Dr. Chandrasekhar B. Kambar

Bio-Data of Dr. Chandrasekhar B. Kambar

Date of Birth                           : January 2, 1937

Place of Birth                         : Ghodgeri, Belgaum District- Hukkeri Taluq, Karnataka

Nationality                              : Indian                                          

Education                               : MA., Ph.D., Karnataka University, Dharwad.

Professional Career : Taught in the University of Chicago (USA) from 1968 to 1970.

              Bangalore University, Bangalore from 1970 to 1991.

Cultural Responsibilities        :  Founder-Vice-chancellor

                                                   Kannada University, Hampi.  1991-1998

  Chairman

                                                  Karnataka Nataka Academy- 1983 to 1987

                                                  National School of Drama Society, New Delhi, from 1996 – 2000

                                                 Vice-Chairman

                                                  National School of Drama Society, New Delhi, 1986                                 

                                                  Member

                                                  Karnataka Nataka Academy, 1980 to 1983

                                                  Karnataka Folklore and Yakshagana Academy, 1980 to 1983

                                                 “Rangayana”, Karnataka Repertoire, Mysore, 1987 to 1991

                                                  Sahitya Academy, New Delhi, 1988 –

                                                  Sangeet Nataka Academy, New Delhi, 1992 to 1996, 1998-                   

  Executive Member

                                                  Sahitya Academy, New Delhi, 1992 to 1998

                                                  Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi, 1992 to 1998

                                                  National School of Drama Society, New Delhi, 1995 to 1996

                                                  Theatre Expert committee, Central Government, 1995-                

  Member of Theatre Expert Committee

                                                  Ford Foundation

                                                  Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi, 1998-

                                                  Bharath Bhavan, Bhopal

 

Dr. Chandrasekhar B. Kambar  is a leading poet, playwright and folklorist in Kannada. He has published 21 Plays, 8 collections of poems, 3 novels, and 12 research books on folklore, theatre, literature and education. He has also published an epic poem called ‘Chakori’. Presented papers on Indian Folklore and Theatre in the University of Chicago, American Oriental Centre-        New York, International Theatre Institute – Berlin (GDR), Moscow (USSR), Jade: Akita Japan, many Indian Universities, Sahitya Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi and other institutions. Visited China as a member of the Indian Delegation of writers. He was also invited by the French Government to see the Avenue Theatre Festival in 1998.  Complied the Kannada Folklore Dictionary for Kannada Sahitya Parishat, 1984. His plays have been widely translated and staged in several Indian languages and also published in English by Seagull Books, Calcutta. His epic poem is translated in English and has been published by Penguin Books. Eminent Directors of the Country have produced his plays in various centres of the country. Presided over State level conference on Theatre Literature conducted by Kannada Sahitya Parishat in 1993. Participated in the World Poetry Festivals in 1985 and 1996.

Awards and Honors        

Five of his books are given awards by Karnataka Sahitya Academy. His well Known play “Jokumaraswamy” has won the “Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya” Award of  “Natya Sangh” as the best play of the year in India in 1975. His another play “Jaisidanayaka” won the                   “Vardhamaana Prasasti” as the “Best Book of the Year- 1975 in Karnataka.                               His “Saavirada Neralu” won the “Ashan Award”(Kerala) as the best collection of poems in 1982. He won the K.V.Shankare Gowda Award  for Theatre in 1990. He is the recipient of the Sangeet Nataka Academy Award, New Delhi for playwrighting in the year 1983 and Sahitya Academy Award New Delhi, for the play “Siri Sampige” in 1991.

