K. S. Bhagawan | |
---|---|
Born |
Kalahalli, Kingdom of Mysore (now in Karnataka)India |
14 July 2016
Nationality | Indian |
Education | MA, D.Litt |
Alma mater | University of Mysore |
Occupation | Writer, professor, translator |
Notable work | · Shankaracharya mattu Pratigamitana (ಶಂಕರಾಚಾರ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರತಿಗಾಮಿತನ) · Kuvempu Yuga (ಕುವೆಂಪು ಯುಗ) |
Movement | Bandaya movement |
Children | Abhiman & Shruthi |
K. S. Bhagawan (born 14 July 1945) is an Indian rationalist, Kannada writer, translator and retired professor. In addition to his works on Hinduism, Indian culture and history he has translated the works of William Shakespeare including Julius Caesar and Hamlet. He is a recipient of many awards including the Rajyotsava Award, Kuvempu Award and the Lokayata Award. He is also criticized for being communal and Hinduphobic by many other rationalists. Police case FIR also filed against him for "hurting" religious sentiments.
Bhagawan acquired a post-graduate degree in English language from University of Mysore. As a professor, he taught English at Maharaja's College in Mysore. At the same time, he worked as a writer and translator. In 1982, his work Shankaracharya and Reactionary Philosophy (original title: ಶಂಕರಾಚಾರ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರತಿಗಾಮಿತನ), a collection of essays, on how Adi Shankara, an 8th-century Hindu theologian, advocated the caste system strongly, destroyed Buddhist viharas and was against education for women, shudras and dalits, was published. It was met with criticism from right-wing Hindu groups who issued threats to his life. His other books in Kannada include Badalaavane, Antarya and Kuvempu Yuga. As a translator, he translated popular works of William Shakespeare to Kannada. It includes Merchant of Venice as Venisina Vartaka, and others such as Julius Caesar, Hamlet and Othello..