Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 29: Today happens to be the 113rd birth anniversary of celebrated Kannada poet, novelist, critic, thinker and playwright, Kuvempu. In his honour, Google Doodle has featured him sitting on a rock and engaged in writing today.

Kannada fonts are used in Google Doodle for the first time.

Kuvempu, whose real name was Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa, was born in Kuppalli in Shivamogga district on December 29, 1904. Having been identified as one of the prolific writers gifted with the talent to enrich Kannada language and culture, he had been honoured with the honorary title, 'Rashtrakavi'. He also had been bestowed with the national 'Jnanpith' award. Kuvempu breathed his last on November 11, 1994.

Kuvempu University and Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies Mysore, were created in honour of this great writer and human being. 'Kavishaila' a rock monument created in his honour, also stands at his native place, Kuppalli.

Works like 'Sri Ramayana Darshanam', 'Malegalalli Madumagalu' and collection of poems, 'Kolalu' have etched out his name permanently in the memories of Kannadigas.

Kuvempu was against casteism and irrelevant religious tenets.