Maa Naa Chowdappa

Journalist, broadcaster and author Maa.Naa. Chowdappa (Maa. Naa. Chowdappa) was born in July 1909.
Chowdappa completed his intermeidate in Mysore. During his Student days he developed an interest in Literature, Radio Broadcasting and theater under influence of his Guru Naa. Kasturi.
Chowdappa started his career at Akashavani (All India Radio), Mysore and Madras. Later Chowdappa was associated with B.N. Gupta in launching and editing Prajamatha (An illustrated weekly magazine in Kannada Language). During the pre-independence days, the erstwhile Mysore kingdom was under the control of the British and Prajamatha was banned for its pro-nationalistic stance. At this juncture Chowdappa shifted to Hubli (which was at that time part of the Mumbai Karnataka) and published Prajamatha from there.
Chowdappa worked for Samyukta Karnataka (A Kannada Daily) and was the first editor of Vakchitra (The First Kannada Magazine dedicated to films and other fine arts). He also worked for Kathanjali and other publications. Later he joined Bangalore station of All India Radio as a co-producer for features and worked till 1969.
Post retirement, Chowdappa worked for Congress Sandesha (A magazine of Indian National Congress). In 1972, Shri Devaraj Urs, The then Chief Minister of Karnataka invited Chowdappa to be his press secretary. Chowdappa also got an invitation from writer Niranjana to be one of the editors for Gnana Gangothri (An Encyclopedia project in Kannada). Passion for Literature and History made Chowdappa to choose the encyclopedia project instead of being a presee Secretary to the Chief Minister.
Chowdappa had a vast knowledge of Karnataka History, especially of the Karnataka dynasties, culture and literature. Hence he was requested by editors of various Encyclopedias to contribute articles.
A simple person who never bragged about his achievements, Chowdappa was hailed by friends as a silent worker.

Books/novels

• Shri Krishna Bhoopala
• Kunthi
• Kumara sambhava (Drama)
• Chandragupta (Drama)
• Vidura
• P. Kodanda Rao
• Sir. K. Sheshadri Iyer

Journalism

• Kathanjali
• Prajamatha
• Samukta Karnataka
• Vakchitra

Awards

• Shri Krisha bhoopala won the state Sahitya Academy award
• Was honoured on the occasion of Golden Jubilee of the Indian and also Kannada films as the seniormost film journalist.
• Kunti a novel on the Mahabaratha character of Kunti was prescribed as a text book for High school second year for 2 consecutive years in the 1950s.