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Gamaka Vidwan M S Ananthapadmanabha Rao (September 6, 1903 to November 29, 1987) was a Kannada Laureate, Poet, Writer and Gamaki. He was the man instrumental in the evolution of Kannada literature in the then State of Coorg during the Pre Indian Independence Era. He was also a proficient Gamaki and the author of the magnum opus Karnata Bharatha Kathamanjari containing the last eight parvas of Mahabharatha which poet Kumaravyasa had left unfinished. This is in the Bhamini Shatpadi style of poetry containing more than 8000 poems. Ananthapadmanabha Rao, arguably is the only other Gamaki, belonging to the esteemed list of Gamakis, who parallel the famously known Gamaka Bhageerathas – '''Shri. Bharatha Bindu Rao, Shri. Krishnagiri Krishna Rao and Shri. Kalale Sampathkumaracharya. '''

Biography
Shri. Ananthapadmanabha Rao was born on 6th September 1903. He pursued his education at Madikeri under the guidance and tutelage of veteran laureate '''Shri. Panje Mangesh Rao'''.
 * Birth, Education and Early Days

Coorg, once the independent state of Pre-Independence India had lured rulers from all dynasties. In particular, the Mysore and the Kerala kings. The land of scenic beauty saw the light of prosperity during the rule of the Ikkeri dynasty starting from King Doddaveerappa Raja till Chikka Virarajendra. It was during King Chikka Virarajendra's rule, largely due to his incapable administration the state completely fell into the claws of the British rule. The state eventually was eclipsed by the English culture and systems. No less influenced by the British culture was the education system. Madikeri, the present District Headquarters of Coorg had a Central High School, which witnessed employment of only English as teachers and principals.

'''Shri. Panje Mangesh Rao, famously known as kavishishya''' and the legendary laureate in the history of Kannada literature, during the early 1920s, due to his laudable credentials became the first Indian Principal of Madikeri Central High School. This appointment, even today is regarded as the turning point in the evolution story of Kannada literature in the then state of Coorg.

Amongst the student group of Shri. Panje Mangesh Rao, the one to draw his attention was Shri. M S Ananthapadmanabha Rao. His interest towards Kannada literature, style of writing and dedication amazed '''Shri. Panje Mangesh Rao''', resulting into increased attention towards him. In addition to the class hours, the teacher-student duo started spending their evenings at Raja Seat the famous landmark of Madikeri, discussing Kannada literature. '''Shri. Panje Mangesh Rao''' successfully brought out the hidden interest, talent and dedication that Ananthapdmanabha Rao had in Kannada literature.

Regardless of the financial status of the family, all the poets, laureates, musicians etc. had only one host at Madikeri - Ananthapadmanabha Rao and his ever smiling wife '''Smt. Lakshmi Devi'''. She was also known as the Annapoorneshwari (the Hindu goddess of food) of Madikeri for being the most hospitable woman. Ananthapadmanabha Rao had 4 children. '''Late Shri. M A Sheshagiri Rao''', Retd. Forest Offier, '''Karnataka Kalashri Shri. M A Jayarama Rao, Renowned Gamaki and Art Critic, Smt. Padmini Srinivasa Rao, Gamaki and Late Shri. Madikeri Nagendra''', Renowned Music Director and Light Music Artiste.
 * Family

Contribution to evolution of Kannada Literature
'''Shri. Panje Mangesh Rao' established and started a Kannada Koota with the support of his colleagues Shenoy Master, G Shrinivas Murthy, CM Rama Rao and BS Kushalappa'' who also became the first set of members. Ananthapadmanabha Rao and his friends Shri BK Subba Rao, GS Keshavacharya and a few others became the youth workers. Ananthapadmanabha Rao had chosen shorthand, book keeping and typewriting as his specialization. After completing his matriculation, he joined the Department of State Excise under the then Coorg Government. In recognition of his abilities, in the year 1930 the Coorg Government posted Ananthapadmanabha Rao to Vellore to get trained in shorthand. He learnt Kannada shorthand and later joined the Police Department as the first ever reporter specializing in Kannada Shorthand.
 * Kannada Koota (Group) and Employment

