Moodbidri: The honouring of centenarian litterateur Vidwan B Chandraiah with the Chavundaraya Endowment Award is a powerful reminder that there is no age limit for literary service, said retired High Court judge Justice Padmaraja Nemichandra Desai.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Chavundaraya and Dr Siddalingaiah Endowment Award presentation ceremony organised by the Kannada Sahitya Parishat at Sri Krishnaraja Parishat Mandir in Bengaluru.
The ceremony recognised the contributions of senior writers and researchers who have made significant contributions to Kannada literature and the preservation of literary traditions.
Centenarian Chandraiah honoured
The state-level Chavundaraya Award for 2024, along with a cash prize, was conferred on senior litterateur and centenarian Vidwan B Chandraiah.
Chandraiah was recognised for his contribution to modern Kannada literature through works based on ancient Jain literary traditions. His efforts to bring classical Jain literature to contemporary Kannada readers have earned him recognition within literary circles.
The Chavundaraya Award for 2025 was presented to D N Akki of Vijayapura.
Senior Bengaluru-based litterateur and researcher Dr H R Swami was honoured with the Dr Siddalingaiah Literary Endowment Award for his contribution to literature and research.
Justice Desai said Chandraiah’s recognition at the age of 100 demonstrated that dedication to literature could continue throughout one’s life.
The award was also seen as an acknowledgement of Chandraiah’s decades-long engagement with Kannada literary and cultural activities.
Chandraiah recalls wife Sarojini
Speaking after receiving the award, Vidwan B Chandraiah expressed deep satisfaction at being honoured for his literary service at the age of 100.
He said receiving the Chavundaraya Award was particularly meaningful because his wife, Sarojini, had been extremely happy when she learnt about the honour.
However, she passed away just a day before the award ceremony.
Recalling the emotional moment, Chandraiah said he accepted the situation with the detachment taught in the Bhagavad Gita and expressed happiness that he was able to fulfil his wife’s wish.
During the event, he also sang ‘Udayavayithu ondu goodithu harida hirimeya Kannada’, a song of hope that he had written while working with the Khadi Commission in Madikeri during the Kannada Rajyotsava period.
His recollection of the song and his late wife added an emotional dimension to the award ceremony.
Unique contribution to Jain literature
Gamaki scholar Tekkekere Subrahmanya Bhat introduced the awardees and spoke about their literary achievements.
He particularly highlighted Chandraiah’s contribution to Jain literature and noted his work of translating Ratnakaravarni’s ‘Bharatesha Vaibhava’ from Sangatya into Bhamini Shatpadi.
Bhat said Chandraiah’s continued literary service even during his twilight years was exemplary and demonstrated his lifelong commitment to Kannada literature.
The recognition is particularly significant because Chandraiah’s work has helped connect ancient Jain literary traditions with modern Kannada literary expression.
His contributions demonstrate how classical texts and themes can be preserved and presented in literary forms accessible to contemporary readers.
Siddalingaiah’s life remembered
Professor Rajappa Dalavayi of the Kannada Study Centre at Bengaluru University, who was the chief guest, presented the awards.
Speaking about Dr Siddalingaiah, Dalavayi said the life of the noted writer and social thinker, who played an important role in opposing and helping bring an end to the Ajalu practice, was like an adventurous song.
The Dr Siddalingaiah Literary Endowment Award has been instituted to recognise individuals whose work reflects the values of human dignity and social responsibility.
Endowment donor Ramakumari Siddalingaiah explained the purpose behind the award and said it was intended to honour achievers who had worked towards human dharma and humanity.
Awardees D N Akki and Dr H R Swami also shared their thoughts during the programme.
Chandraiah recognised for lifelong service
Endowment donor, retired newspaper editor and writer Dr Padmaraja Dandavati delivered the keynote address.
He observed that Chandraiah was being recognised for his contribution, although the honour had come somewhat belatedly.
The comments highlighted the importance of recognising literary contributions regardless of age and ensuring that the work of senior scholars continues to receive public attention.
The award ceremony also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the continuing contribution of writers and researchers who have dedicated decades to Kannada literature.
Parishat administrative officer K A Dayananda presided over the function and delivered the introductory remarks.
The programme began with the state anthem. Shanthakumari K R welcomed the gathering, while Dhananjay of Chandana channel compered the event and proposed the vote of thanks.
Moodbidri Jain Math seer felicitates Chandraiah
Chandraiah’s association with Jain literary and cultural institutions was also recalled during the occasion.
Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Panditacharyavarya Swami of Sri Jain Math, Moodbidri, where Chandraiah had served as a teacher, congratulated him on receiving the prestigious Chavundaraya Award.
The seer highlighted Chandraiah’s unique contribution to Jain literature and his long-standing association with the Jain Math.
A week before the award presentation, the seer had visited Chandraiah’s residence in Bengaluru and felicitated Chandraiah and his wife Sarojini.
On the occasion, he also recalled Chandraiah’s long service as the editor of the Jain Math’s monthly magazine ‘Vivekabhyudaya’.
The felicitation recognised not only Chandraiah’s literary achievements but also his longstanding association with Jain educational and cultural activities.
The Chavundaraya Award to a centenarian writer thus became a celebration of a lifetime devoted to Kannada and Jain literature. Chandraiah’s recognition at the age of 100 reinforced the message that literary creativity and service can continue across generations, while his emotional tribute to his late wife Sarojini added a deeply personal dimension to the occasion.