Kuvempu
29 December 1894 - 11 November 1994
Kuvempu was a Kannada language poet and playwright from India. Born as Sri Kuvempu in Mysore, he was one of the leading literary figures in the Kannada language and was also a philosopher, educationist and freedom fighter. He was awarded the Jnanpith Award, the highest literary honor in India, for his epic poem "Sri Ramayana Darshanam". Kuvempu's works blended traditional Indian philosophy with modern ideas and were known for their depth and lyrical beauty. He was also the first Indian writer to write a novel in Kannada and is remembered for his contributions to the development of modern Kannada literature.