Swan Song
₹320.00
Author: T R Subba Rao| Translator: Pramod Mutalik
Swan Song is the poignant tale of Venkatasubbiah, a legendary musician from 18th century Chitradurga. Written by renowned Kannada author Late Shri T R Subba Rao (TaRaSu) and translated into English by Prof Pramod Mutalik, the novel explores the extraordinary journey of an artist whose unwavering dedication to his craft defines his life.
The author weaves together perspectives from people of varied backgrounds to reconstruct Venkatasubbiah’s story, revealing his innate musical genius and determination. It narrates the tale of a musician’s steadfast devotion to art against all odds.
The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Venkatasubbiah defies Tippu Sultan’s order to perform in his palace. To protect the dignity of his art, he sacrifices his ability to sing by cutting off his tongue. Undeterred, he continues to produce swaras through his nose, earning him the metaphorical title of the swan. His life ends while performing, leaving an unforgettable legacy of self-respect and artistic integrity.
| Category: | Indian Literature in Translation |
|---|
| Author | |
|---|---|
| Format |
Related products
-
Pot of Butter and other short stories
₹250.00Author: Sunanda Belgaumkar Translator: Sa Usha, Vaijayanti Suryanarayana
Pot of Butter and other Short Stories is a collection of nine short stories, originally composed by Sunanda Belgaumkar in Kannada, handpicked and translated from her collections – Kajjaya and Koduvudenu Kombudenu. The bulk of her literary work including the stories in this book are inspired by the experiences in her early life, in the rustic and robust atmosphere of Dharwad. Her stories are predominantly semiautobiographical, laced with a liberal dose of artistic freedom.
This collection weaves together her writings on the underprivileged and marginalized as seen from the comfort of her palatial home, but rendered with compassion and empathy. Often, we find her narrative infused with self-directed questions such as, “What if I was in her shoes? ” or “Could that have been me? ” These stories are reflections on human nature, suffering, and destiny. There is hope, there is despair. There is love, there is longing. There is defeat, and there is triumph. In her stories, an oft-recurring metaphor for picking up one’s life after loss is a scorching summer followed by a torrential downpour and subsequently a plant springing to life.
As a translation, this book attempts to introduce Sunanda Belgaumkar’s literary and artistic creations to the non-Kannada reader, retaining as much of the indigenous elements of the original writings as possible. In doing so, it seeks to preserve the cultural climate of North Karnataka as it was around fifty years ago.
Interested readers may write to us at mup@manipal.edu about purchasing the book.
-
Anurakte- The Enamoured
₹390.00Author: Vyasaraya Ballal Translator: Poornima Hebbar
There are many rags-to-riches stories around the city of Mumbai. However, here is a story of transformation of a woman and her true self in the city of dreams. Set in Mangalore and Mumbai of the late 1940s, Anurakte- The Enamoured is an elegantly written story of a woman and her changing worldview over a period of time. Sumithra, a young woman with ordinary dreams and aspirations, comes to the then Bombay in search of livelihood. Little did she know that her experiences in the city and her zest for an independent life would transform her into a different person. She breaks the shell and resolves not to look back. The book is a poignant tale of love, loss, betrayal, family, relationships and traditions. The culturescape of Mumbai beautifully intertwines with her dreams. It is as much a story of the vibrancy of Mumbai as it is about Sumithra’s journey towards freedom.
Interested readers may write to us at mup@manipal.edu about purchasing the book.
