by Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy

A baby boy was born to Devegowda and Channamma couple at a small village Mudigere, about a hundred years ago, in a poor family. Naturally, the father asked him to a look after the sheep he had. But the boy had other plans; he wanted to study and get educated and come to the mainstream of the society. Hence, against his father’s wishes, he joined the local school and passed the Lower Secondary examination.

This made great news in the family circles as also in the village. The boy entered into High School and passed SSLC. At that time, Mahatma Gandhi came to Channapatna and the young boy Javaregowda made it a point to see him even from a distance. He was greatly influenced by Gandhiji and decided to work for the cause of the country in his own way.

Then he went to Bangalore to study Intermediate (present PUC). He had an opportunity of going to Ramakrishna Hostel where a new vista of the literature of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Vivekananda and Gandhiji beckoned him. He wanted to go to Kolhapur but could not. Then he joined as a clerk in the Education Department. The corruption that was rampant made him leave this job.

In the meantime, he completed MA degree and rejoined as a clerk in the Secretariat and worked there for three years. At this time, he got two openings: the first one was the job of a Sub-Registrar (a lucrative job not by salary but by extra income) and the other was the job of a lecturer in University of Mysore. Friends and relatives advised him to join the Sub-Registrar’s post and earn a fortune in a short time. But his inner conscience told him that Sub-Registrar’s post was not his cup of tea and the service as a lecturer in Kannada will give him job satisfaction and allow him to write in his mother-tongue.

Fortunately for Kannada, he joined as lecturer and was posted to Central College, Bangalore. After two years, he was transferred to Mysore University and he never looked back. He began contributing articles in Kannada on Kannada literature and culture. He was invited to be one of the editors of the prestigious journal Prabuddha Karnataka. It came to be published as a good journal and its circulation was increased. Scholars thought that it was a prestige to get their research articles published in Prabuddha Karnataka.

Subsequently another Kannada journal called Manavika Karnataka, meant for articles on Social Sciences, was added with the vision of Dejagow. Thus the three journals Prabuddha Karnataka (literature), Vijana Karnataka (Science) and Manavika Karnataka (Social Science) became the most prestigious research journals in Karnataka.

With his scholarly contribution, he was elevated to the position of Assistant Professor in 1955. Dejagow, following the footsteps of his Guru Kuvempu, emphasised that a University should give equal importance to Bodhane (teaching) Samshodhane (research) and Prasara (publication). The first two were already there and he strengthened the publication unit called Prasaranga. During the period of Dejagow at the helm, one book a day used to see the light of the day. Thus Mysore University became famous for its publication not only in Kannada but also in English.

The University depended upon the local printing presses for printing the books which caused inordinate delay as well as lack of quality. To overcome this, Dejagow started a University printing press which was well-equipped with latest machinery. University text book and research publications began to see the light of the day in a methodical way. Seeing his dynamism, the authorities appointed him as the Principal of the prestigious Sahyadri College at Shimoga and during his tenure, the college developed by leaps and bounds and became an ideal college. The authorities felt that he should be transferred to Mysore to develop the University in all its facets and he became a Professor and Head in 1964. Next year, he was chosen as the Dean of Arts faculty. In the meantime, he was also the Controller of Examinations.

To centralise all Kannada academic activities, the Institute of Kannada Studies was started at Manasagangotri and he became its first Director. The Institute became the hub of all Kannada activities. Dejagow felt that scholars depend on encyclopaedia for information in English. This knowledge should be available to Kannadigas in Kannada itself. He organised a branch of the Kannada Encyclopaedia and got articles written by specialists which has not been surpassed in other languages. The fourteen volume Kannada Viswakosha series is a boon to the Kannadigas and you mention any important topic in the world, you will find its entry with details, in this work. Practically, I use this encyclopaedia for all my writings in ‘Pages from History.’

Folklore was an important subject of study in foreign countries but we had neglected it. Dejagow recognised the importance of folklore in understanding the culture of Karnataka. He started a Folklore Museum in Manasagangotri and collected unique items. Soon it became famous internationally with foreign scholars thronging its portals and it became a great attraction in Mysore University. It got appreciation from Ford Foundation also. It was considered a must for any distinguished visitor to Mysuru. Folklore also became a subject for Master’s and Diploma level.

Dejagow became the Vice-Chancellor of University of Mysore on Kannada Rajyotsava Day, November 1, 1969. A felicitation function was arranged in his honour. Prof. S.V. Ranganna, who spoke on the occasion, said Kannada has attained a horn (Kannadake indu kodu bandide). That Kodu has developed as a sharp instrument for those who oppose Kannada. That is the most powerful weapon of Dejagow.

