NEWS – Na D’Souza, a renowned Kannada writer, passed away

ABOUT

Early Life and Education

• Birth: Born on June 6, 1937, in Sagar.
• Family Background: Originated from Murudeshwar in Uttara Kannada district; parents migrated to Sagar for stone-carving work.
• Education: Completed intermediate education at Sahyadri College in Shivamogga.

Career

• Early Career: Worked as a second division typist and first-division clerk in the Sharavathi project at Kargal, Mastikatte, Thirthahalli, and Sagar.
• Retirement: Retired after serving in various administrative roles.

Literary Contributions

• Authored Works: D’Souza wrote 46 novels, numerous short stories, plays, and children’s stories.
• Notable Award: His children’s story “Mulugadeya Oorige Bandavaru” won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.
• Presidency: In 2014, he presided over the 80th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Madikeri.

Themes and Inspirations

• Regional Transformation: His works depicted the transformation of the Sahyadri region and the struggles of the Malnad people.
• Social Issues: He often focused on the hardships of local communities, especially during significant events like the construction of the Linganamakki dam and the submergence of Sharavathi valley.
• Railway and Quarry Struggles: Actively participated in the railway struggle in Sagar and opposed stone quarrying in Malnad.

Advocacy and Protest

• Opposition to Sharavathi Water Diversion: D’Souza led protests against the government’s proposal to divert Sharavathi water to Bengaluru, calling it an unscientific project.

Cinematic Adaptations

• Films: His works, Dweepa and Kadina Benki, were adapted into films.