M. K. Indira

Mandagadde Krishnarao Indira (5 January 1917 – 15 March 1994) was a well-known Indian novelist in the Kannada language. Her works include Phaniyamma, which won various awards. She began writing novels at the age of forty-five. Some of her novels were made into movies.

Early life and education Indira was born on 5 January 1917 to T. Suryanarayana Rao, a prosperous agriculturist and Banashankaramma in Thirthahalli, in the Kingdom of Mysore of British India. Her native village was Narasimharajapura in Chikmagalur district.

Her formal education lasted for seven years, before she married at age twelve to M. Krishna Rao. She studied Kannada poetry and also had a good knowledge of Hindi literature. This novel has been a subject matter of discussion in many books related to feminism. Indira has written more than fifty novels.

Gejje Pooje was made into a film by director Puttanna Kanagal in 1969. Phaniyamma was made into a film by the director Prema Karanth, won many international awards. Indira's other novels made into films are Hoobana (Mutthu ondu Mutthu), Giribale, Musuku and Poorvapara.

Honors and awards Indira's novels, Tungabhadra, Sadananda, Navaratna and Phaniyamma have won the Kannada Sahitya Akademi awards.

Novels and Short stories

Sadananda Tungabhadra Gejjepooje Phaniyamma Giribale Madhuvana Mana Tumbida Madadi Hennina Akankshe Thaapadinda Thampige Bramhachari Kaladarshi Shantidhama Navaratna Ambarada Apsare Nagabeku Navajeevana Pavaada Kalpana Vilasa Dashavatara Susvagatha Baadigege Kathegara Abharana Mane Kottu Nodi Kanyakumari Rasavaahini Naagaveena Aathmasakhi Doctor Tapovanadalli Chidvilasa Jaathi Kettavalu Sukhaanta Yaru Hithavaru Hoobana Puttanna Kanagal Varnaleele Hasivu Bidige Chandrama Donku Koopa Koochu Bhatta Jaala Gunda Musuku Kavalu Mohanamaale Anubhava Kunja Noorondu Baagilu Taggina Mane Seethe Poorvapara Hamsagana Thaalidavaru Manomandira Vichitra Prema Onde Nimisha Pournami Bhaava Bandhana

Movies based on Indira's novels

Personal life She died at the age of 77. M K Indira is younger sister of journalist T S Ramachandra Rao, better known as TSR of Choobaana (ಛೂಬಾಣ).