-
Kempu Kanagile and Chitra
₹160.00Author: Rabindranath Tagore, Translator: Sudha Adukkala
ಕೆಂಪು ಕಣಗಿಲೆ: ಅದೆಂಥ ಗಾಢಾಂಧಕಾರವೇ ಇರಲಿ, ಪುಟ್ಟ ಹಣತೆಯೊಂದು ಅದನ್ನು ತೊಡೆಯಬಲ್ಲುದೆಂಬುದು ಸಾರ್ವಕಾಲಿಕ ಸತ್ಯ. ಅಂಥದೊAದು ಸಂಘರ್ಷದ ಕಥನವನ್ನು ಗುರುದೇವ ರವೀಂದ್ರರು ತಮ್ಮ ಈ ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ‘ಕೆಂಪು ಕಣಗಿಲೆ’ ತೆರೆದಿಡುವ ಕೌರ್ಯದ ಜಗತ್ತು ಇಂದು ಈ ಕಾಲಘಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತು ಬರೆದರೇನೋ ಎಂಬಷ್ಟು ತಾಜಾ ಆಗಿದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿಯ ರಂಜನ ಕೇವಲ ಒಂದು ಪಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲ; ನಾವೆಲ್ಲರೂ ನಮ್ಮೊಳಗೆ ತುಂಬಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕಾದ ಜೀವನ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ವಿವಿಧ ಆಯಾಮಗಳ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿ. ಇಲ್ಲಿಯ ನಂದಿನಿ ಇಂದು ಜಗವ ಸಂತೈಸಬೇಕಾದ ತಾಯಿಹೃದಯದ ಪ್ರತೀಕವಾಗಿದ್ದಾಳೆ.
ಚಿತ್ರಾ: ಪೌರಾಣಿಕ ಕಥಾನಕವೊಂದರ ಪುನರ್ಲೇಖನದ ಈ ನಾಟಕವು ಹೆಣ್ಣು ಮತ್ತು ರಾಷ್ಟçವನ್ನು ಒಂದು ಸಂಕಥನವನ್ನಾಗಿ ಚರ್ಚಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಹೆಣ್ಣು-ಗಂಡಿನ ಘನತೆಯ ಬದುಕನ್ನು ಕನಸುವ ನಿರೂಪಣೆ ನಾವು ಕಟ್ಟಬೇಕಾಗಿರುವ ರಾಷ್ಟçದ ರೂಪುರೇಷೆಗಳನ್ನೂ ತನ್ನೊಳಗೆ ಆಡಕ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡಿದೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ಅನನ್ಯತೆಯನ್ನು ಉಳಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಲೇ ಇನ್ನೊಬ್ಬರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಹಬಾಳ್ವೆಯನ್ನು ನಡೆಸುವ ಬಗೆಯನ್ನು ಮಂಡಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ತಾನು ಆರೋಪಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ ಕೃತಕ ತೆರೆಯನ್ನು ಸರಿಸುವ ಚಿತ್ರಾ ನಮ್ಮೊಳಗಿನ ಅರಿವಿಗೆ ತೊಡಕಾಗಿರುವ ಸಂಕುಚಿತತೆಯ ಪರದೆಯನ್ನೂ ಸರಿಸುತ್ತಾಳೆ.
Interested overseas readers may write to us at mup@manipal.edu about purchasing the book. -
Nala Charitre: The Legend of Nala(A Short Epic)
₹295.00This book presents the mythological narrative of Nala-Damayanti as an epic poem in English. Among the luminaries of sixteenth century Bhakti tradition, Kanakadasa’s literary and musical compositions (kirtanes) are imbued with philosophical meanings, which show immense formative influence on the cultural and literary scene of Karnataka. Also, Kanakadasa’s literary works such as Mohana Tarangini, Haribhaktisara, and the eminent allegorical masterpiece Ramadhanya Charitre incorporate metaphors taken from everyday life, which fascinate the commoners and offers them respite from mundane life-struggles. While such metaphorical expressions represent a remarkable trend in Bhakti poetry, in Kanakadasa?s depiction of Nala and Damayanti’s misfortunes, the toilsome life of common men and women stares forth. Hauled out of their palatial leisurely living, a curious turn of events compels them to survive amidst endless suffering. On one hand Nala Charitre is a poignant story of love, and on the other, it thematizes human existence, humandivine relationship and simplifies poetry to reach the audience beyond the limited circle of literates. As the Bhakti Literature assimilates the vernacular into devotional poetry, Kanakadasa?s epic poem interweaves mythological themes from Mahabharata with struggles of medieval Indian society, thus overcoming the binaries of human and divine.
