – 10 April 1998) was an Indian writer, dramatist, stage artist, director, journalist and social activist, who wrote in Kannada.
He was the first recipient of the Moortidevi Award instituted by Bharatiya Jnanpith for his magnum opus "Pattamahadevi Shantaladevi" in 1983.[1] The same work received "Best Creative Literary Work" award by the Karnataka Sahitya Academy in 1978.
C.K. Nagaraja Rao was born on 12 June 1915 in Challakere, Chitradurga district to C.S. Krishnamurthy Rao and Smt. Puttamma. His childhood was spent in various cities around India and he developed a keen interest in the rich art and cultural heritage of Karnataka, India.
As a school boy, he volunteered to waited upon Mahatma Gandhi during his stay at Nandi Hills near Bangalore, India. The interaction with Gandhi and his close association with his uncle, Justice Nittoor Srinivasa Rao, instilled in him devotion for India's freedom and welfare of its needy people. Rao's literary career began when he won a school competition for his short story "Kaadu Mallige" about a Dalit music lover who was not allowed to sit with patrons from the upper castes during concerts.
He worked with Satya Shodhana Pustaka Bhandara, a Kannada book printer and publisher whose motto was the promotion of the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka. Under the guidance of his uncle Justice Nittor Srinivasa Rao, C.K. Nagaraja Rao had the opportunity to mingle with leading writers and literati of Karnataka. After a few years of work at Satya Shodhana, he took over responsibilities as secretary of the Kannada Sahitya Parishath and worked with influential writers like Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, B. M. Srikantaiah and others which further strengthened his resolve to delve deeper into the heritage of Karnataka.
Research: history and culture of Karnataka
The extensive research by C.K. Nagaraja Rao led to his publishing many research papers. Amongst his earliest research works was a book titled “Kavi Lakshmeeshana Kaala Mattu Sthala”, on the celebrated Kannada poet Lakshmeesha. The book won an award from the Karnataka Sahitya Academy for the research content. He also authored many research papers on the Chalukya, Ganga and Hoysala dynasties which were published in the journals of the Mythic Society and other journals and newspapers like Vani, Samyukta Karnataka, Praja Vaani etc.
Historical novels
His research into the Hoysala period, regarded as one of the golden periods in the history of Karnataka, led to the unearthing of stone inscriptions that shed light into the motherhood of Hoysala Queen Shantaladevi, thus debunking the myth that she committed suicide for being childless. Through his research he was able to establish that Queen Shantaladevi was the mother of three sons and a daughter. In the year 1977, he self -published his magnum opus "Pattamahadevi Shantaladevi", a historical novel spanning 2162 pages. This work was hailed as "Gadya Mahakavya" by historians, critics and readers alike. Sri M.V. Kamat, the editor of Illustrated weekly of India lauded the novel as the biggest literary work ever published. The Hindi translation of this novel translated by Sri P. Venkatachala Sharma and published by Bharatiya Jnanapith has been well received.
C.K. Nagaraja Rao wrote two additional novels "Veeraganga Vishnuvardhana" and "Dayada Daavanala?" that further chronicle the history and times of the Hoysala dynasty. These novels record the history through hundreds of characters, many historical, and some imaginary to strengthen the narration. He penned "Sri Pruthvi Vallabha", covering the Chalukya dynasty and the period of their famous King Tailapa.
Theatre and radio plays
He formed his own troupe called United Artists in Bangalore. He directed plays of well-known Kannada playwrights like T.P. Kailasam, Kuppali Venkatappagowda Puttappa and others. He developed his own style of makeup for theatre artists and was recognised as one of the best make-up artists of his times. He was closely associated with All India Radio Bangalore as an actor and producer of radio plays.
Other activities
C.K. Nagaraja Rao was closely associated with the Mythic Society and worked as its chief executive and editor of its journal.
He also founded Karnataka Lekhakara Sangha and worked as its president for over three decades.
