Bolwar Mahammad Kunhi

Bolwar Mahamad Kunhi
Bolwar Mahamad Kunhi
Born	22 October 1951 Puttur, Puttur taluk, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka
Pen name	Bolwar
Occupation	Retired Chief Manager, Syndicate Bank (December 1972 to October 2011) Chief Publicity Manager
Nationality	Indian
Genre	Short stories, Novels, Plays, Biographies
Literary movement	Activist working against radicalization of youth towards religious extremism
Spouse	Jubeda Bolwar
Children	Mamthaz, Benazir

Bolwar Mahamad Kunhi (born 1951) is a short story writer, novelist, playwright and scriptwriter, who writes in the Kannada language.^[1] He is the first Indian writer to introduce Muslim ethos and culture into creative Kannada prose and is also considered as one of the best Short Story writers of Karnataka. He is the only Indian writer conferred with Central Sahitya Academy twice (2010 & 2016) for creative prose. He is also the first ever Kannada writer conferred with `Bala Sahitya Puraskar’ by Central Sahitya Academy.

In addition to Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, he has been awarded thrice from Karnataka Sahitya Academy including Lifetime Achievement Award. Besides several other awards, he is also conferred with KATHA award-Delhi, Bharatiya Bhasha Sasthan Award – Calcutta, Dr. Shivarama Karantha Balavana Award-Putturu, Basavaraja Kattimani Award – Belgaum, MWF Award- Abudhabi etc. He has won National Awards twice for his contribution to Kannada Films.

His works have been translated into other Indian languages including in English. His work focuses on erasing misconceptions about Islam in India and nurturing a more positive outlook towards Islam. A post-graduate with a gold medal in Kannada literature from Mysore University, Bolwar is now retired from being a chief manager for Syndicate Bank's Bangalore Corporate Office.^[1]

Works

This writer edited what is considered the finest work ever produced in Kannada for children – "Tattu Chappale Putta Magu", a collection of over 100 poems and "Santammanna", an anthology of 40-odd illustrated poems.^[2] he also edited 12 best children's plays - Hanneradu MakkaLa Natakagalu.

He is the recipient of the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award for the story of an ordinary Mohandas who became Mahatma Gandhi in his "Paapu Gandh Bapu Gandhi Aada Kathe”. Other than Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar, it is only Bolwar who has written about Gandhi for children. The Mahatma had kept the child Monu alive in himself until he died a martyr. The book spoke of Mehtab, Gandhi's Muslim friend who was a great source of courage to him. It was translated and published in English with the title Gandhi – “From Monu To Mahatma” (Published by Peak Publishing House, London).^[3] During the book launch Jnanapith awardee, U.R. Ananthamurthy said in praise of Bolwar's book "This is one of the best books on Mahatma Gandhi for children and adults". Ananthamurthy , in his blurb for the book, said Bolwar is blessed with great insight, and that his works are finely tuned, transcending time. "Bolwar's collection of songs and poems are among the best in contemporary Kannada literature,".^[4] The book was also enacted as a children's play.^[5]

His extended Short story, "Ondu Thundu Gode," or "A Bit of Wall" treats the explosive Ayodhya theme in a humorous, personal vein. He recounts the story of an old woman, Roti-Phatumma, who wanted to build her own house by acquiring what she believed to be a bit of the wall from the broken pieces of the Babri Masjid. Tongue-in-cheek Bolwar balances serious, comic and poignant aspects.^[6]

His epic 1,110-page opus named "Swathranthada Ota" (in English: The run for independence) released on 18 March 2012 at Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bangalore by the word famous Sarod artist Pandit Rajiv Taranath.. His latest book `Odiri' considered as the first-ever historical novel on Prophet Muhammad.

He worked as Senate Member in Hampi Kannada University, Kannada Sahitya Academy, Kannada Pustaka Pradhikara. He also worked as State president for `Samudaya’ Cultural Organisation, as Convener to Bandaya Sahitya Sangha, as Edirot to GIANT (Syndicate Bank’s House Magazine) KRISHILOKA (Syndicate Bank’s Magazine) , as member to RDC (Syndicate Bank’s Rural Development Institute), Self Employment Training Institute (RUDSETI- Dharmastala). He was the President for Kannada Belesi Balaga and Chitra Samudaya (Film Division)

Awards and recognition

References[edit]

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References