Writing for its own sake

http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2008/06/20/stories/2008062050810400.htm

T.MURALI

Life vision and writing skills of stalwart writers spurred Umadevi into the world of literature
Being an author herself and having published several collections of short stories, she was proud when her daughter, an ex-banker, authored a book on micro credit.

“Both, depth of knowledge and writing skills are essential to bring out such scholarly books. They will help those who are working in that field. More books on science and other subjects which are helpful to people should be published, apart from short story collections and novels,” says the 81-year-old Umadevi Shankar Rao.

Born in 1927 in Shimoga, she completed her metric in Mysore and started writing when she was only 14! After her marriage to N.K. Shankara Rao, an Indian Airlines official, promoter and treasurer of Kannada Sangha in New Delhi, she lived in Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai.

Well-versed in Kannada, English and Sanskrit, in Umadevi’s view a writer should not aspire for accolades. Citing the example of Ravindranath Tagore’s “Geetanjali”, she says the works of an author may attract public attention in due course.

Umadevi’s works comprise short stories for children “Suryakanti” (1967), “Kumbarana Adrushta” (1967), “Minchu Gudugu” (1970), “Adalu Badalu” (translation from a Sanskrit drama) (1975), “Idgah Matthu itara Kathegalu” (1992), translated stories of Prem Chand, “Sannakathegalu” (short stories) (1954) and so on. Kannada Lekhakhiyara Sangha awarded H.V. Savitramma Endowment award for her translated book “Idgah Mattu Itara Kathegalu” in 1991.

Despite her age, she remains enthusiastic to share her interactions with Kannada literary stalwarts, including Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, K.V. Puttappa (Kuvempu), A.R. Krishna Shastry, A.N. Murthy Rao and several others.

Excerpts from an interview:

You have written children stories, translated several short stories of Prem Chand. What inspired you to become a writer?

I was inspired by eminent writers of Kannada such as Masti Venkatesh Iyengar and A.R. Krishnashastri. Their knowledge in the subject and the command over language, writing skill, and vision of life influenced me. In spite of being so popular, they were down-to-earth and modest. A.R. Krishnashastry had said that we can give only a few words to this vast world. One cannot just claim that his or her contribution is huge to literature.

Prem Chand also inspired me, he is not just a writer, he is a social reformer. He married a widow. His life and writings inspired me.

Were your times conducive to women writers?

Not so good. There were reservations among the elderly women about writing. When my name appeared in print at the top of an article, they asked me if it was required for a housewife. If a woman wanted to study medicine, people used to comment that she had been sent to mortuary for cutting human bodies. But, I must confess that my father was supportive, he was well-versed in Kannada and Sanskrit. There were few women writers at that time such as Kodagina Gowramma, Belagere Janakamma, Triveni and Vani. Triveni wrote several popular novels.

Do you think that the problems of present-day women are different from what you faced?
Issues will keep on changing. Some of the evils such as dowry harassment, atrocities on women will remain forever, irrespective of the progress made. I have highlighted several issues in my works.

You have written several short stories for children. Are children losing the ability to imagine now-a-days?

Because of distractions by television, visual media, they are losing some of the finest aspects of childhood. During our days, there was no television and radio was itself a rarity. Children were keen on listening to stories from elders. Many stories were created for them by elders and they were based on moral values.

Can you recall a memorable incident with a Kannada writer?

When Masti had come to New Delhi, we invited him to our house and my husband went to receive him. During a discussion, my husband read out a few lines from my story. Masti was very appreciative of what I had written and blessed me.

Voices from people who met Amma

I am filled with gratitude that I got the opportunity to meet her. Her radiant face comes to mind again and again. Her creativity and ability to master languages other than her mother tongue was truly impressive.
She was gifted in the real sense, and she did not need any degree or position to prove herself. I am touched by the manner in which your mother was able to create so much value in her life

We can take solace from the deliverance she has obtained from the agony and suffering of an illness she so bravely endured...
Mina