Niranjana (writer)

Kulakunda Shivaraya (Kannada: ಕುಳಕುಂದ ಶಿವರಾಯ; 15 June 1924—13 March 1992), popularly known as Niranjana (ನಿರಂಜನ in Kannada), was a prominent Kannada playwright, novelist and a freedom fighter. His childhood was spent in abject poverty. His father left his mother when Shivaraya was a child and his mother brought him up with great difficulties. The hardships faced during the childhood, shaped Niranjana's later literary career.

Niranjana wrote more than 60 books. His first published novel was Vimochane (Wait for the moon) published in 1953. Some of his other notable works are— Chirasmarane, and Mrityunjaya. He also edited Kannada translation of Vishwa Katha Kosha (A Treasury of World Short Stories). He also translated a number of works into Kannada language.

Niranjana got attracted to marxism during his youth and was an active member of Communist Party of India. Later he got disillusioned and left it. Still he continued to raise his voice for the downtrodden and oppressed through his writings. He suffered a stroke in 1971 when he was at his zenith of writing career. Which restricted his movements to large extent. Still he wrote his most famous book "Mrityunjaya" in 1976 and also worked as an editor to bring out the "kannada Jnana Kosha".

Niranjana married Dr.Venkata Lakshmi, who later become a popular writer (with pen name Anupama Niranjana). They have two daughters, Seemanthini and Tejaswini. His wife died of cancer in 1991. Niranjana passed away a year later due to illness.

Niranjana received these awards and honours—

• Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award
• Nehru Soviet Land Award