A. N. Krishna Rao

Arakalagudu Narasingarao Krishna Rao (9 May 1908 – 8 July 1971), popularly known as Anakru, was an Indian writer. He is one of the best-known writers in the Kannada-language and was popularly known as Kadambari Sarvabhouma (lit, "Universal monarch of Novels"). The inception of the Pragatishila ("progressive") movement in Kannada literature is credited to him. He received an honorary doctorate from the Mysore University and is also a recipient of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award.

Life Anakru was born on 9 May 1908 in the town of Kolar of the erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore (in present-day Karnataka, India). to Narasinga Rao (father) and Annapoornamma (mother). The family traces its roots to Arkalgud town in the Hassan district of Karnataka. At the start of his career, he edited literary Kannada magazines such Katha Manjari and Vishva Vani. He was also an editor of the Kannada Sahitya Parishath's publication Kannada Nudi ("Kannada speech"). Anakru was nominated as the president of 42nd Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Manipal. He came up with themes that formed a new movement in itself, called Pragatishila ("progressive"). Anakru saw literature as an instrument of social change. Influenced by Anakru, other promising writers such as Ta Ra Su (T.R. Subba Rao), Basavaraj Kattimani and Anupama Niranjana wrote novels that belonged to the Pragatishila genre. To defend his theme, Anakru wrote in his work Sahitya mattu kama prachodane ("Literature and the propagation of lust"): "If telling the truth is vulgar, then I am a vulgar writer. If the act of covering with a cloth, a downtrodden helpless naked woman on the street is vulgar, then I am a vulgar writer". One of Anakru's most popular novels Sandhyaraaga belonged to this theme and narrates of the life of a dedicated musician while contrasting him with his mean brother. a Kannada movie based on this novel in 1966 received critical acclaim. This same novel motivated Beechi, one of the great Kannada humorist, to contribute to Kannada literature. Other notable novels written by Anakru with on theme are the Mia Malhar, Udayaraga, Sahitya Ratna and Vijayanagara Samrajya (11 novels).

Awards and honours

President of the 43rd Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Manipal Sahitya Akademi Karnataka State award. Honorary Doctorate in Literature from Mysore University

Writings Novel

Kalankini Amara August Kamini Kanchana Bannada Baduku Hosilu Datida Hennu Deva Priya Rukmini Shani Santhana Sandhyaraaga Kannadammanna Gudiyalli Amrutha Manthana Pankaja Marjala Sanyasi Kasthuri Aashirwada Anugraha Bhoomigilidu Banda Bhagavanta Enakshi Chitrakale Adrushta Nakshatra Janatha Janardhana Vishwa Bandhu Basavanna Eedari Aadhari Sangrama Tayiya Karulu Shubha Samaya Yaariguntu Yaarigilla Kabbinada Kaage Natasarvabhowma Nidumaamidi Sannidhiyavaru Kannina Gombe Maralu Mane Samadarshana Udayaraga Nara Narayana Punaravatara Hengarulu Deeparadhane Sangrama Dhureena Parivarthane Bhuvana Mohini Huliyuguru (Vol 1–3) Gajina Mane Narabali Maneyalli Mahayuddha Rana Vikrama Sarthaka Sahitya Sahitya Samaradhana Kattida Banna Kagadada Hoo Muyyige Muyyee Daadiya Maga Akkayya Abhayapradhana Mattu Tejobhanga Nagna Sathya Hennu Janma Jeevanadhi Abhimana Sanje Gathalu Sakidha Aliya Kulaputra Taayi Makkalu Annadatha Chitra Vichitra Ratna Deepa Kalavidha Bhumi Tayi Chiranjeeve Stree Mukha Vyaghra Hosa Suggi Aparanji Roopashree Kanneeru Bhagyadha Baagilu Arulu Marulu Honne Modhalu Keerthi Kalasha Hosa Huttu Gruhalakshmi Hegadharu Badhukona Mudimallige Barahagarana Baduku Kunkuma Prasada Dharmapathni Garuda Machee Vijaya Vidyaranya Mattu Thapobala [Vijayanagara seris – Harihara, bukka, Harihara II] Punya Prabhava Mattu Prouda Prathapi [Vijayanagara Seris – Devaraya – I, Devaraya – II] Mohana Murari Mattu Yashodundhubhi [Vijayanagara Seris – Saluva Narasimha, Sri Krishnadevaraya ] Abhaya Pradhana Mattu Tejobhanga [Vijayanagara Seris – Sri Krishnadevaraya, Sri Achyutadevaraya ] Aaliya Ramaraya Mattu Pralayananthara [Vijayanagara Seris – Viajyanagara downfall, Araveedu Dynasty] Veerashiva Sahithya Mattu Samskruthi Aparajethe Bhamamani Miya Malhar Panjarada Gini Jathaka Pakshi Papiya Nele Gowri Sumuhurtha Jeevana Yatre Srimathi Natasarvabhowma Kanchana Ganga Anna Thangi Kaalachakara

Play

A Na Krishnarayara Pouranika Natakagalu A Na Krishnarayara Samajika Natakagalu A Na Krishnarayara Ithihasika Natakagalu

Criticism

Kannada Kularasikaru Sahitya Ratna Bharateeya Kala Darshana Sajeeva Sahitya Nataka Kale Sahitya Mattu Kamaprachodane Karnatakada Hitha Chinthane Sahitya Mattu Jeevana Bharateeya Samskruthi Darshana Samskrutiya Vishvarupa A Na Kru Avara Samagra Veerashaiva Sahitya Bharateeya Chitrakaleyalli Raja Ravivarmana Sthana Kannada Sahitya Mattu Samskruti Sahitya Mattu Yugadharma

Biography

Bharathada Bapu Karnatakadha KalavidharuKailasam Deenabandhu Kabeera Sri Basavannanavara Amritavani Allamaprabhu Kannada Kula RasikaruAutobiographyAmara Chetana Barahagarana Baduku Mathu Nannannu Naane KandeChildren's booksShree Krishnadevaraya : Kannada Nadu Mattu Kannadegara Parpampare Kempegowda – Kannada Nadu Mattu Kannadigara Parampare Sarvagna Kavi – Kannada Nadu Mattu Kannadigara Parampare Yalahanka Bhupaala Sundharu SamsaraReligion & OtherBhagavadgeetaarthasaaraShort Story'''Neelalochane Mattu Ithara KathegaluA Na Kru Avara Samagra Katha Sankalana''