In the year 1932, the Kannada Sahitya Parishat organized its 18th annual literature conference. Legendary scholar and poet, Shri. DV Gundappa was chosen as the president of the conference. Many stalwarts of Coorg were part of the presiding committee. To name a few, Odlemane Aatmaram Shastri, Shenoy Master, DM Siddhalingaiah and so on. First in the line amongst the youth workers was Ananthapadmanabha Rao.
 * Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, Association with DVG and the Kannada Sangha

Working style, dedication towards work and more importantly the passion towards Kannada literature in Ananthapadmanabha Rao, drew the attention and appreciation of DVG, who inspired and motivated him to become a lifetime member of Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

DVG handed over the left over funds of the conference and suggested Ananthapadmanabha Rao to establish a Kannada Sangha at Coorg. Thus, in the year 1932, with the blessings of DVG, the first ever Kodagu Kannada Sangha was established and started. Ananthapadmanabha Rao became the first Director of the sangha and in the later days he also served as its Secretary and Vice President.

Ananthapadmanabha Rao was also selected as the member of Kannada Sahitya Parishat’s working committee and became the representative of the Coorg State. He conceptualized and organized the Vasanta Sahityotsava (the spring festival of literature) every year. In the name of this festival, many stalwarts of Kannada literature like BM Shri, TP Kailasam, GP Rajaratnam, AaNaKru, TaRaSu, Ta Su Shyama Rao, Shamba Joshi, Da Ra Bendre, Kuvempu, Shivarama Karanth, M Govinda Pai, and many more visited Coorg. Ananthapadmanabha Rao successfully showcased the richness of Kannada literature and set the foundation for the evolution of Kannada literature amongst the people of Coorg State.
 * Working with the Stalwarts

Ananthapadmanabha Rao also invested his time in organizing many other literary programmes like the Navaratri Utsava at the Madikeri Vedanta Sangha and Shrimadaanjaneya Temple, Ramotsava Literature festival and so on. Within a short span of time he became the cultural ambassador of Coorg.

During these days Ananthapadmanabha Rao, invited Shri Masti Venkatesh Iyengar to Somwarpet for a literature programme. Masti agreed, however on a condition that he would visit the place only if there was a Kannada Sangha established. Ananthapadmanabha Rao, with the support of coffee planter ''Shri. Chandrappa'', established the Somwarpet Kannada Sangha over night. ''Shri. Chakradana Murthy'' became the first Secretary. Eventually Masti Venkatesh Iyengar was welcomed graciously at Somwarpet. This historical incident became one of the stepping stones in the evolution of Kannada literature in the State of Coorg.
 * Invitation to Masti Venkatesh Iyengar

Coorg, in the later days became a Part C State and was granted the status of Independent State, for the first time forming an independent legislative assembly. Ananthapadmanabha Rao, was appointed as the Kannada Reporter in the Independent Coorg Legislative Assembly. He was later appointed as the Secretary of the Coorg wing of Sangeetha Nataka Academy
 * Association with Sangeetha Nataka Academy

Ananthapadmanabha Rao, the Gamaki
People from different walks of life attended the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana (Literature Conference) held in 1932. Poets, Laureates, Gamakis participated in the event. As part of the event, “Gamaka Bhageeratha”, '''Shri. Kalale Sampathkumaracharya performed “Kaavya Vachana” or “Gamaka Vachana”''' for 3 consecutive days. Inspired by this performance, Ananthapadmanabha Rao was drawn towards to the art of Gamaka. Till this time, Ananthapadmanabha Rao was a Harikatha artiste. He had also composed the “Jadabharatha Upakhayana” (a piece of poetry) specifically for the Harikatha aspirants. Gamaka, the new art form drew his attention and interest. Ananthapadmanabha Rao started learning Gamaka on his own. In the later days he admitted himself as a pupil of '''Gamaka Vidwan Shri. Krishnagiri Krishna Rao''' and mastered the art of Gamaka.

Soon, he won the hearts of the people of Coorg with this Gamaka performances and gained immense reputation. He was fondly called as “Bharata Vaachana Swamy” (The master of Bharata Vachana) by the people of Coorg. Scholars like ''Shri. DL Narasimha Charya'' visited Coorg, all the way from Mysore only to relish the Gamaka performance of Ananthapadmabha Rao, in particular his rendition of the Rannana Gadhayuddha.

