U.R. Ananthamurthy’s Poetry Defies Conventional Categorisation, Says Prof. Hiregange at INTACH–Art Kanara Talk
MANGALURU, November 15, 2026: The poetry of U.R. Ananthamurthy cannot be confined to any single established tradition of Kannada literature, as it reflects a complex interplay of literary expression, political thought and philosophical inquiry, observed noted writer and researcher Prof. (Dr.) Varadesh Hiregange.
He was speaking at a talk titled ‘U.R. Ananthamurthy as a Philosophical Poet – Tattvika Kaviyagi Ananthamurthy’, jointly organised by Art Kanara Trust and the Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) at the Kodialguthu Centre for Art and Culture on Saturday, November 14.
Prof. Varadesh Hiregange is a writer and researcher whose doctoral research focused on U.R. Ananthamurthy’s philosophy of education. His areas of academic interest include poetics, politics and philosophy. He has also published a collection of poems titled ‘Yaava Shabdada Maaye’.
Introducing Ananthamurthy’s literary contributions, Prof. Hiregange observed that although the celebrated writer was widely recognised for his novels and short stories, and had received the Jnanpith Award and been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, his poetry remained relatively unexplored. He pointed out that only a handful of literary critics, including Prof. K.V. Thirumalesh, Prof. G.S. Amur and Dr. H.S. Venkatesha Murthy, had undertaken extensive studies of Ananthamurthy’s poetry.
“I believe that the three Ps that define Ananthamurthy’s poetry are poetics, politics and philosophy. Many contradictory ideas conflicted within his mind, but this was also the source of his creativity,” he said, highlighting the distinctive character of the poet’s literary expression.
Prof. Hiregange elaborated on his observations through readings and interpretations of selected poems, including ‘Thirukanaagi Kavi’, ‘Jailinda Varavara Rao Bareda Kagada Odi’, ‘Gururaya’ and ‘Ooru-Desha’. The readings provided the audience with an opportunity to examine the philosophical and political dimensions of Ananthamurthy’s poetry and appreciate this lesser-explored aspect of his literary legacy.
The talk was followed by an interactive discussion on Ananthamurthy’s literary influences, translations of his works, the political dimensions of his poetry and initiatives to introduce his writings to younger generations.
INTACH Mangaluru Chapter Convener Subhas Basu welcomed the gathering, while Co-convener Nemiraj Shetty introduced the speaker. Prof. Hiregange was felicitated during the programme.