P. Lankesh | |
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| Born | Palyada Lankeshappa (1935-03-08)8 March 1935 |
| Died | 25 January 2000(2000-01-25) (aged 64) Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Occupations | |
| Notable work | Kereya Nerannu Kerege Chelli (1960) Mussanjeya Katha Prasanga (1978) Kallu Karaguva Samaya (1990) |
| Spouse | Indira Lankesh |
| Children | Gauri Lankesh,Kavitha Lankesh,Indrajit Lankesh |
| Awards | National Film Award for Best Direction: 1976 Sahitya Akademi Award: 1993 |
Palya Lankesh (8 March 1935 – 25 January 2000) was an Indian poet, fiction writer, playwright, translator, screenplay writer and journalist who wrote inKannada.[1] He was also an award-winning film director.
Lankesh was born in the small village of Konagavalli inShimoga, Karnataka. After graduating with an honours degree in English from Central College atBengaluru, Lankesh completed hisMaster of Arts degree in English fromMaharaja's College, Mysore.[2][3]
His 1976 filmPallavi—a cinematic narration, told from the female protagonist's point of view and based on his novelBiruku—won the National Award for Best Direction (Swarna Kamal).[4] Lankesh quit his job as an assistant professor in English atBangalore University in 1980 and started Lankesh Patrike, the first Kannada tabloid, which influenced Kannada culture and politics.[5]
Lankesh's first work was the collection of short storiesKereya Neeranu Kerege Chelli (1963). His other works include the novelsBiruku ("The Fissure"),Mussanjeya Kathaprasanga (A Story at Dusk),Akka (Sister); the playsT. Prasannana Grihastashrama ("The Householder-hood of T.Prasanna"),[6]Sankranti ("Revolution"),[7][8] Nanna Tangigondu Gandu Kodi ("A Groom for my Sister")[9][10] andGunamukha ("Convalescence"); the short story collections,Umapatiya Scholarship Yatre ("Umapati's Scholarship Trip"),Kallu Karaguva Samaya (When the Stone Melts; winner of the 1993 Sahitya Akademi Award),Paapada Hoogalu, the translation ofCharles Baudelaire'sLes Fleurs du Mal andDore Oedipus mattu Antigone, translation of Sophocles'Antigone andOedipus Rex.[11]
Lankesh was the Editor ofLankesh Patrike from 1980 until his death in 2000.[12] A socialist andLohiaite, he was known for his secular, anti-caste and anti-Hindutva views.[13] Before starting Lankesh Patrike, he and friendsTejaswi and K.Ramadas had toured the length and breadth of Karnataka, mobilising people to vote for their new socialist party Karnataka Pragatiranga Vedike[14] This trip, he recounted in one of his editorials, which took him to the remotest parts of Karnataka opened his eyes to the plight of the poor, the Dalits and the Muslims and made him realise his responsibility as a writer and an intellectual towards the society.[15]
Lankesh Patrike was significant that It had no Advertisements.[16] Outsourcing the printing to BS Mani ofSanjevani Kannada Daily, his unique thought was His Weekly Magazine must cost as much One Idli, One Vade & One Coffee. Lankesh built a new crop of reporters, writers and freelancers, many of whom would go to set-up their own magazines.
After his death Lankesh Patrike was split into two, one edited by his daughter Gauri Lankesh and the other managed by his son Indrajit Lankesh.[17] Lankesh's other daughter is the film director Kavita Lankesh.[18]Lankesh Patrike, as the first Kannada tabloid, had a huge impact on Karnataka politics and culture. It led to the setting up of other tabloids likeHai Bangalore andAgni which concentrated more on crime and political scandals.[19]
Lankesh died of a heart attack on 25 January 2000, aged 64.[20]
17 years later, hisdaughter was murdered in front of her residence in south Bengaluru as she arrives home by three unidentified gunmen. Not yet found the reason.
Only two of his books are available in English translation,When Stone Melts and Other Stories (translation ofKallu Karaguva Samaya)[21] andSankranti.[22] His works have also been translated intoTamil andHindi.
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