-
BAKA – Collection of Two Plays
₹340.00Author: M S Keshava Prabhu, Translator: L V Shantakumari
Baka dramatizes the episode of Bakasura, from the Indian epic, Mahabharata. Baka is a cannibal demon that terrorizes a village with its horrifying attacks. The king of the village strikes an agreement with the demon, putting its people in peril. They live in constant fear for years until the sudden arrival of a hero changes everything.
A theatrical and evocative narration, this play satirically mirrors society’s greed and irresponsibility. It depicts power struggles through the conflict that arises between Baka the demon, the cowardly king, and the oppressed people.Interested customers may write to us at mup@manipal.edu about purchasing the book. -
Mahila Mahabharatha
₹160.00Author: K Madhavan Translator: Abhilasha S
ಮಹಿಳಾ ಮಹಾಭಾರತ, ಇದು ಜೆಎನ್ಯು ದೆಹಲಿಯ ವಿಶ್ರಾಂತ ಪ್ರಾಧ್ಯಾಪಕರಾದ ಕೆ. ಮಾಧವನ್ ರಚಿಸಿದ ನಾಟಕ. ರಂಗ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕರೂ ಆಗಿರುವ ಮಾಧವನ್ರನ್ನು ೧೯೯೪ರಲ್ಲಿ ಯೂನಿವರ್ಸಿಟಿ ದು ಕ್ವಿಬೀ ಎ ಮಾನ್ಟ್ರಿಯಲ್ ವಿಶ್ವವಿದ್ಯಾನಿಲಯ ತನ್ನ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳಿಗೆ ರಂಗ ನಿರ್ದೇಶನದ ತರಬೇತಿ ನೀಡಲು ಆಹ್ವಾನಿಸಿತ್ತು. ಆಗ ಒಂದು ವರ್ಷ ನಡೆಸಿದ ರಂಗ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಗಾರದ ಭಾಗವಾಗಿ ೧೯೯೫ ರಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಧವನ್ ಈ ನಾಟಕವನ್ನು ಫ್ರೆಂಚ್ ಭಾಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ರಚಿಸಿ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಿಸಿದ್ದರು. ನಂತರ ಇದು ಜರ್ಮನಿ, ಫ್ರಾನ್ಸ್, ಆಸ್ಟ್ರೇಲಿಯಾ ಮುಂತಾದ ದೇಶಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಆಯಾ ಪ್ರದೇಶದ ಕಲಾವಿದರಿಂದ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿತು. ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಅನೇಕ ನಗರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ನಾಟಕ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನ ಕಂಡಿದೆ. ೨೦೦೫ರಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ನಾಟಕದ ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್ ಅವತರಣಿಕೆಯು ಥಿಯೇಟರ್ ಇಂಡಿಯಾದಿAದ ಪ್ರಕಟವಾಯಿತು. <br> ಎಲ್ಲ ಕಾಲದ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ಆಂತರ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಯಬಹುದಾದ ಮಹಾಯುದ್ಧದ ಕಥನವೇ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಮಹಾಭಾರತ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಪುರಾಣ ಮತ್ತು ವಾಸ್ತವ ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ನಡುವಿನ ಗೆರೆಯೇ ಅಳಿಸಿ, ಪೌರಾಣಿಕತೆ ಮತ್ತು ವಾಸ್ತವಿಕತೆ ಮುಖಾಮುಖಿಯಾಗುತ್ತವೆ. ಮಹಾಭಾರತ ಕಥೆಯ ಪರಿಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಿರಬಹುದಾದ ಎಲ್ಲ ತಾಯಂದಿರೂ ಈ ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರದತ್ತ ಚಲಿಸಿ ಕತೆ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರಾದ್ದರಿಂದ, ಮಹಿಳಾ ಕಣ್ನೋಟದ ಮಹಾಭಾರತ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಗೋಚರವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ವಿಶೇಷವೆಂದರೆ, ಈ ಇಡೀ ಕಥನದ ಸೂತ್ರಧಾರಿಣಿ, ಸಮಕಾಲೀನ ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ಅಸಹಾಯಕ, ಹತಾಶ ತಾಯಿ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಪುಟ್ಟ ಪೆಟ್ಟಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಜೀವಶಕ್ತಿಯ ಬೀಜ ನೆಟ್ಟು ಅದು ಮೊಳಕೆಯೊಡೆದು ಬೃಹತ್ ವೃಕ್ಷವಾಗಿ ಅಡುಗೆ ಮನೆಯನ್ನೇ ಸ್ಪೋಟಿಸುವ ಹೆಣ್ಣುಗಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ, ಮರಕ್ಕೆ ಕಟ್ಟಿ ಸುಟ್ಟು ಹಾಕುತ್ತಿರುವ ಅಣ್ಣಂದಿರನ್ನೇ ನೋಡಿ ಗಹಗಹಿಸುವ ತಂಗಿಯರಿದ್ದಾರೆ, ಹೆಣ್ಣುಗಳ ನಿಟ್ಟುಸಿರ ತಾಪಕ್ಕೆ ಗುರಿಯಾಗಿ ನಲುಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ಗಂಡುಮಕ್ಕಳ ಸಂಕಟ ಕಂಡು ಮರುಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ತಾಯಂದಿರಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆದಿಯಿಂದ ಅಂತ್ಯದವರೆಗೆ ತೂಗುವ ತೊಟ್ಟಿಲು, ಅನುರಣಿಸುವ ಜೋಗುಳದ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಹೆಮ್ಮಕ್ಕಳು ನೀಡುವ ಶಾಪದ ಸರಮಾಲೆಯೂ ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ.
