Dr Chandrashekhara Kambara, Veteran Kannada Writer and the founder vice chancellor of Kannada University in Hampi now gets India’s highest literary Award, Jnanapith for the year 2009.
Dr Kambara born January 2, 1937, was running RSS Shakha at his native Shivapura at Belgaum district during his student days. On Ausgust 8, 2007 Dr Kamabara shared Stage along with the then RSS General Secretary Mohan Bhagwat during ‘DHYEYAYATRI ‘book release ceremony at National College Jayanagar, Bangalore. Dhyeyayatri, a book on Late. HV Sheshadri, senior RSS Pracharak and a known writer in Kannada and English. Dr Kambara had a good relationship with H V Sheshadri, hence Dr Kambara himself released the book ‘Dhyeyayatri ‘ on HV Sheshadri in Bangalore
Dr Kambara is known for his effective usage of North Karnataka dialect of Kannada language in his plays and poems and is often compared with D.R. Bendre. Dr. Kambara has been conferred with many prestigious awards including the Jnanpith Award, the Padma Shri by Government of India, Kabir Samman, Kalidas Samman and Pampa Award.
Some of Kambara’s popular plays include Aramane, Jokumaraswamy, Singaravva and Harakeya Kuri. He was conferred with the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1991 for another popular play Sirisampige.
Besides being a littérateur, Kambara has also been involved in film-making. He has directed a number of movies based on the plays written by him. Karimayi, Sangeeta and Kadu Kudure are some of his major films as a director. He has also adopted his play Jeeke Maastara Pranaya Prasanga for television. Kambara has produced several documentaries for the state and central governments.
Poetry
- Mugulau – 1958
- Helatena Kela – 1964
- Takararinavaru – 1971
- Saacvirada Neralu – 1979
- Aayda Kavanagalu – 1980
- Belli Meenu – 1989
- Akkakku haadugale – 1993
- EE Varegina Helatena Kela – 1993
- Chakori (Epic) – 1996
Play
- Bembattida Kannu- 1961
- Narcissus -1969
- Rishyashringa (Filmed)1970
- Jokumarawwamy 1972
- Sangya balya Anabeko Naadolaga -1975
- Kittiya Kathe 1974
- Jasisidanayaka- 1975
- Alibaba (Tanslated and Published in Indian Literature , Sahitya Academy – 1980
- Kaadu Kudure (Filmed and got National Award) 1979
- Naayi Kathe (Filmed as Sangeeta” and bagged 5 State Awards)- 1980
- Kharokhara – 1977
- Mathanthara – 1978
- Harakeya Kuri (Filmed and awarded National Award) – 1983
- Kambara Avara Natakagalu – 1984
- Sambasiva Prahasana – 1987
- Siri Sampige (Sahitya Academy Award, New Delhi, 1991)
- Huliya Neralu (Filmed) – 1980
- Boleshankara – 1991
- Pushpa Rani – 1990
- Tirukana Kanasu – 1989
- Mahamayi – 1999
- Novels and stories
- Anna Tangi – 1956
- Karimaayi (Filmed)1975
- G.K.Mastarara Pranaya Prasanga- 1986
- Singarevva mattu Aramane- 1982
Research
- Uttara Karnataka Janapada Rangabhumi -1965
- Sangya Balya – 1966
- Bannisi Hadavva Nana Balaga – 1968
- Bayalatagalu – 1973
- Matado Lingave – 1973
- Namma Janapada -1980
- Bandire Nanna Jaeyolage -1981
- Kannada Folkore Dicitionary (2 Vols) 1985
- Bedara Huduga Mattu Gilli – 1989 (State Academy of Literature Award)
- Lakshapathi Rahana Kathe – 1986
- Kasigondu Seru – 1989
- Nelada Mareya Nidhana -1993
- Brihaddesiya Chintana – 2001
- An Anthology of Modern India Plays for National School of Drama – -2000
