She was a scholar, professor, story writer, poet and dramatist all rolled into one, which makes her different from many contemporary writers.
Kamala Hampana. (Supplied)
Kamala Hampana, a renowned Dalit writer, breathed her last in the wee hours of Saturday. She leaves behind her husband, eminent writer Hampana and three children.
A prolific writer, Kamalamma, as she was fondly called, contributed extensively to Dalit literature and was always at the forefront of Dalit and Women’s Movements. 89-year-old Kamalamma was a treasure trove of knowledge and was strongly influenced by her husband, Hampa Nagarajaiah, a great Jain scholar. Jainism became her life, too.
Kamalamma wrote extensively in Kannada and English. She was a scholar, professor, story writer, poet, and dramatist, all rolled into one, which makes her different from many contemporary writers.
She was born in Devanahalli, near Bangalore, on 28 October 1935. Her early environs attuned her to music and a rich cultural environment since childhood. Having lost her father at an early age, their lives were reduced to poverty and struggle. Despite these challenges, she completed her Masters. She started as a Kannada teacher and worked as a Principal at the Government First Grade College, Vijayanagar, Bangalore and then was a Professor at the Maharani’s College, Mysore and Bangalore and the Maharaja’s College, Mysore.
After retirement, she worked as a Professor in the Department of Jainism at Mysore University and was a visiting professor at Hampi University.
Renowned author Hampa Nagarajaiah was her classmate and, later, her husband and constant companion. In a German documentary on ideal couples by filmmaker Yassameen, they were chosen as the “best compatible couple working in the same profession.” They were a “made for each other” perfect teacher couple—“jugalbandi,” as some friends called them. Among her contemporaries were greats like Aa Ra Mitra and MH Krishnaiah.
Kamalamma has more than 60 works published in her name. Among them, “Sukumara History Collection”, “Bharatesh Vaibhava”, and “Sahasrabhisheka” come to mind. Her groundbreaking work on Jaina literature is highly acclaimed. She also published nine research documents, including “Adharsha Jaina Mahileyaru.”
This book is about the lesser-known Jain women who impacted Jain society and women of those times. She was conferred a PhD for her thesis on Turanga Bharata—Ondu Adhyayana. Mahaveer’s Life Message is about Mahaveer, who became the 24th Thirthankara.
Her books for children were simple and fun to read and, hence, popular. Her books on the lives of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Akkamahadevi, Obbavva, and “Makkalodane Mathukathe” are well known.
Her English books, “Jainism and Other Essays” and “Attimabbe and Chalukyas,” are read with great interest. Her thesis on the 18th-century poet Paramadeva was well acclaimed academically. “Kamala Priya” is a rare vachana by a contemporary writer.
She has a compilation of short stories to ber credit. “Nekkitu Haalina Battalu,” “Rekke Muriditthu,” “Chandana,” and “Bavane” reflect her versatility in literature.
She undertook serious studies and research in various genres of Kannada literature. Her autobiography, Beru Benki Bilalu, is a much sought-after book for its truthfulness and humility. “Jaathi Nirmoolane” is a translation of Dr. Ambedkar’s “Annihilation of Caste.”
Her books depict various faces of life, especially those of women, and are stored in nine volumes for posterity.
Kamala was the first Kannada scholar to participate in international conferences.
She has been honoured with the Attimabbe Award, Rajyotsava Award, Kittoor Rani Award, Chenamma Award, Baba Amte Award, and Nadoja Award, among other accolades. She was the Chairperson of the 71st Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelan.
Kamala Hampana was a rare gem of Kannada literature. Her numerous achievements in various genres of literature are unparalleled. She led her life to the fullest, fulfilling all her dreams and gave Kannada literature precious writings that will be read by generations.
