Anasuya Shankar (1 September 1928 – 29 July 1963) was a writer of modern fiction in the Kannada language who published 21 novels and 3 short story collections during her short life span. She used the pen name Triveni for her writings. She received the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award in 1960 for her novel Avala Mane. Her novels, Belli Moda (1967) and Sharapanjara (1971), were adapted to the silver screen by the famous director, Puttanna Kanagal. The director also adapted two of her novels to the Malayalam screen. She was one of the earliest established female writers of Kannada literature.
Anasuya Shankar – Kannada Novelist and Short Story Writer
Anasuya Shankar was born on 1 September 1928 in Chamarajapuram of the Mysore kingdom, present Karnataka. She was born to the couple, B. M. Krishnaswamy and Thangamma. She had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Anasuya was brilliant in her studies. In 1947, she completed her graduation in political science with a gold medal. In 1951, she married S. N. Shankar, an English professor at Sarada Vilas College, Mysore.
She published her first novel, Apasvara, in 1953 at the age of 25
Anasuya Shankar published her first novel two years after her marriage. In her 11-year-old career as a writer, she has published 24 books. She expressed internal emotional conflicts of women, their thoughts, and frustrations through her works, and gained popularity and fame over time.
Her published Kannada novels are Apaswara, Hoovu Hannu, Sotu Geddavalu, Bekkina Kannu, Modala Hejje, Keelu Gombe, Belli Moda, Doorada Betta, Apajaya, Mucchida Bagilu, Kankana, Mukti, Baanu Belagitu, Hrudaya Geethe, Avala Mane, Tavareya Kola, Vasantagaana, Kashi Yatre, Sharapanjara, Hannele Chiguridaga, Avala Magalu, and Doorada Betta.
Hendatiya Hesaru, Eradu Manasu, and Samasyeya Magu are her collection of short stories. Seven of her novels were adapted to the silver screen.
Triveni died at a very young age of only 34 in Mysore in the year 1963. She died of pulmonary embolism 10 days after giving birth to her daughter, Meera. She already had two miscarriages. Her house in the city was later converted to a museum.
Anasuya Shankar – Some lesser-known facts
1. Her younger sister Aryamba Pattabhi, cousin Vani, and uncle B. M. Srikantaiah are well-known writers of the Kannada language. Her sister Prabhavathi has also published books.
2. She also had another name, Bhagirathi.
3. She chose ‘Triveni’ as her pen name to show her respect towards Mahatma Gandhi. Triveni was the place where his ashes were immersed.
4. Puttanna Kanagal adapted four of her novels to the silver screen. His Malayalam films – Chettathi (1965) and Poocha Kanni (1966) were based on her novels, Hannele Chiguridaga and Bekkina Kannu respectively.
Also read: Girish Karnad – Acclaimed Playwright and Cine Personality
Recent Comments