The Story of Mookajji and Subbraya: A Journey through Culture, History and Philosophy in Mookajjiya Kanasugalu
Mookajjiya Kanasugalu: A Kannada Epic Novel by K. Shivaram Karanth
Introduction
If you are looking for a novel that will make you think deeply about life, culture, history and philosophy, then you should read Mookajjiya Kanasugalu by K. Shivaram Karanth. This novel is one of the finest works of Kannada literature and has won many awards and accolades. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this novel, its author, its plot, its themes, its translations and its adaptations.
mookajjiya kanasugalu book in kannada
What is Mookajjiya Kanasugalu?
Mookajjiya Kanasugalu (English: Dreams of Mookajji) is a 1968 Kannada epic novel written by K. Shivaram Karanth. It won the Jnanpith Award in the year 1977. The novel is about the thoughts of human being of today's generation. It deals with the beliefs, the origin of tradition etc.
The name of the novel itself is interesting as when translated, it says "Dreams of Silent Granny". Although the author does not want to mention any of the character as lead characters, its Granny and her grandson who are two main lead characters of this novel. Grandson represents every human being who has doubts about the origin of superstitious beliefs and tradition. Grandma in this novel has got a strength of seeing the things which are going to happen and which are happened before in the form of dreams. Mookajji represents our beliefs in this book. She tries to reveal our true beliefs.
Who is K. Shivaram Karanth?
K. Shivaram Karanth was a Kannada writer, social activist, environmentalist, Yakshagana artist, film maker and thinker. He was described as the "Rabindranath Tagore of Modern India who has been one of the finest novelists-activists since independence" by Ramachandra Guha. He was the third person among eight recipients of Jnanpith Award for Kannada, the highest literary honour conferred by the Govt. of India.
He wrote 47 novels, 31 plays, four short stories, six books of essays and sketches, thirteen books on art, 2 volumes of poems, 9 encyclopedias, and hundreds of articles on various issues and subjects. He was also a pioneer in environmental conservation and education in Karnataka. He died on 9th December 1997 in Manipal, Karnataka.
Why is Mookajjiya Kanasugalu important?
Mookajjiya Kanasugalu is considered one of the greatest novels in Kannada literature. It is a masterpiece that combines realism, fantasy, folklore and philosophy in a captivating narrative. It reflects Karanth's deep knowledge and understanding of Indian culture and history, as well as his critical and creative vision. It challenges the readers to think beyond their conventional beliefs and assumptions, and to explore the mysteries and complexities of life.
The novel also has a universal appeal as it deals with themes that are relevant to human life and society across time and space. Some of these themes are: the nature of reality, the origin of tradition, the role of religion, the quest for knowledge, the value of diversity and the responsibility of freedom.
Plot Summary
The Setting
The novel is set in a village called "Mooduru", which means "three villages" in Kannada. It is a typical rural setting with fields, forests, rivers and temples. The village has its own customs, traditions and festivals that are influenced by various religions and sects. The novel depicts the life of the villagers in detail, showing their joys and sorrows, their hopes and fears, their conflicts and harmony.
The Characters
The novel has two main characters: Mookajji and Subbraya. Mookajji is an old woman who lost her husband at the age of ten years. She lives alone in a hut near the forest. She has a special gift of seeing things that others cannot see in her dreams. She can see the past events that have shaped the history and culture of India, as well as the future events that will affect the destiny of mankind. She can also see the hidden truths behind the apparent realities of life.
Subbraya is Mookajji's grandson who loves her dearly. He is a young man who has a thirst for knowledge and a passion for justice. He is not satisfied with the answers given by his elders or his teachers about various matters. He wants to know the reason behind everything that happens in the world. He often visits his grandmother to listen to her stories and to ask her questions about god, culture, belief, evolution and other social issues.
The novel also has many other characters who play important roles in the story. They include Subbraya's parents, his friends, his teachers, his love interest Kamala, his rival Narayana Rao, his guru Rama Shastri, his mentor Basavappa Shetty and many others.
