<p>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. </p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>Mankutimmana Kagga is presented as A Yokel’s Sheafs by Natarajan, while Hasuru Honnu appears as When Green is Gold by Jyothi. </p>.<p>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. </p>.<p>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. </p>.<p>“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. </p>.<p>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. </p>.<p>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. </p>.<p>Recalling fond memories, Natarajan reflected on his grandfather DVG and Swamy with deep admiration. “Both were towering personalities in their own ways,” he said. </p>.<p>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. </p>
<p>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. </p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>Mankutimmana Kagga is presented as A Yokel’s Sheafs by Natarajan, while Hasuru Honnu appears as When Green is Gold by Jyothi. </p>.<p>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. </p>.<p>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. </p>.<p>“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. </p>.<p>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. </p>.<p>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. </p>.<p>Recalling fond memories, Natarajan reflected on his grandfather DVG and Swamy with deep admiration. “Both were towering personalities in their own ways,” he said. </p>.<p>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. </p>