Bengaluru: Kamala Hampana, renowned Kannada writer and scholar, breathed her last on Friday night. The 88-year-old author succumbed to a cardiac arrest at her daughter’s home in the city, leaving behind a legacy that has profoundly impacted Kannada literature and culture.
Born in 1935 in Devanahalli, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, Kamala Hampana’s journey in the world of letters began at Mysore University, where she completed her master’s degree and PhD in Kannada literature. Her academic career saw her teaching at various government first-grade colleges in Bengaluru before taking up visiting professorships at Mysore and Hampi universities.
While Hampana’s oeuvre spanned fiction and poetry, it was her pioneering research in Jaina literature that truly set her apart. Her scholarly pursuits in ancient Kannada literature and Jainology broke new ground, earning her recognition as a formidable literary critic. Her prolific writing career encompassed an autobiography, four short story collections, two compilations of vachanas, and three radio plays. Additionally, she edited and translated numerous works, including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s seminal text “Annihilation of Caste.”
Her commitment to Kannada literature reached its pinnacle when she presided over the 71st Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Moodabidri in 2003.
The Karnataka government recognized her outstanding contributions with the prestigious Rajyotsava Prashasti, while Hampi University bestowed upon her the honorary doctorate of Nadoja. These accolades were among the many she received throughout her illustrious career.
In a final act of generosity, Kamala Hampana donated her body to Ramaiah Medical College, embodying her lifelong commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of society. Her mortal remains have been placed at Ravindra Kalakshetra for the public to pay their respects.
Kamala Hampana is survived by her husband, fellow writer and scholar Prof. Hampa Nagarajaiah, two daughters, and a son.Â
