7 unknown facts about Karnataka's Rashtrakavi 'Kuvempu'

Google paid homage to one of Karnataka's greatest poets Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa popularly known as Kuvempu or as KV Puttappa on his 113th birthday on Friday, December 29, by dedicating a doodle to him.

Widely regarded as the greatest Kannada Poet of the 20th century Kuvempu is one of the most decorated writers from Karnataka.

For his contributions to Kannada Literature, the Government of Karnataka decorated him with the honorific Rashtrakavi (National Poet) in 1958 and Karnataka Ratna (Gem of Karnataka) in 1992.

Kuvempu was excellent in studies and also became the  Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University, the first graduate from Mysore University to rise to that position.

But Kuvempu was more than just a writer; he was a trailblazer for a modern Kannadiga.

1) Kuvempu wrote English literature initially. He started with a collection of poetry called Beginner's Muse but later switched to his native Kannada. 

2) He was against casteism and abhorred meaningless practices and religious rituals.

3) He gave his own version of the Indian marriage.

4) He gave his own perspective to the epic Ramayana, called  Sri Ramayana Darshanam which won him the prestigious Jnanpith Award.

5) He believed in being a universal human being and yet remained a 'Kannadiga' to the world. 

6) He spearheaded the movement to make Kannada the medium for education, emphasizing the theme 'Education in the Mother tongue'

7) December 29 is observed as Rationalism Day to mark the birth anniversary of Kuvempu. On this day, programmes are observed at government offices and educational institutions to propagate rational thinking and promote scientific temper among people.

Kuvempu's forward thinking is probably what made him liked by all. But, perhaps, if he lived in today's world, he would be criticised for all that he stood for and also questioning the beliefs of others.   

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