Nrupatunga Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 12 (2018) Winner
Siddalingaiah
シッダリンガイア
Siddalingaiah
Pen Names:
Aaditya（Pseudonym used when writing film lyrics）
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1954-02-03 （Manchinabele, Mysore State (present-day Karnataka), India）
- Died
- 2021-06-11 （Bangalore, India） age 67
- Nationality
- India
- Languages
- Kannada
- Residence History
- Ramanagara district (birth region) → Bengaluru (Bangalore) - university and base for work
Career
- Occupations
- Poet, Playwright, Professor, Legislator, Activist
- Active Years
- 1970-2021
- Affiliations
- Bangalore University (Centre for Kannada Studies), Kannada Development Authority, Dalita Sangharsh Samiti (co-founder), Kannada Book Authority
- Influenced By
- B. R. Ambedkar, Ram Manohar Lohia
- Influenced
- Devanur Mahadeva (Dalit writer), Dalit writers and social activists in Karnataka
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore University | Faculty of Arts | Kannada Studies / Centre for Kannada Studies | M.A., Ph.D.（カンナダ） | 〜1989 | India |
Bangalore University
Faculty of Arts
/ Kannada Studies / Centre for Kannada Studies
Degree:
M.A., Ph.D.（カンナダ）
Period:
〜1989
Year of Graduation:
1989
Country:
India
PhD thesis was on 'Graamadevathegalu' (study of village deities and rituals)
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Padma Shri (posthumous) | — | — | Government of India | 受賞 |
| 1984 | Karnataka State Film Award (Best Lyricist) | Song for the film 'Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage' | — | Government of Karnataka | 受賞 |
| 1986 | Rajyotsava Award | — | — | Government of Karnataka | 受賞 |
| 1992 | Dr. Ambedkar Centenary Special Award | — | — | Government of Karnataka | 受賞 |
| 2002 | Dr. Ambedkar Award | — | — | Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Academy | 受賞 |
| 2001 | Sandesh Prashasti | — | — | Unknown | 受賞 |
| 2007 | Nadoja | — | — | Kannada University | 受賞 |
| — | Pampa Award | — | — | Government of Karnataka (literary award) | 受賞 |
| 1996 | Karnataka Sahitya Academy Honorary Award | — | — | Government of Karnataka | 受賞 |
Padma Shri (posthumous)
2021
Organization:
Government of India
Result:
受賞
Karnataka State Film Award (Best Lyricist)
1984
Work:
Song for the film 'Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage'
Organization:
Government of Karnataka
Result:
受賞
Rajyotsava Award
1986
Organization:
Government of Karnataka
Result:
受賞
Dr. Ambedkar Centenary Special Award
1992
Organization:
Government of Karnataka
Result:
受賞
Dr. Ambedkar Award
2002
Organization:
Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Academy
Result:
受賞
Sandesh Prashasti
2001
Organization:
Unknown
Result:
受賞
Nadoja
2007
Organization:
Kannada University
Result:
受賞
Pampa Award
Organization:
Government of Karnataka (literary award)
Result:
受賞
Karnataka Sahitya Academy Honorary Award
1996
Organization:
Government of Karnataka
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Pampa Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 33 (2019) Winner
Works
Major Works
Hole Madigara Haadu (Song of the Holeya-Madiga)
1975 Dalit poetry / protestAn early landmark poem voicing the anger and resistance of the Dalit community; became an anthem for protests.
Caste discriminationResistanceCollective memory
Saaviraaru Nadigalu (Thousands of Rivers)
1979 Poetry collectionA collection of poems linking labour, nature, and caste; poetically represents community life.
LabourNatureSocial justice
Kappu Kaadina Haadu (The Song of the Black Forest)
1982 Poetry collectionWorks that portray discrimination and marginalization with satire and humour.
HumourSatireMarginalization
Meravanige (Procession)
2000 PoetryPoems depicting scenes of social movements and collective action.
MovementSolidarity
Ooru Keri (Autobiography / A Slum in the Village)
1997 AutobiographyAutobiographical account of childhood discrimination and life, told with humour and sharp critique (multi-volume).
AutobiographyIdentityCultural affirmation
Translations
- English translation 'A Word With You, World' (2013)
Graamadevathegalu
1989 Study of village deities / folkloreA study recording and analysing village deities and rituals in Karnataka; subject of his PhD.
FolkloreReligionCulture
Bibliography
- Holemadigara Haadu
- Saaviraaru Nadigalu
- Kappu Kaadina Haadu
- Aayda Kavithegalu (Selected Poems)
- Meravanige
- Nanna Janagalu mattu Itara Kavitegalu (My People and Other Poems)
- Kudiva Neeliya Kadalu
- Ooru Saagaravagi
- Ooru Keri (Autobiography series)
- Graamadevathegalu
- Avataragalu
Adaptations
- Song written for the film 'Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage' (1983) under the pen name Aaditya
Translations of Works
- Ooru Keri → English translation 'A Word With You, World' (2013)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Poetic voice foregrounding anger and resistanceUse of humour and satireFolkloric and cultural-analytic prose
- Recurring Motifs
- Caste and discriminationLabour and exploitationNature (rivers, moon, plants)Folk deities and village traditions
Health
-
COVID-19 (related complications)2021Led to death; reported difficulties accessing healthcare highlighted systemic inequities
Legacy
Siddalingaiah was a pioneer of Dalit literature and activism in Karnataka; through poetry and autobiography he advocated Dalit dignity and cultural affirmation. Though his political positions drew criticism, his literary and social influence is substantial. He received numerous honours, including a posthumous Padma Shri.
Academic Societies
- Bangalore University (academic affiliations)
- Kannada University (awarded Nadoja)
In Popular Culture
- Connection to film culture via songwriting (1983)
- Poems and autobiography continue to be cited in Dalit movement slogans and scholarly discussions
Quotes
-
"They killed the sun and hid the moon."
Source: Poem (example quote) (1975)
Trivia
- Wrote film lyrics under the pen name Aaditya for 'Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage'.
- Co-founder of the Dalita Sangharsh Samiti (DSS).
- Posthumously awarded the Padma Shri in 2021.