Pratibha Nandakumar

Pratibha Nandakumar (born 25 January 1955) is an Indian poet, journalist, feminist, columnist and activist who works in Kannada and English. She is considered as one of the pioneers of modern woman's poetry in Kannada literature. For her work Kavadeyaata, Pratibha was awarded the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry in 1998.

Personal life Pratibha was born on 25 January 1955 in Bangalore to Ramachandrarao and Yamunabai. An alumna of Madras University, Pratibha married to Nandakumar and they have a son and daughter.

Career

As poet Pratibha published her first work, Naavu Hudugiyare Heege , a collection of poems in 1979, was considered path-breaking literary work by many. ‛Ee Tanaka’, ‛Rastheyanchigina Gaadi’, ‛Yaana’, ’Akramana’ and others.

Media and theatre works Pratibha has worked as journalist, columnist and special correspondent for leading newspapers including Indian Express, Deccan Herald and Bangalore Mirror.

Pratibha is known for her experimental works in theatre. She organised a unique way of presenting poems with the performance of the poets, called ‛Ondu Lessu Ondu Plassu’, which was well received. She also experimented Teredashte Bagilu, a literary work of Jayanth Kaikini, into multi-media installation, an art form.

Literary works Poetry Navu Hudugiyare Heege Ee Tanaka Rasteyanchina Gaadi Kavadeyaata Aha! Purushakaram Cowboys Mattu Kama Purana Mudukiyarigidu Kaalavalla Coffee House Erotica Essays Nimmi (2000) Mirchi Masala (2001)

Short Fiction Akramana (1997) Yaana (1997)

Autobiography Anudinada Antharagange

Accolades Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry (1998) Shivarama Karantha Prashasti (1996) Mahadevi Verma Kavya Samman (2003) Hoogar Memorial Award for Journalism (2006)