Act 1
<The screen shows the foggy and misty hills of Karnataka and zooms into a portion of the land where Kuvempu was born>
Narrator:
On December 29, 1904, Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa, also known by his pen name Kuvempu, was born in Hirekodige, Koppa Taluk, Chikmagalur.
We request each of you to put yourself in this great poet’s shoes and reminisce about his journey through your own eyes.
<Lights go off and come back on, signifying a blink>
<A student walks in from the audience dressed as a young Kuvempu as the projector shows a pre-recorded, point of view video, of what the student can see>
<The screen shows a green pasture where young Kuvempu is walking towards his mother, Seethamma, and Venkatappa are ploughing the field>
Kuvempu:
Appa, what are you and Amma doing up so early in the fields?
Venkatappa:
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that an early bird catches the worm.
Seethamma:
Putta, your English teacher, Mr Moses, is coming all the way from Canara to teach you at home. Please greet and welcome him home.
Kuvempu:
Okay Amma.
<Just then, Venkatappa holds his chest, gasps for air, and falls in the field.>
Kuvempu:
<Rushes to his father>
Appa, Appa, what happened?!
<Lights fade>
Narrator:
And just like that, with the passing of his beloved father, Venkatappa, a twelve-year-old Kuvempu received the baton and began to shoulder the responsibilities his mother, Seethamma, gave him.
Act 2
<Kuvempu sits in a library surrounded by books and reads>
Narrator:
Kuvempu internalised his deep feelings about his father’s passing through a little outlet known as literature. He extensively read Wadsworth and Keats. Thereby gave him his deep interest in the art form.
<Fade>
<Lights dim to depict a flashback sequence>
Kuvempu:
Heru, tell me, do you think that art is long, and time is fleeting?
<Mr Moses ponders, and his lips curve into a smile>
Maybe. Mr Henry Wadsworth certainly thinks so.
<Kuvempu learning English on sand from Mr Moses>
<Lights flicker>
A frozen frame of young Kuvempu winning first in elocution.
<Fade>
<Lights come back on to signify present day>
<The scene transitions to an older Kuvempu sitting in his Kupali house at Sahyadri Hills, reminiscing about his past with a smile>
<The song Kannadada Kuladevi plays in the background>
<Fade>
<Kuvempu bids adieu to Mr Moses, wears a school uniform, and goes to Thirthahalli to further his studies>
Narrator:
Kuvempu began his poetic work in English, a language in which he felt most comfortable.
One of his pieces was shared with James Cousins, an Irishman, who was immensely impressed by his poetic masterpieces.
Kuvempu:
It’s an absolute honour to meet you.
James Cousins:
I can proudly say that I’m one of your biggest admirers. But I would love your prose and poems even more if they were expressed in your mother tongue. And like Rabindranath Tagore, your authenticity will not get lost in translation. And attain international acclaim.
<Kuvempu thinks self-critically>
James Cousins:
I didn’t say that to dishearten you; you are meant for greatness, there’s no doubt. But Indian languages, much like your native clothing, accurately describe feelings and emotions that the Western way simply waters down.
Kuvempu:
<Ponders in thought>
Narrator:
This profound moment changed the course of history for Kuvempu.
<Lights flicker>
<An older Kuvempu acts as a character in his play Birugalli>
<Kuvempu sits in his Udayaravi house and rolls back the years fondly>
Narrator:
Kuvempu did his final years of schooling at Wesleyan and then his master’s degree at Mysore University, where he later became a professor.
<Lights brighten>
<Kuvempu writes with Rabindranath Tagore>
Narrator:
Kuvempu enjoyed writing children’s books and novels; his work on Bommanahalliya Kindarijogi is still taught in schools.
<Lights flicker>
Narrator:
He even made a movie along with director Girish Karnad, named Kanooru Heggadathi.
<Lights brighten>
Narrator:
Kuvempu then wrote an epic named Shri Ramayana Darshanam.
<Lights fade>
Narrator:
This poet, playwright, novelist, and critic spent many years in meditation. As a freethinker, he was more of a universal being who did not serve the royalty.
<The spotlight points at Kuvempu>
Kuvempu:
Fame is an evil that silently follows the successful.
Narrator:
In 1955, he became the principal of Maharaja College and the vice-chancellor of Mysore University.
<The Bhavageethe – Sundara dina inna sundara vana playin in the background, and crescendos>
Narrator:
He tirelessly worked to unite Kannada-speaking folks of India.
This Rajyotsava, let’s take a moment to remember and honour the Rashtrakavi who won the first Jnanpith Award, Karnataka Ratna, Padma Vibushan, and coined the state anthem Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate himself, Dr Kuvempu.