Interested readers may write to us at mup@manipal.edu about purchasing the book.
Also available on

-
Sati Kamale
₹240.00Author: S U Paniyadi Translators: B Surendra Rao, K Chinnappa Gowda
This eponymous novel is centred on Kamale, who is an embodiment of wifely virtue. For fifteen long years Kamale lives the life of a widow to the outside world, nurturing the hopes of reuniting with the husband one day. Alone in the room, each night she wears her marks of a married woman with the dagger gifted by Umesha next to her. It could be seen as an exposition on the then existing indigenous discourse in India in the 19th century and early 20th century. Kamale, in her rigorous commitment and in retrieving her husband from ‘death’, is fashioned after Savithri in an intertextual reference to Mahabharata’s episode of “Satyavan and Savithri”. The novel might look conservative for the present-day reader, but it is a representative literary work of the time when Paniyadi, among many others, wanted to regain the independent status of the Tulu language which had somehow slipped out of its pedestal.
Interested readers may write to us at mup@manipal.edu about purchasing the book.
-
Ekathaari: An Autobiography of a Nomad
₹320.00Author: Kuppe Nagaraja, Translator: Sadananda R
Kuppe Nagaraja’s autobiography is of social importance as it covers the life of a nomadic community. Its uniqueness comes from the fact that the nomadic and semi-nomadic lifestyle is markedly different from that of other communities in the lower socioeconomic strata of society. This autobiography does not glorify the life of its author; it narrates the story of a community through the lens of an individual’s life. It begins as the story of an individual, then becomes the story of a family, and finally transforms into the story of a community. The autobiography grows beyond the traps of self-glorification by providing equal space to all these aspects in a balancedmanner.
– Baraguru Ramachandrappa
Noted Kannada writer, critic and film directorJust as birds migrate to greener pastures, nomadic people move towards regions that have received good rains. Kuppe Nagaraja’s autobiography meaningfully captures their traditions, beliefs, social interactions, and superstitions. This book can also be considered a free gift to social scientists as it provides insights into the life of nomads. It should be noted that it is very difficult to study nomads, as they keep to themselves and often dodge any probing questions. Moreover,
the book provides an answer to all those people who often stand on the footpaths of cities debating the relevance of caste-based reservation in Indian society.
– Krupakara-Senani
The Green Oscar winning wildlife photographersinterested customers may write to us at mup@manipal.edu about purchasing the book.













