Mar 29 2025 to Mar 29 2025 6:30 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Kirtinath Kurtkoti (1928-2003) belongs to the rare but powerful tradition of multilingual literary and cultural criticism in India. His oeuvre encompasses commentaries on the entire spectrum of Kannada literature, from the earliest extant writings to late twentieth-century works. Kurtkoti’s critical works highlight the unique sensibility of the Kannada literary tradition, placing it in the broader context of Indian and world literature.

Courtesy of Criticism brings some of his important essays on Kannada literature to non-Kannada readers. Divided into three sections— Literary History, Literary Theory, and Literary Criticism—the book showcases 31 short and long essays of Kurtkoti’s essential writings. The book has a twofold purpose: to introduce the significant body of Kurtkoti’s works and, through these essays, to highlight the significant strands of the Kannada literary tradition. Courtesy of Criticism demonstrates the subtle ways in which a mind, enriched by its own traditions and eclectic literacy, can transcend received structures of knowledge.

NS Gundur will be in conversation with Shri Chandrashekhar Kambara, M S Ashadevi and Kamalakar Bhat, the editor and translator of the essays. A Q&A session with the audience will follow.

The session will be in Kannada and English.

Speakers

NS Gundur
Literary Historian
NS Gundur is a literary historian specializing in modern Kannada literary cultures and their institutional roots. Raised in an agricultural family in north Karnataka, he completed his post-graduate studies as well as doctoral research at Karnatak University, Dharwar. Gundur began his teaching career at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune, and is now a professor of English at Tumkur University. He writes in both English and Kannada for scholarly journals and popular media. His articles have been published in The Economic and Political Weekly, Atlantis: The Journal of Anglo-American Studies, The Indian Express, The Wire, The Hindu and Prajavani, the foremost Kannada newspaper. He has translated Michel Foucault into Kannada and published Vartamanada Itihasakara: A Critical Introduction to Michel Foucault in Kannada (2017). He is a recipient of NIF’s translation fellowship (2022) to translate D R Nagaraj’s Allama Prabhu mattu Shaiva Pratibhe.

Kamalakar Bhat
Writer, Translator & English Professor
Kamalakar Bhat is a bilingual writer, translator, and English professor. He has published three collections of poetry in Kannada: Churuparu Reshime (PUTINA Award, 2006), Mugiyada Madhyahna (2010), and Jagadajate Matukate (2017). He also has published three collections of translated verse in Kannada including. He has edited and co-edited multiple volumes, including Sangam: An Anthology of World Poetry (2023) and In the Light of Shiva (2024). His essays and translations have appeared on prominent platforms such as Indian Literature and Outlook. His latest book, Courtesy of Criticism: Selected Essays of Kirtinath Kurtkoti, was published by Penguin Random House India. A recipient of the PUTINA Award (2006) and the B. H. Shridhar Award (2023), he has contributed extensively to Kannada magazines and academic journals.

MS Asha Devi
Writer, Translator & Professor
MS Asha Devi is a writer, translator & professor. Asha Devi teaches Kannada at Maharani University, Bengaluru and is a prominent Kannada literary critic. Her publications include the works of literary criticism, Belakiginta Bellage (Whiter than Light, 2016) and Naduve Suliva Atma (The Moving Self Within, 2011). She is the recipient of Sahitayshri award, Infosys Award, GSS Award and MK Indira award.

Chandrashekhar Kambara
Poet, Playwright, Folklorist, Film Director & Fiction Writer.
Chandrashekhar Kambara is the Jnanpith-winning Indian poet, playwright, folklorist, film director and fiction writer. He was the first vice-chancellor of Kannada University in Hampi. He was the president of the Sahitya Akademi, the Chairman of National School of Drama. Kambar’s oeuvre comprises many well-known works including Jokumaraswami, Siri Sampige, Shikharasurya, and Mahamayi. He is the recipient of Padma Bhushana, Sahitya Akademi fellowship, Kabir Samman, Kalidas Samman, Pampa Award as well as several national and international awards. He was also nominated as a Member of Legislative Council.