Kirtinath Kurtakoti

Kirtinath Kurtakoti Biography

Kirtinath Kurtakoti was a Kannada writer and critic who was verse in Sanskrit and Hindi as well. In 1995, he received Kendra Sahitya Academy award for his critic work, Uriya Nalage. A few of his noted works include – Arthantara, Aa Mani, Adhyayana mattu Parayana, Marathi Samskruti-Kelavu Samasyegalu, Uriya Nalage, Yugadharma mattu Sahitya Darshana, Pratyabhijnana, Chandragupta, Rajakeeya mattu Dharma, Bhringada Benneri and Putta Bangara. His most noted work is Marathi Samskruti - Kelavu Samasyegalu, a Kannaad translation of Marathi work written by Sham Bha Joshi, which won him Sahitya academy award. He has worked as professor in several colleges and was also a member of the syndicate of the Kannada University at Hampi. Kirtinath died on July 31, 2003, aged 75. Surprisingly he died of heart attack 3 hours soon after the death of his beloved wife!

Kurtakoti was born in Gadag town of Karnataka. He was born on October 13, 1928. His graduation was completed at Karnatak College in Dharwad. Later he served as a lecturer in several colleges before moving to Anand in Gujarat. Later he took MA in English literature and worked as a lecturer in Sardar Patel University in Gujarat. He married Saraswati Bai. He served as professor at several colleges and after retirement in 1988, his entire life was spent at Dharwad. He has also served as adviser to Manohara Granthamele, and was also nominated to the Jnanpith language panel.

Nadedu Banda Daari is a study on the achievement of Kannada literature travelling from past to present and Aa Mani is a noted play. Aa Mani is one of his noted stage plays which have been staged several times. Saraswati Bai, his wife has been admitted at hospital for about one week or so. She died on July 31, 2003 morning at 8.30 am. At 11.30 am, Kurtakoti died at his residence following a massive heart attack.

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Updated: March 20, 2014