Image for representation.
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Bengaluru: The illustrious contributions of D V Gundappa (DVG) and his son B G L Swamy, to Kannada literature — Mankutimmana Kagga and Hasuru Honnu — are now poised to reach a global audience through their English translations.
DVG’s grandson, K Natarajan, and his wife, Jyothi Natarajan, have translated these masterpieces into English, with the launch of both books in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Mankutimmana Kagga is presented as A Yokel’s Sheafs by Natarajan, while Hasuru Honnu appears as When Green is Gold by Jyothi.
Translating these masterpieces was no easy feat, according to the two translators. For Natarajan, DVG’s Kagga posed a challenge due to its use of Hale Kannada (ancient Kannada) and its profound philosophical undertones.
Speaking to DH, he said that Kagga captures the essence of Vedanta, the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, the Bible, the Qur’an and classic literature.
“For the original essence, one should read the Kagga. But I have tried to extract the best of it,” he said, reflecting on years of work.
Jyothi, on the other hand, described her translation journey as a silver lining during the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Hasuru Honnu is a humorous take on the education system and a treasure trove of ecological wisdom,” she said.
She admires Swamy’s witty yet thought-provoking commentary on flora, conservation, and cultural myths, noting how he used his expertise to challenge popular misconceptions and promote a deeper understanding of nature.
Recalling fond memories, Natarajan reflected on his grandfather DVG and Swamy with deep admiration. “Both were towering personalities in their own ways,” he said.
He described DVG as a towering intellectual figure, particularly in philosophy, whose wisdom was both high-level and challenging. In contrast, Swamy’s approach was more light-hearted yet equally scholarly, using humor to make complex ideas accessible.