Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 29: The Rev Dr Ferdinand Kittel Foundation, established by Karnataka Theological College (KTC), Mangaluru, has selected two distinguished scholars, Prof A V Navada and Prof Veeranna Rajoor of Dharwad, as the inaugural recipients of the Rev Dr Ferdinand Kittel Award. The award recognises scholars who have made significant contributions to the Kannada language, literature, research, and culture.
Prof A.V Navada has made notable contributions to the study of Ferdinand Kittel and his contributions to Kannada language and literature, as well as to research in linguistics, lexicography, folklore, and Haridasa literature. Prof Veeranna Rajoor has made distinguished contributions to Middle Kannada literature, Vachana literature, manuscript editing, and literary research.
Prof A V Navada and Prof Veeranna Rajoor
Their scholarly achievements and contributions led to their selection for this inaugural award.
The award presentation ceremony will be held on November 12 at the Bishop Jathanna Auditorium, Karnataka Theological College, Balmatta, Mangaluru.
Prof A V Navada
Born on April 28, 1946 at Kotekar, near Mangaluru, Prof A V Navada is a renowned linguist, lexicographer, researcher, folklorist, and scholar of Haridasa literature. He served as a lecturer at Bhandarkars College, Kundapura, for approximately 24 years. He subsequently served at Kannada University in various capacities, including Head of the department of manuscriptology, professor, director of the Publications Division, and chairperson of the Purandara Dasa Studies Chair. He also served as chief editor of the Tulu dictionary project.
Prof Navada has published several works on Ferdinand Kittel and the contribution of missionaries to the Kannada language. His notable works, both authored and edited, include Vivakshe, Janapada Samalochane, Janapada Kaipidi, Tulu Janapada Geetegalu, and Saviraru Keerthanegalu, among others. In recognition of his scholarly achievements, he has received several honours, including the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award, the Aryabhata Award, and the Folklore Expert Award from the Karnataka Janapada and Yakshagana Academy.
Prof Veeranna Rajoor
Born on June 4, 1947 at Benakanal in Kushtagi taluk of Koppal district, Prof. Veeranna Rajoor has made distinguished contributions to Kannada literary research, the study of Vachana literature, manuscript editing, and theatre. He began his professional career as a research assistant at Karnataka University and subsequently served as a lecturer, professor, head of department, and director of the University's Publications Division. A close disciple of Dr M M Kalburgi, Prof Rajoor has undertaken significant research, particularly on the Vachana poets of the post-Basava period.
His scholarly publications include Vachana Adhyayana, Swaravachanagalu, Veeranna Rajoor Noorondu Baraha, and Nooru Shodha. In addition to his research publications, he has enriched Kannada literature through plays, short stories, and edited works. Having published more than a hundred books, he has received several honours, including the Honorary Fellowship of the Karnataka Nataka Academy and the Pha. Gu. Halakatti Award. A felicitation volume titled Rajamarga, documenting his achievements, has also been published in his honour.
Selection committee
The awardees were selected by a committee chaired by Prof K Chinnappa Gowda and comprising Rev Dr H M Watson, Dr Dhananjaya Kumbla, Dr Prakashchandra Sisila, and Rev Dr Sandeep Theophil.
The foundation hopes that this award, which recognises distinguished scholars who have enriched Kannada language, literature, and research, will make a meaningful contribution to the cultural and academic life of Karnataka.
About Rev Dr Ferdinand Kittel: A Distinguished Scholar of Kannada Literature
Rev Dr Ferdinand Kittel (1832–1903) was a missionary of the Basel Mission and an exceptional scholar who made invaluable contributions to the development of Kannada language, literature, and culture during the nineteenth century. Deeply interested in Kannada, he conducted significant research in lexicography, grammar, prosody, textual criticism, and literary history. Through his scholarly editions of classical Kannada works, he opened new avenues for the academic study of Kannada literature.
Kittel was born on April 7, 1832 at Rosterhof, Germany. He began his theological studies at the Basel Mission Seminary in 1850 and arrived in India in 1853, reaching Mangaluru on October 21 that year. For nearly five decades, he served in various places, including Mangaluru, Dharwad, Hubballi, Madikeri, and Anandapur in Kodagu. His major contributions to Kannada language and literature include Kathamaale (1862), Paramatmajnana (1863), Yesukristana Shramaya Charite (1865), Sanna Karnataka Kavyamaale (1865), England Deshada Charitavu (1866), Shabdamani Darpanam (1872), Kavyamanjari (1877), Kannada Panchatantravu (1887), Hale Kannada Vyakarana Sutragalu (1889), and the Kannada–English Dictionary (1894). His A Grammar of the Kannada Language was published in 1903. His Kannada–English Dictionary, published in 1894, remains a significant resource for the study and research of the Kannada language. In recognition of his scholarly work, the University of Tübingen in Germany conferred a doctoral degree upon him.
Objectives of the Kittel Foundation
Inspired by Kittel's scholarship, educational commitment, and intercultural understanding, the Foundation seeks to recognise and honour individuals and institutions that have made distinctive contributions to Kannada literature and culture.
Its principal objectives include encouraging research on the Kannada language; organising seminars, conferences, and academic programmes; and publishing scholarly works, books, and other educational resources. The Foundation also aims to promote research on Kittel's life and writings, encourage the study and publication of his dictionaries, poetry, and grammatical works, and transmit knowledge of Kannada language, literature, history, and cultural heritage to future generations.