Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jul 25: In a deeply saddening development, Rajashree Jayaraj Poojary, a promising young writer, lawyer, and cultural enthusiast, passed away following health complications. Hailing from Bantwal, Rajashree was known for her literary talent, humility, and multifaceted contributions to arts, literature, and society.
Born on January 16, 2000, to Jayaraj and Sarojini, Rajashree completed her early schooling in Bantwal and later continued her studies at Badag Ekkaru and Sri Durgaparameshwari Pre-University College, Kateel. A meritorious student throughout, she went on to pursue her LLB at the prestigious SDM Law College, Mangaluru, between 2017 and 2022, and was practising as an advocate for the past two years in Mangaluru. Her younger brother Manoj is currently pursuing post-graduation in Clinical Psychology in Bengaluru.
From a young age, Rajashree was passionate about reading and writing. She actively participated in school competitions in storytelling, essay writing, quiz, and public speaking. Despite economic challenges, she excelled academically and was widely respected among peers and teachers for her brilliance and perseverance.
Her achievements include awards such as the Kannada Kuvadhi Award (2015) by the Cultural Art Centre, Bolwar, Puttur, and the Kannada Dhwani Award (2016) by Gadinada Dhwani Kannada Monthly. She was also a recipient of the 'Best Story Writer of the Institution' during her PUC days and had represented her college in district and state-level essay and quiz competitions. At SDM Law College, she won awards in inter-collegiate competitions and was part of various seminars and cultural events as an anchor and writer.
Rajashree was an active participant in several literary and cultural platforms, including the 2020 Student Tulu Sammelana at Mangaluru and the Book Brahma Literary Festival in Koramangala, Bengaluru, in 2024. She had also served as an NSS volunteer and had represented Karnataka State Law University in national-level camps.
She gained recognition for her oratory and anchoring skills, notably co-hosting Kambala Kahale with Kanginamane Vijaykumar for Daijiworld in 2020. She was also known for her storytelling sessions, particularly her weekly Tulu story series titled Kateta Kadike on social media. Rajashree had a significant presence in All India Radio Mangaluru, reciting her own stories and poems.
During the Covid lockdown, she initiated online general knowledge quizzes in Kannada and Tulu that ran for over 100 days across multiple editions, showcasing her commitment to knowledge sharing. Her creative works — stories, poems, essays, and reviews — were published in leading Kannada dailies and magazines like Udayavani, Prajavani, Vijayavani, and Tulu Nadu Varthe.
Rajashree was also associated with organisations like Tulu Parishat, Mangaluru; Makkimane Kalavrunda; Inchara Artists Bajpe; Sahitya Sinchana Writers’ Circle; and Sahityasaktara Balaga, Mysuru. Her list of accolades includes the Kannada Kuvadhi Award, Kannada Dhwani Award, Book Brahma’s Most Loved Story Award, among others.
She was in the process of preparing her first collection of Kannada short stories and had also completed a manuscript of Tulu stories.
An avid book lover, she had read and shared over a thousand books, inspiring many to embrace the joy of reading. Her knowledge of Kannada and Tulu literature, mythology, folklore, and culture was profound, and she regularly collaborated with senior writers to document and narrate these stories through voiceovers and social media.
At the time of her passing, she was practising law under advocates Jagadeesh K R and Prasad in Mangaluru.
Rajashree Jayaraj Poojary was not only a gifted writer and orator but a symbol of resilience and humility. Her journey stands as a testament to how dedication, passion, and belief in one's dreams can lead to extraordinary accomplishments. She will be fondly remembered as a bright and inspiring figure whose legacy will continue to influence and uplift future generations.