Google dedicates doodle to Kannada legend Kuvempu to mark his 113th birthday

Google dedicated its doodle to renowned 20th century Kannada poet, novelist, thinker, philosopher and humanist Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa aka Kuvempu to mark his 113th birth anniversary on Friday.

According to Google's blog, "known more famously by his pen name Kuvempu, he is considered one of the greatest Kannada writers of his time. The Kannada language is spoken mainly in Kuvempu's home state of Karnataka, and he strongly advocated for it to be the main medium of education."

The doodle, illustrated by Upamanyu Bhattacharyya (and Swati Shelar, who helped with the Kannada lettering), shows Kuvempu surrounded by nature in his beloved home.

"Kuvempu's poem featured above is 'Poovu' (The Flower), rhapsodizing on the beauty of the poet's natural surroundings. Kuvempu loved his writing to reflect the simple wonder of the world around him, especially flowers," the blog further explained.

Born on December 29, 1904, in Kuppalli Village, Thirthahalli Taluk, Shimoga district in to a Vokkaliga Kannada family, he is the first among Kannada writers to be decorated with the prestigious Jnanpith Award.

For his contributions to Kannada Literature, the Government of Karnataka decorated him with the honorific Rashtrakavi (National Poet) in 1958 and Karnataka Ratna (Gem of Karnataka) in 1992.

His epic narrative 'Sri Ramayana Darshanam', a modern rendering of the Indian Hindu epic Ramayana, is regarded as the revival of the era of Mahakavya (Great Epic poetry) in contemporary form and charm.

His writings and his contribution to 'Universal Humanism' gives him a unique place in modern Indian literature. Kuvempu took his last breath on November 1, 1994, at the age of 89.