He initiated many youngsters into creative writing by conducting monthly poet meet-ups called "Kaavyarama".
He was closely involved in social activities as an active member of the Rotary Club of Bangalore. He was also editor of the journal of the Rotary Club for many years.
He helped organise festivals such as Hoysalotsava and Gangasamrajyotsava and actively participated in the Chalukyotsava at Badami.
He worked as the President of Jayanagar Housing Co-operation Society for many years.
He served as the First Vice-Principal of Adarsha Film Institute.
He was a member of P.E.N, a worldwide association of writers.
Published works
Collection of stories
1937 Kadumallige
1944 Sangama
1956 Drushti Mathana
1982 Saavilladavaru
Plays
1943 Shoodramuni
1979 Sampanna Samaja
1979 Sankole Basava
1988 Ekalavya (Hindi)
Novels
1957 Nambida Jeeva
1978 Pattamahadevi Shantaladevi
1992 Veeraganga Vishnuvardhana
1994 Daayaada Daavaanala?
1983 Kuranganayani
1995 ShriPruthvivallabha
Translations
1938 Premayogini
1940 Darpachoorna
1941 ArakshaNeeya
1946 Kaashinaatha
1957 Vishweshwari
1958 Mantradeekshe
1959 Nanna Nechhina Naade
1979 Thathamaavana Kanasu
1970 Cambodia-Laos
Other works
1942 Naayikode
1950 Ekalavya Darshana
1969 Mahakavi Lakshmeeshana Sthala Mattu Kaala
References
^[1] 15 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Bharatiya Jnanpith Moortidevi Laureates.
External links
Mythic Society
January 09, 2023
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources C K Nagaraja Rao news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message C K Nagaraja Rao Kannada ಸ ಕ ನ ಗರ ಜರ ವ 12 June 1915 10 April 1998 was an Indian writer dramatist stage artist director journalist and social activist who wrote in Kannada C K Nagaraja RaoBorn 1915 06 12 12 June 1915Challakere Chitradurga district Karnataka British IndiaDied10 April 1998 1998 04 10 aged 82 Bangalore Karnataka IndiaOccupationWriter social activist stage actor amp directorNationalityIndianGenreHistorical fiction researchHe was the first recipient of the Moortidevi Award instituted by Bharatiya Jnanpith for his magnum opus Pattamahadevi Shantaladevi in 1983 1 The same work received Best Creative Literary Work award by the Karnataka Sahitya Academy in 1978 Contents 1 Early life 2 Research history and culture of Karnataka 3 Historical novels 4 Theatre and radio plays 5 Other activities 6 Published works 6 1 Collection of stories 6 2 Plays 6 3 Novels 6 4 Translations 6 5 Other works 7 References 8 External linksEarly life EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources C K Nagaraja Rao news newspapers books scholar JSTOR February 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message C K Nagaraja Rao was born on 12 June 1915 in Challakere Chitradurga district to C S Krishnamurthy Rao and Smt Puttamma His childhood was spent in various cities around India and he developed a keen interest in the rich art and cultural heritage of Karnataka India As a school boy he volunteered to waited upon Mahatma Gandhi during his stay at Nandi Hills near Bangalore India The interaction with Gandhi and his close association with his uncle Justice Nittoor Srinivasa Rao instilled in him devotion for India s freedom and welfare of its needy people Rao s literary career began when he won a school competition for his short story Kaadu Mallige about a Dalit music lover who was not allowed to sit with patrons from the upper castes during concerts He worked with Satya Shodhana Pustaka Bhandara a Kannada book printer and publisher whose motto was the promotion of the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka Under the guidance of his uncle Justice Nittor Srinivasa Rao C K Nagaraja Rao had the opportunity to mingle with leading writers and literati of Karnataka After a few years of work at Satya Shodhana he took over responsibilities as secretary of the Kannada Sahitya Parishath and worked with influential writers like Masti Venkatesha Iyengar B M Srikantaiah and others which further strengthened his resolve to delve deeper into the heritage of Karnataka