Devanahalli Venkataramanaiah Gundappa, affectionately known as DVG, was a towering intellectual and literary figure in 20th-century Karnataka. Born on March 17, 1887, in the town of Mulbagal in the Kolar district of Karnataka, DVG’s life spanned nearly nine decades of remarkable social, cultural, and political transformation in India. Through it all, he remained a quiet but firm moral compass, writing, guiding, and influencing generations through his works in Kannada literature, journalism, political thought, and public service.

DVG was a man of immense literary talent, but his approach was never driven by literary flair alone. His writing was deeply rooted in ethical reflection, personal discipline, and spiritual inquiry. Among his vast contributions to Kannada literature, his magnum opus is Mankuthimmana Kagga, often compared to the wisdom poetry of Sarvajna and the philosophical elegance of the Bhagavad Gita. Comprising 945 quatrains, the Kagga explores every conceivable aspect of human life, its struggles, moral dilemmas, fleeting joys, and ultimate purpose.

In Mankuthimmana Kagga, DVG ends each verse with the name "Mankuthimma," which loosely means "you fool." But far from being a rebuke, it's a term of endearment, an invitaion to humility, to wonder and to reflect. After all, aren't we all fools, stumbling our way through this bewildering journey called life? 

Each verse, while brief, packs layers of insight. The Kagga does not moralize, but it nudges. It offers gentle wisdom, speaking of moderation, patience, self-reflection, and humility. The beauty of the Kagga lies in its accessibility. It transcends social strata, making deep philosophical insight available to the common person. In later years, he penned a reflective sequel titled Marula Muniyana Kagga, further expanding on similar themes with greater depth.

DVG’s literary prowess, however, was only one aspect of his multifaceted persona. He was a pioneering journalist, launching and editing several publications including Bharata, Karnataka, and the bilingual journal The Karnataka. His journalism, much like his literature, was rooted in principle rather than polemic. He was among the first in Kannada journalism to uphold the idea that editorial responsibility must not be guided by personal gain or political expedience, but by truth, civility, and public interest. His style was dignified, his voice reasoned, and his commitment to intellectual honesty uncompromising.

DVG’s admiration for the early nationalist and moderate leader, Gopalakrishna Gokhale, shaped his own civic ideals. He believed that public life must be spiritualized, not by religiosity but by a commitment to ethics, reason, and service. This conviction led him to establish the Gokhale Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) in 1945 in Bangalore. GIPA became a rare space for non-partisan civic education, democratic discourse, and ethical training in public administration. It drew thinkers, administrators, and youth who wished to cultivate character alongside competence.

His philosophical thought, too, bears the marks of deep introspection and a Vedantic orientation. In works like Jeevana Dharma Yoga, DVG presents an interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita that bridges timeless spirituality with the challenges of modern life. For DVG, the Gita was not a text of renunciation alone but a handbook for life in the world. The concept of karma yoga, acting without attachment to the fruits of action, was central to his outlook. His philosophical writing, awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1967, reflects a rare synthesis of clarity, humility, and practical insight.

At a time when ideology and rhetoric often overtook principle, DVG remained a gentle moralist, urging society to find its center in truth, simplicity, and compassion. He wrote not to impress, but to illumine. His essays, poems, biographies, and speeches were instruments of refinement, cultivating what he called samskrita jeevana, a cultured way of living. His biographies, particularly those of Rangacharlu and Gokhale, were not just historical sketches but studies in character and values, written with the intention of offering ideals for public life.

In recognition of his lifelong contributions, DVG was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1974, a year before his passing. He won the Sahitya Akademi award in 1967 and was also honored by the University of Mysore with a Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.). Even posthumously, his legacy remains strong. In 1988, India Post released a commemorative stamp in his honor, and GIPA continues to function as a living monument to his vision.

Above all, D. V. Gundappa was a sage in the modern world, a thinker who believed that literature must serve life, that thought must lead to character, and that public engagement must stem from self-knowledge. His life offers a luminous example of what it means to live wisely, write truthfully, and serve quietly.

To learn more about DVG's life stories and experiences and his literary works, visit www.prekshaa.in.