Critic DVK is a back-seater

He makes sure the Govt gets as much as it gives

A contemporary critic was a man from Kolar Gold Fields. Disregarding orders by the Congress leaders of Bangalore to reduce such accusatory writings about the Government, the writer remained steadfast to his ideals and beliefs- D V Krishnaiah Setty.

However, he has been following the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi since decades and involved himself in social service. The 81-year-old Setty had participated in the freedom struggle, diligently following the leaders, but humbly refuses the title of a freedom-fighter.

A quiet, yet multi-faceted personality is DVK. In the 1950s, when one could find hardly a trace of Kannada here, he gathered people who shared his love for the language and began organising Kannada-related activities in the region.

DVK was well-acquainted with the famous Kannada writer RaShi. At the age of 16 itself, a piece of writing by DVK was published in RaShi’s magazine, Koravanji. RaShi, G P Rajaratnam, Masti influenced DVK greatly. When he was still a student, staying at the hostel in Bangalore, a literary critique by DVK appeared in Prajavani-Deccan Herald in 1954.

Although closely connected to several politicians and ministers, DVK unhesitatingly wrote against the works of the Government, causing discomfort to both the Government and the Congress party.

DVK received a degree in textiles in the 1950s and started a handloom mill in Kolar Gold Fields. He realized that the steps taken by the Government in the name of development were not helping small industries. His writings on this matter appeared in all papers, making the Government see red.

An article on the powerloom tax system appeared in Prajavani, in 1954. The then Union minister T T Krishnamachar, who was in Mysore, learnt of the article in the newspaper and sent three Central Excise officials to Kolar Gold Fields for investigation. In addition, the Congress leaders, in power in the State, made local freedom fighter Bapna send a warning, DVK remembers today.

Although a writer who pours out his thoughts onto his articles, D V Krishnaiah Setty has never ended up having even a quarrel with anybody in the open. Also, while close to several people having important posts, DVK made sure never to exploit the acquaintance for personal use.

Forever a fan of Kannada, he continues to serve the language in his own way, even at an old age. A Kannada programme anywhere attracts him. DVK will take a seat in the last row, among all other spectators, but leave at the end of the programme, says close friend and president of Kannada Sahitya Parishad N R Purushottam.