Research history and culture of Karnataka EditThe extensive research by C K Nagaraja Rao led to his publishing many research papers Amongst his earliest research works was a book titled Kavi Lakshmeeshana Kaala Mattu Sthala on the celebrated Kannada poet Lakshmeesha The book won an award from the Karnataka Sahitya Academy for the research content He also authored many research papers on the Chalukya Ganga and Hoysala dynasties which were published in the journals of the Mythic Society and other journals and newspapers like Vani Samyukta Karnataka Praja Vaani etc Historical novels EditHis research into the Hoysala period regarded as one of the golden periods in the history of Karnataka led to the unearthing of stone inscriptions that shed light into the motherhood of Hoysala Queen Shantaladevi thus debunking the myth that she committed suicide for being childless Through his research he was able to establish that Queen Shantaladevi was the mother of three sons and a daughter In the year 1977 he self published his magnum opus Pattamahadevi Shantaladevi a historical novel spanning 2162 pages This work was hailed as Gadya Mahakavya by historians critics and readers alike Sri M V Kamat the editor of Illustrated weekly of India lauded the novel as the biggest literary work ever published The Hindi translation of this novel translated by Sri P Venkatachala Sharma and published by Bharatiya Jnanapith has been well received C K Nagaraja Rao wrote two additional novels Veeraganga Vishnuvardhana and Dayada Daavanala that further chronicle the history and times of the Hoysala dynasty These novels record the history through hundreds of characters many historical and some imaginary to strengthen the narration He penned Sri Pruthvi Vallabha covering the Chalukya dynasty and the period of their famous King Tailapa Theatre and radio plays EditHe formed his own troupe called United Artists in Bangalore He directed plays of well known Kannada playwrights like T P Kailasam Kuppali Venkatappagowda Puttappa and others He developed his own style of makeup for theatre artists and was recognised as one of the best make up artists of his times He was closely associated with All India Radio Bangalore as an actor and producer of radio plays Other activities EditC K Nagaraja Rao was closely associated with the Mythic Society and worked as its chief executive and editor of its journal He also founded Karnataka Lekhakara Sangha and worked as its president for over three decades He initiated many youngsters into creative writing by conducting monthly poet meet ups called Kaavyarama He was closely involved in social activities as an active member of the Rotary Club of Bangalore He was also editor of the journal of the Rotary Club for many years He helped organise festivals such as Hoysalotsava and Gangasamrajyotsava and actively participated in the Chalukyotsava at Badami He worked as the President of Jayanagar Housing Co operation Society for many years He served as the First Vice Principal of Adarsha Film Institute He was a member of P E N a worldwide association of writers Published works EditCollection of stories Edit 1937 Kadumallige 1944 Sangama 1956 Drushti Mathana 1982 SaavilladavaruPlays Edit 1943 Shoodramuni 1979 Sampanna Samaja 1979 Sankole Basava 1988 Ekalavya Hindi Novels Edit 1957 Nambida Jeeva 1978 Pattamahadevi Shantaladevi 1992 Veeraganga Vishnuvardhana 1994 Daayaada Daavaanala 1983 Kuranganayani 1995 ShriPruthvivallabhaTranslations Edit 1938 Premayogini 1940 Darpachoorna 1941 ArakshaNeeya 1946 Kaashinaatha 1957 Vishweshwari 1958 Mantradeekshe 1959 Nanna Nechhina Naade 1979 Thathamaavana Kanasu 1970 Cambodia LaosOther works Edit 1942 Naayikode 1950 Ekalavya Darshana 1969 Mahakavi Lakshmeeshana Sthala Mattu KaalaReferences Edit 1 Archived 15 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine Bharatiya Jnanpith Moortidevi Laureates External links EditMythic Society Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title C K Nagaraja Rao amp oldid 1100255064, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