The Themes
The novel deals with many themes that are relevant to human life and society. Some of them are:
The nature of reality: The novel questions what is real and what is illusion in life. It shows how different people have different perceptions and interpretations of reality based on their beliefs, experiences and expectations.
The origin of tradition: The novel explores how traditions are formed and transmitted across generations. It shows how traditions are influenced by various factors such as geography, history, religion, politics and culture.
The role of religion: The novel examines how religion affects human life in positive and negative ways. It shows how religion can provide meaning and guidance to people as well as cause conflicts and violence among them.
The quest for knowledge: The novel portrays how human beings seek knowledge from various sources such as nature, books, teachers, elders and dreams. It shows how knowledge can empower or enslave people depending on how they use it.
The value of diversity: The novel celebrates the diversity of human beings in terms of their languages, cultures, religions and opinions. It shows how diversity can enrich human life as well as challenge it.
The responsibility of freedom: The novel highlights how human beings have freedom to choose their actions and their consequences. It shows how freedom can be used for good or evil purposes depending on one's values and intentions.
Translations and Adaptations
Translations in Other Languages
The novel has been translated into many languages such as English (Dreams Of Mookaji), Tamil (Mukkajiya Kanavugal), Telugu (Mukkajiya Kalalau), Hindi (Mukkaji Ke Sapne), Oriya (Mukkaji Ra Swapna) and Malayalam (Mookambikayude Swapnangal).
Movie Adaptation
Mookajjiya Kanasugalu has been adapted into a movie in Kannada language with the same name as title of the movie.[1] [2] The movie was directed by P.Sheshadriand released in 2018.[1] [2] The movie starred B.Jayashreeas Mookajjiand Tejaswini Prakashas Kamala.[1] [2] The movie received critical acclaimand won several awards including National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada.[1] [2]
Awards and Recognition
Jnanpith Award
The novel received the Jnanpith Awardin 1977.[3] The Jnanpith Awardis India's highest literary honour given by Bharatiya Jnanpithto an author for their "outstanding contribution towards literature".[4] Karanth was person to receive this award for Kannada literature.[3] The award was given for his novel Mookajjiya Kanasugalu, which was considered a landmark in Kannada literature.[3] The award citation praised Karanth for his "rich and varied contribution to literature" and for his "deep understanding of Indian culture and its values".[3]
Other Awards and Honors
Karanth received many other awards and honors for his literary and cultural achievements. Some of them are:
Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award of India, in 1968.[7]
Sahitya Akademi Award, the highest literary honor given by Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, for his novel Marali Mannige in 1958.[7]
Pampa Award, the highest literary honor of Karnataka state, for his novel Alida Mele in 1992.[7]
Nadoja Award, the highest honor conferred by Hampi University, for his contribution to Kannada culture and education in 1992.[7]
Honorary doctorates from eight universities, including Mysore University, Bangalore University, Mangalore University and Karnataka University.[7]
Conclusion
Mookajjiya Kanasugalu is a novel that deserves to be read by everyone who loves literature and culture. It is a novel that showcases the genius and versatility of K. Shivaram Karanth, one of the greatest writers of India. It is a novel that explores the mysteries and complexities of life through the dreams of an old woman and the questions of a young man. It is a novel that challenges and enriches the mind and the soul of the reader.
FAQs
What is the meaning of Mookajjiya Kanasugalu?
It means Dreams of Mookajji in Kannada language.
Who is Mookajji in the novel?
She is an old woman who lives alone in a hut near the forest. She has a gift of seeing things in her dreams that others cannot see.
Who is Subbraya in the novel?
He is Mookajji's grandson who loves her dearly. He is a young man who seeks knowledge and justice in life.
What are some of the themes of the novel?
Some of the themes are: the nature of reality, the origin of tradition, the role of religion, the quest for knowledge, the value of diversity and the responsibility of freedom.
What are some of the awards that the novel and its author have received?
The novel received the Jnanpith Award in 1977. The author received many awards such as Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi Award, Pampa Award, Nadoja Award and honorary doctorates from eight universities.