T. N. Srikantaiah

T. N. Srikantaiah Biography

T. N. Srikantaiah was a noted writer associated with Kannada literature. He was a well-known linguist, scholar and poet. Srikantaiah is credited to suggesting the term, Rashtrapati for first citizen of democratic India – ‘President of India’. He was also instrumental in publishing the Kannada version of Constitution of India in 1952. His collection of romantic poems, Olum, was first one of this kind in Kannada language. He was a teacher by profession who continued with his work till his death happened in Kolkata in 1966, following a heart attack. His centenary was celebrated during 2005-06. His magnum opus Bharathiya Kavya Meemamse is one of his masterpieces on classical literature. Kavya Sameekshe and Samalokana are his literary criticism works.

Aacharya Tirthapura Nanjundaiah Shrikantaiah was born on 26 November 1906 in Teerthapura, Tumkur district, Karnataka. His family was the descendant of the Kings of Hagalavadi. He completed Master's in English and Kannada in the late 1920s. Later he worked in many government offices and educational institutions. Samalokana, Bharatiya Kavya Meemamse, Pampa, Olume, Rakshasana Mudrike, Kavya Sameekshe, Nantaru and Samalokana are among his published works. He was also known as ThiNamShree.

A literary genius, he suggested the name Rashtrapati to address President of India, a matter of great pride for Kannadigas. The term is still in use. He was a member of Indian constitution council when he suggested this term. Noted poet G S Shivarudrappa compared him to a coconut tree that grows tall and becomes multi-dimensional in utility. He played a significant role in nourishing Kannada literature. He belongs to the Navodaya or the romantic period in Kannada literature, and Olum is his celebrated work. He wrote in Kannada, Sanskrit and English languages, and his writings in English were published posthumously in 1980.

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Updated: June 19, 2016