In the year 1942, he started to teach Gamaka to the aspiring students and contributed to the development and survival of the art form. Ananthapadmanabha Rao had a special interest in Hindustani ragas. He used to tune the poems in ragas like Bhairavi, Desh, Thilang, Kaambodh, Bheempalas and so on and teach the students.

Poet Shri. D R Bendre was one of the biggest admirers of Ananthapadmanabha Rao as a Gamaki. On the occasion of Bendre’s 50th birthday, he invited Ananthapadmanabha Rao to his house to perform Kavya Vachana and encouraged him.

Rashtrakavi Shri. Kuvempu once said “you have the blessings of Krishnagiri Krishna Rao. You are just not a singer, but you are the cuckoo of Coorg (Kodagina Kogile)”.

Later, in the year 1983, Ananthapadmanabha Rao became the president of the first ever state level Gamaka Sammelana (Gamaka Conference) organized by the Karnataka Gamaka Kala Parishat. He was honored with the title of “Gamaka Rathnakara”.

Literary works of Ananthapadmanabha Rao
Short Stories
 * Doddanchina Seere


 * Nammadalla


 * Ayyo Bhoota


 * Gopu Maduve


 * Putta Kittana Guttu


 * Kalavida


 * Head Munshi

Drama
 * Shrungiya Shaapa


 * Devammaaji


 * Shava Samskaara

Kaavya
 * Mahatma Kabir – composed in Bhamini Shatpadi, published in the Chamaraja Nagar’s “Kadambari Sangraha”


 * Kaveri Kathamrutham – in the Sarala Ragale style of poetry


 * Karna (Preamble by Shri. B M Shri) – This was given the status of a text book in the then Madras University.


 * Ramakrishna Paramahamsa


 * Tulasi Ramayana (Kannada Translation of Ramacharita Maanas by Shri. Tulasi Das) with a preamble by Shri. DVG. Shri. Shamanna, Ananthpadmanabha Rao’s friend’s father suggested to translate the Hindi Ramacharita Manas to Kannada. Ananthapadmanabha Rao replied saying “I do not know Hindi, neither do I excel in Sanskrit. How can I translate this great piece of work?” Shri. Shamanna, who had an expertise in Hindi language, pursuing his suggestion, started to spend every day with Ananthapadmanabha Rao, reading out 5 verses a day and explaining the meaning of it. With the notes made during these daily meetings, Ananthapadmanabha Rao eventually translated the epic Ramacharita Maanas and composed the “Tulasi Ramayana” in the Vardhaka Shatpadi style containing more than 2500 poems.


 * Shri Krishna Charitamrutam – in the Vardhaka Shatpadi style of Poetry
 * Shri Madhwacharita Maanasa – in the Vardhaka Shatpadi style of Poetry
 * Vishwamithra

Poetry
 * Brindavana


 * Kanike


 * Guru Keertana Mala

Bruhat Kavya (Magnum Opus of Ananthapadmanabha Rao)
 * Karnata Bharata Kathamanjari (Kumaravyasa’a unfinished last 8 parvas of Mahabharata, containing more than 8000 poems. This is in the Bhamini Shatpadi style of Poetry)

Awards and Honors

 * Mysore’s Devaraja Bahaddur Datti Award in 1952 for his work, Tulasi Ramayana


 * Kannada Sahitya Academy Award for the Year 1977 – 78


 * Gamaka Ratnakara honor by the Karnataka Gamaka Kala Parishat in the year 1983

Audio Cassette
In the year 2000, Shri. Madikeri Nagendra released "Yatiwara Banda Raghavendra" music album consisting of songs composed by Ananthapadmanabha Rao under his direction. While he was the singer and music composer of the Album, Shri. Tirumale Srinivas had composed the background music. Shri. Paneesh Rao had produced this music album under the Parimala Creations banner.

Last Days
Ananthapadmanabha Rao passed away on 29th November 1987. Kannada scholars like G T Narayana Rao, B S Gopalakrishna, V S Ramakrishna and many others, through their articles and works rendered their tribute and gratitude for what Gamaka Vidwan Shri. M S Ananthapadmanabha Rao had given to the field of Kannada Literature and Gamaka.