ACK-066: The Taming of Gulla

An out of print ACK #282

This ACK is based on a true stroy which was written by an eminent Kannada writer Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar.

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Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar (1904 - 1991), affectionately known as Gorur was an eminent Kannada writer; well known for his humor and satire. He was one of the two iconic Iyengar writers of Kannada literature alongwith the great Masti Venkatesh Iyengar. 1904 (MCMIV) is a leap year starting on a Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1991 (MCMXCI) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Kannada - aptly described as sirigannada (known to few as Kanarese) is one of the oldest Dravidian languages and is spoken in its various dialects by roughly 45 million people. ... Iyengar (or Aiyangar) is the name of a community of Tamil Brahmins of South India whose members profess the Visishtadvaita philosophy codified by Ramanuja. ... The Kannada language belongs to the Dravidian family of languages and is the second oldest language currently spoken in India (next to Tamil). ...

Gorur's most well known book is the humorous travelogue "Amerikadalli Goruru", 1979; which is based on the experience of the traditional Iyengar in the techno-cultural world of the United States. The book had several memorable chapters like "Empire State Bhavana" (Empire State Building) and "Niagarada Manjukanye" (Maid of the Mist). Gorur also wrote several folk and fiction works like "Rasaphala", "Namma Oorina Rasikaru", "Puttamallige", "Bhoothayyana Maga Ayyu", "Hemavathi", "Garudagambada Dasaiah".age refers to the year 1979. ... Iyengar (or Aiyangar) is the name of a community of Tamil Brahmins of South India whose members profess the Visishtadvaita philosophy codified by Ramanuja. ...

Gorur was born in the little hamlet of "Gorur" in Hassan district of Karnataka in Southern India in a family of Hebbar Iyengars. As a student he was influenced by the Indian Independence Movement and became a staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi. He was jailed by the British administration in 1942 for his participation in the Quit India Movement.The Quit India Movement was a call for immediate independence for India issued by MK Gandhi on August 8, 1942. ...

Post Independence of India (1947), Gorur accepted employment in the Khadi Board Industries and later on began his glittering career as a pre-eminent Kannada writer. "Amerikadalli Goruru" won the acclaimed Sahitya Akademi award in 1979. "Bhoothayyana Maga Ayyu" was made into a blockbuster Kannada movie of the same name by noted director Siddhalingaiah, starring Vishnuvardhan, Lokesh and Shardha in 1975.

Gorur had four sons and a daughter and he outlived all his sons. Towards the end of his life, he lived in Bangalore alongwith his daughter. Gorur died peacefully in 1991, leaving behind legions of affectionate fans of Kannada literature.

(~ From Nationmaster.com- Encyclopedia)

Many many thanks to an Anonymous friend” for providing ACK scan.