M. Chidananda Murthy

M. Chidananda Murthy (Kannada: ಚಿದಾನಂದ ಮೂರ್ತಿ) (born May 10, 1931) is a Kannada writer, researcher and historian. He is a well-known scholar in Karnataka specializing in the history of Kannada language and ancient Karnataka. He is also known for his campaign to conserve the monuments Hampi and to secure classical language status to Kannada Language. Murthy has also articulated that uniform civil code and an anti-conversion law must be enacted by the Government in India.

Chidananda Murthy obtained his Bachelor of Arts (honours) degree in 1953 from Mysore University. He obtained his Master of Arts degree in Kannada Literature in 1957, also from Mysore University. During his postgraduate studies he produced his influential essay Pampa kavi mattu maulya prasara. In Mysore University, he came under the influence of Kannada literary figures like Kuvempu, PuTeeNa, Raghavachar and historians like S. Srikanta Sastri. Another literary stalward TeeNamShri guided Murthy in doctoral research on Kannada inscriptions. His doctoral thesis was titled A cultural study of Kannada inscriptions. He obtained his PhD degree from Bangalore University in 1964.

Murthy was the head of the department of Kannada Bangalore University. He was also associated with Kannada Shakti Kendra. As a historian most of Murthy's work has focused on scientific study of the Kannada Inscriptions. He has attempted to contextualize inscriptions in their socio cultural setup. He has produced many books on the history of Kannada language and Karnataka. He has guided many research students.

• Vīraśaiva dharma, Bhāratīya saṃskr̥ti Prakāśana, 2000
• Vāgartha Bāpkō, 1981
• Vacana sāhitya 1975
• Sweetness and light Sahithigala Kalavidara Balaga, 1989 [microform]
• Saṃśōdhane. 1967
• Saṃśōdhana taraṄga. Sarasa Sāhitya Prakāśana, 1966
• Pūrṇa sūryagrahaṇa Aibiec Prakāśana, 1982
• Pāṇḍitya rasa, Kannaḍa Viśvavidyālaya, 2000
• Śūnya sampādaneyannu kuritu. 1962
• Madhyakālīna Kannaḍa sāhitya mattu aspr̥śyate Prasārāṅga, Karnāṭaka Viśvavidyālaya, 1985
• Liṅgāyata adhyayangaḷu Vāgdēvi Pustakagaḷu, 1986
• Kavirājamārga. 1973
• Karnāṭaka saṃskr̥ti Kannaḍa Sāhitya Pariṣattu, 1991
• Karnāṭaka-Nēpāḷa Prasārāṅga, Kannaḍa Viśvavidyālaya, 2003
• Kannaḍāyaṇa Priyadarśini Prakāśana, 1999
• Kannada śāsanagaḷa sāmskr̥tika adhyayana. 1966
• Hosatu hosatu Kannaḍa Viśvavidyālaya, 1993
• Grāmīṇa Bāpko Prakāśana, 1977
• Cidānanda samagra sampuṭa Sapna Book House, 2002
• Basavanna National Book Trust, India, 1972

• "M. Chidananda Murthy". Open Library. Retrieved 2016-12-01. 

• Rajyothsava award
• Sahitya Academy Award
• Pampa Award in 2002
• Alva's Nudisiri Award in 2006

• "Sahitya Academy Awards : Kannada Books & Authors". Indiapicks.com. Retrieved 2016-12-01. 
• "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-16.