FELICITATIONS

1.         Kannada Sahitya Parishat Vajramahotsava Festivals             …        1975

2.         Nandikar, Calcutta                                                                  …        1987

3.         Karnataka Nataka Academy                                                   …        1987

4.         Karnataka Government Rajyotsava Prasasti                           …        1988

5.         Karnataka  Sahitya Academy                                                 …        1989

6.         Sangeet Nataka Academy Award (New Delhi)                     …        1983

7.         Sahitya Academy Award for ‘Siri Sampige’ (New Delhi)     …        1991

8.         Janapada and Yakshagana Academy Award                         …        1993

9.         Maasti Prasasti                                                                        …        1997

10.       Padmashree                                                                             …        2001

11.       Kabeer Samman                                                                      …        2002

He has made 5 Feature Films and several Documentaries and composed music for 6 Feature Films, Several Documentaries and Tele Serials. His “Kaadu Kudure” entered into the Indian Panorama, in 1987 and won the National Award. His film “Sangeeta” won the 3^rd Best Feature Film State Award in the year 1981. He also won the following Awards:  

1.                  Best Story Writer

2.                  Best Dialogue Writer

3.                  Best Music Director

4.                  Best Director of the 3^rd Best Feature Film.  

He was a full bright Scholar in the year 1968-69. He was awarded the Ford Foundation Fellowship for interaction between Traditional/Folk Forms and the Modern Theatre, 1984-86. 

BOOKS PUBLISHED:

Poetry:                        1.         Mugulu –1958

2.                  Helatena Kela – 1964

3.                  Takararinavaru – 1971

(State Academy of Literature Award)

4.                  Saavirada Neralu – 1979

(Ashan Award – 1982, Kerala)

5.                  Aayda Kavanagalu – 1980

6.                  Belli Meenu – 1989

7.                  Akkakku Haadugale – 1993

8.                  EE varegina Helatena Kela – 1993

9.                  Chakori (Epic) – 1996

Plays:              1.         Bembattida Kannu – 1961

2.                  Narcissus – 1969

3.                  Rishyasringa (Filmed) – 1970

4.                  Jokumaraswamy – 1972

(Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya Award of Natya Sangha as the Best Play of the Year in India and the State Academy of Literature Award)

5.                  Chalesha – 1973

6.                  Sangya Balya Anabeko Naadolaga – 1975

7.                  Kittiya Kathe – 1974

8.                  Jaisidanayaka – 1975

State Academy of Literature Award and Vardhamana Prasasti as the best book of the year in Kannada)

9.                  Alibaba (Translated and Published in Indian Literature, Sahitya Academy) – 1980

10.              Kaadu Kudure (Filmed and got National Award) – 1976

11.              Naayi Kathe ( Filmed as ‘Sangeeta’ and bagged 5 State Awards) – 1976

12.              Kharokhara – 1977

13.              Mathanthara – 1978

14.              Harakeya Kuri (Filmed and awarded National Award) – 1983

15.              Kambara Avara Natakagalu – 1984

16.              Sambashiva Prahasana – 1987

17.              Siri Sampige (Sahitya Academy Award,

 New Delhi, 1991) – 1980

18.              Huliya Neralu – 1990

19.              Boleshankara – 1991

20.              Pushpa Rani – 1990

21.              Tukrana Kanasu – 1989

                        22.              Mahamayi – 1999  

NOVELS and STORIES:

1.                  Anna Tangi – 1956

2.                  Karimaayi (Filmed) – 1975

3.                  G.K.Mastarara Pranaya Prasanga – 1986

(Filmed for Doordarshan)

4.                  Singarevva mattu Aramane – 1982

(State Academy of Literature Award – 1982)

RESEARCH:

1.                  Uttara Karnatakada Janapada Rangabhumi – 1965

2.                  Sangya Balya – 1966

3.                  Bannisi Hadavva Nana Balaga – 1968

4.                  Bayalatagalu – 1973

5.                  Matado Lingave – 1973

6.                  Namma Janapada – 1980

7.                  Bandire Nanna Jadeyolage – 1981

8.                  Kannada Folklore Dictionary (2 Vols) – 1985

9.                  Bedara Huduga Mattu Gili – 1989

(State Academy of Literature Award)

10.              Lakshapathi Rajana Kathe – 1986

11.              Kasigondu Seru – 1989

12.              Nelada Mareya Nidhana – 1993

13.              Brihaddesiya Chintana –2001

14.   An Anthology of Modern Indian Plays for National School of Drama – 2000