Eminent Kannada writer and scholar Kamala Hampana passes away at 88

Bengaluru: Noted writer and scholar Kamala Hampana passed away at her daughter's residence in Bengaluru on Friday night from a heart attack. She was 88 years and is survived by her husband writer and scholar Prof Hampa Nagarajaiah, two daughters and a son.

Her mortal remains were kept at Samsa Bayalu Ranga Mandira for the public to pay their last respects. She had donated her body to Ramaiah Medical College and sources close to the family said that the body was handed over to the medical College.

Kamala Hampana, born in 1935, hailed from Devanahalli, outside Bengaluru. She did her masters and PhD in Kannada literature from Mysore University. She worked in various government first grade colleges in the city and later was a visiting professor at Mysore and Hampi universities.

Though she also wrote fiction and poetry, she was mainly known for her extensive and groundbreaking research in Jaina literature. Ancient Kannada literature and Jainology were her areas of focus. She was also a noted literary critic. She has written an autobiography, four collections of short stories, two collections of vachanas, and three radio plays apart from editing and translating several works, including Dr B R Ambedkar's ‘Annihilation of Caste’. She had identified herself and worked with the women and Dalit movements.

Kamala Hampana was the president of 71st Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Moodabidri in 2003. She was awarded with Rajyotsava prashasti, Nadoja honorary doctorate by Hampi University apart from several other awards in the state.

‘Chandana’ and ‘Bavane’ were among her well-known story compilations.

Condolences pour in

Several dignitaries paid their last respects to the departed soul on Saturday and expressed their condolences.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who paid his last respects at Samsa Bayalu Ranga Mandira said that her sudden death came as a shock. “Apart from her work in the literary field, she was also a well-known researcher and scholar. I stand with the family during such tough times. Let her soul rest in peace,” he posted on X.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said that her demise had left a void in the Karnataka literary community. “She has worked in the field for nearly six decades and has contributed immensely to Kannada literature. I pray that the family gets the strength to bear the loss,” he said.

Many other literary icons and dignitaries including former Chief Ministers B S Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai also expressed their condolences.