It is in the literature bestowed upon us by Maharṣi Veda-vyāsa that we find the roots of the elements that we today identify as being unique to Indian cultural heritage. Vyāsa was the one who organized and arranged the Vedas, which are the fundamental records of all the wisdom-treasure of India. In fact, it is this extraordinary accomplishment that gave him the name ‘Vyāsa.’[1]
The stature that belonged to R Narasimhacharya[1] in the history of Kannada literature was earned in Telugu literature by Kandakuri Veeresalingam Pantulu.
Veeresalingam Pantulu has written the history of Telugu poets[2]. He has written a few novels as well. I’ve heard that he has also composed a few poetical works. A few of his novels have been translated into Kannada:
Renowned as a doctor, a compassionate man, and an extremely capable surgeon in the old Mysore area, Rao Bahadur Dr. T V Arumugam Mudaliar was a contemporary of Sir. M Visvesvaraya. When he was the Chief Superintendent of Bangalore’s Victoria Hospital, its fame spread far and wide. The primary reason for this was his medical skill combined with his compassion for people. His sympathy was like medicine. The two together made him valuable to society.
Arumugam Mudaliar came from one of the reputed families of Bangalore. His parents were well-to-do.
I have mentioned above that Ramanna made me read Kannada Rāmāyaṇa, Bhārata and other books regularly. Bhāgavata and Ranganātha-rāmāyaṇa - both these books were very dear to him. He had many poems from Āndhra Rāmāyaṇa committed to memory. He used to quote them at times during many conversations. Once a Vaiśya[1] came to visit him. Ramanna asked (in Telugu) :
“What made you come? It has been a long time since I last saw you.”
Ramanna is my Cikka-tāta (grandfather’s younger brother). Sheikhdar Gundappa’s second son. I had briefly introduced him in my earlier writings. He initially worked as a government employee probably in the excise department and seemed to have saved some of the money he earned during that period. By the time I was born, he was not formally employed. He was self-reliant. A bit of money lending along with a stamp vendor job.
On the evening of Deepavali in 1923, we, i.e., Sastri and his friends, reached Mysore. As per the directions of Sir Mirza Ismail, our stay was arranged at the Vasanta Mahal. There were no pre-determined errands or tasks to be carried out. Mirza Saheb wanted Sastri to spend the evening in whatever manner he wished to. It was to proceed ‘as the spirit moves’. I shall narrate a couple of incidents that took place then.