I faintly remember a meeting in which the then Chief Minister D. Devaraja Urs spoke. He used strong words and said that he is prepared to resign for political reasons. In his speech, Dejagow said he is prepared to resign any moment if Kannada is shown disrespect by people however high they may be. The entire audience was stunned at the guts of Dejagow before a Chief Minister.

Dejagow considered Kuvempu as a divine human being. If anybody wants to know how a Guru has to be respected, they must read the utterances of Dejagow in this regard. If my memory is correct, Dejagow once told me that he worships the photograph of Kuvempu. Dejagow followed the footsteps of Kuvempu in all ethical principles. Kuvempu’s respect and regard for his Guru T.S. Venkannaiah is well-known and if you want to know it, please read the dedication page of Kuvempu’s Ramayana Darshanam. The same type of respect Dejagow developed towards his Guru Kuvempu. Kuvempu was pleased at the attitude of Dejagow. ‘I do not know by which words I can convey my relationship with Dejagow. Love? Sincerity? Faithfulness? Friendship? Devotion? Respect? Each of these words is not adequate. I have no words to express my relationship with Dejagow; words fail. Hence I keep silent.’ Swami Siddhesvaranandaji is my spiritual guru while Dejagow is my guide in secular matters. Getting a certificate to this effect from Kuvempu is not an ordinary feat.

Dejagow has distinguished himself as a prose writer (gadyabrahma, gadyashilpi). When everybody was running after poetry, he realised it was not his cup of tea and hence chose prose to express himself. Thus he is considered as Banabhatta in modern Kannada literature.

In a short article of this type, all his works and translations cannot be mentioned. Those who are interested may refer to a Kannada book ‘Dejagow Vanmayasuchi’ edited by Dr. T. K. Kempegowda. He has more than hundred works to his credit and thus he has hit two centuries, one by his age and the other by the number of his works. I do not think any Kannada author has this distinction. Thus he holds a unique academic record. The literary output of Dejagow is vast and varied that many research scholars have been doing research on his works.

In spite of his busy academic schedule, Dejagow has found time to visit many foreign countries including Russia, Britain, Africa and Europe. He has written on these foreign visits which are educative in nature.

My acquaintances with Dejagow are also interesting. I wrote my Ph.D thesis on the topic ‘The Yadavas-Sevunas of Devagiri.’ The uniqueness of this thesis is that I propounded the theory that the Yadavas were Kannada people and not Marathis as believed by great historians like Bhandarkar, Altekar, Yazdani, etc. I wrote an article in Kannada on this and it was published in Prabuddha Karnataka. It drew the attention of Dejagow; he was curious to know as to who was the youngster who has added one more dynasty to Karnataka. He complimented me and published my book from the University.

Another work of mine which attracted Dejagow was a Kannada book on the origin and evolution of Kannada script. This was published as the first book from Institute of Kannada Studies. It has brought name and fame and seen seven editions. I am grateful to Dejagow for this encouragement, which made me a writer in Kannada.

From his encouragement I have published about 20 books in Kannada on history and culture of Karnataka, including Karnataka Coinage. At his instance, I took up the publication of Kannada translation of all the English works of Kulapati K. M. Munshi, the Founder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. As the Chairman of BVB Mysuru Kendra, I have published 26 books of Munshiji in Kannada. At his instance, I have also edited 25 parts of the series called ‘History and Culture of the Indian People,’ running to about 20,000 pages in Kannada.

I live in Jayalakshmipuram, very close to Prof. Dejagow. In fact, he has a role in my getting this plot of land. Till recently, I used to meet him almost daily and pay my regards and if he was free, talk to him on academic matters. But nowadays, he goes by car and I am deprived of the privilege. Hence, I go to Kuteera to talk to him and pay my regards.

When our MLA Vasu asked me to be the Chairman of the Centenary Committee to honour Dejagow, I accepted it in all humility because it gave me one more opportunity to pay our respects. But Dejagow did not agree to this celebration saying, ‘I have done my duty to Kannada; what is great about it.’ We had to persuade him to accept our love, affection and regards through a public function. Thus, he has become a Sthithapragnya.

Finally, I pray to God to give Dejagow health, peace and more laurels in the days to come. I hope every Kannadiga will say ‘Amen.’

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Sunday – July 12th, 2015