Born in 1902, Dr. Kota Shivarama Karanth did his Higher Secondary Education in South Kanara District of Kamataka. He gave up his collegiate education to participate in the non-cooperation movement during 1921-22 and worked as an active Congress worker dunng 1922-25. He is a multi-faceted genius having given his contributions in the fields of literature, journal ism, fine arts and performing arts, (He is an authority on Yakshagana) Photography etc. He was the editor of the early Kannada Magazines Vasantha and Vichara Vani He is a very prolific writer having written over 390 books -45 novels, several dramas, essays, treatises etc. His major contributions are an encyclopaedia for children in 3 volumes, a popular Science encyclopaedia in 4 volumes and an encyclopaedia on world arts He has chaired the prestigious Kannada Sahitya Sammelana and has been a distinguished Fellow of the Sangeetha Natak Academy and Sahitya Academy Amongst the several titles received by him are Padmabhushan (1968) which he returned in 1975 as a protest against Emergency, and D. Litts, (Hon Mysore, Karnataka, Mangalore. Meerut and Jaba Universities. He is recipient of the Jnanpith Award lot Novel "Mookajjiya Kanasugalu, and many more recognitions.
"Here goes the narrative of a person who sets on an adventure into his unseen future He wants to understand things that come in his way and tries his hand in all things that he feels interested. Failures teach him as much as successes. In discovering the world around him, he discovers himself as to what he is good for and what he is not. The panorama of his experience is vast and rich."
This English version of my Kannada autobiography appears after four decades. The venture to get it translated into English was mainly due to the enthusiasm of Sri Mathoor Krishna Murti, Executive Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London. Had it not been for the willing co-operation of Sri H. Y. Sharada Prasad of New Delhi, it would not have been possible. He, a long-time friend of mine, had rendered two Kannada novels of mine into English earlier. He needs no introduction from me as he is wellknown to the Kannada people as well also to readers in English.
The job of typing the English manuscript was done with speed and efficiency by my neighbour, care-taker and helper Mrs. Malini Mallya. Since I changed my residence from Puttur to Saligrama two decades ago, she has been taking care of me as well as my late wife who was also aged like me and a sick person. But, Mrs. Malini's care- taking and literary services were always there for the mere wishing. Though she is serving in the Life Insurance Corporation of India as a Stenographer.
When the typescript was ready, Sri Krishnamurti desired it to be published by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. They published some excerpts of the English version of this autobiography in their "Bhavan's Journal last year. Now, they have undertaken to publish this book. I am thankful for the interest Sri S. Ramakrishnan, who is the Executive Secretary and Director-general of the Bhavan, showed in getting this book published. Even before a publisher was found, my friend Sri S. Narayana Rao of Pragathi Printers, Shimoga, caught sight of the English script and got it composed and thus helped in the speedy completion of the printing process. So, I am obliged to acknowledge the services of all these well-wishers of mine as a matter of duty which I do with humility.
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