Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that senior litterateur Prof. H P Nagarajaiah, popularly known as Hampana, has been invited to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara celebrations this year. The decision was made in recognition of Hampana’s unique contributions to Kannada language and literature.
The announcement was made on Friday during the inauguration of the “Karnataka Cultural Preview: A Thought Conference” organized at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU). Prof. Hampana was also present at the event and was invited onto the stage by CM Siddaramaiah, who honored him with a bouquet of flowers and seated him beside him as a mark of respect.
Background on Prof. Hampana
Hampana, a native of Hampasandra in Gauribidanur taluk of Chikkaballapur district, has served in various capacities, including as the head of the arts department at Bangalore University, director of the Kannada Studies Centre, and director of the Kannada and Culture Department. From 1978 to 1986, he served as the president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, during which he published nearly 300 scholarly works by different authors.
Hampana has made significant contributions to Kannada literature, especially in Jain studies, and has published many important works across literary genres. He was honored with the “Nadoja” award by Hampi University in 2006 for his contributions to literature.
Udayavani Interview with Prof. Hampana