Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri (SP)

Moodbidri, Mar 10: Veteran Congress leader, former union minister, former chief minister of Karnataka and writer, M Veerappa Moily, who hails from Marpadi here, has been chosen for 'Saraswati Samman' literary honour that is conferred on writers of prose or poetry of outstanding value. Moily has been chosen for this award for the year 2014.

Moily has been picked for the award for his epic poetry in Kannada, 'Ramayana Mahanweshanam' that was first published in 2007. The work, which is in five volumes, was later translated in English, Telugu, and Hindi languages. The only other 'Saraswati Samman' recipient for Kannada literature has been well-known Kannada novelist, S L Bhyrappa.

K K Birla Foundation, which instituted this annual award in 1991, said that the said work of Moily explains about the concept of 'Ramarajya (welfare state)', ideologies guiding formation of welfare state, and modern angles of this concept. The award is being given to persons with outstanding achievement in the field of literature every year. The award, being given in the name of goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, comprises cash component of Rs 10 lac, citation, and honour.

This year, the winner of the award was chosen by a team comprising of 13 scholars led by former Supreme Court chief justice, R C Lahoti.

Moily has penned four novels, collection of three epic poetry, several plays, and essays. His novels, 'Kotta' and 'Tembare' have been translated into several other languages.

Moily, who was working as lawyer in Karkala before entering politics and staying loyal to Congress all along, has worked in that party in various capacities. He has been a trusted lieutenant of the central leadership of Congress since his early days in politics.