Foggy Fool's Farrago: A new rendition of D V Gundappa's 'Mankutimmana Kagga'

by D.V.G., Malathi Rangaswamy, Hari Ravikumar

Arguably the finest work of 20th century Kannada literature, D V Gundappa's Mankutimmana Kagga is a bouquet of remarkable verses that are meditations on life, creation, destiny, art, culture, history, human nature, and the universe. Insightful, humorous, charming, hard-hitting, and inspiring by turns, the Kagga is a song of life that has something for everyone. Foggy Fool's Farrago is a modern translation in simple English with a detailed introduction and copious additional notes that will build the bridge between this masterpiece and readers across the globe.Devanahalli Venkataramanayya Gundappa (1887-1975) was a great visionary and polymath. He was a journalist, poet, art connoisseur, philosopher, political analyst, institution builder, social commentator, social worker, and activist. He founded/edited many newspapers, wrote extensively in Kannada and English, established social organizations and guilds, and worked tirelessly for people's welfare. He lived like a sage till the last, moving easily with rich and poor, bureaucrat and laborer, scholar and unschooled. He received the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 1967 and the Padma Bhushan in 1974.

Genres: Poetry, Self Help, Nonfiction, Philosophy

388 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1943

About the author

Devanahalli Venkataramanaiah Gundappa, popularly known as DVG, was a Kannada writer and philosopher. He is best known for Manku Thimmana Kagga, a collection of verses.

D.V.G has wrtitten several books relating to Poetry, Drama, Essays. He has translated several Shakespeare plays and other Greek plays to Kannada. He has also wrtitten Umarana osage, a translation of poems of Omar Khayyam in Kannada.

He received Kendra Sahitya Academy award. for his work ' Srimad BhagavadGeeta Tatparya' He was also awarded Padmabhushan, the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India in 1974.

His son B. G. L. Swamy was also a writer.

Reviews

[mahesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read more than 500 books in a short visit to this monotonous existence, still, I am proudly unsure about everything. But I read "Mankuthimana Kagga" for once, I became certain about everything. After going through nearly 945 simplistically crafted short poems for the last few days, I have realized everything in life is uncertain, and it put a joker smile on my dim face. I wish I could collect all the stars in the milky way galaxy(maybe entire existence) and offer them to the feet of D.V.G for sharing these gems with flawed souls like me.

If someone genuinely asked, is there any book a man should read before the inescapable death?..
I would have answered Big "No" if I haven't read "Mankuthimana Kagga". This book is must read for everyone, Whether you are a fool(like me), intelligent, idiotic, Hindhu, Christian, or atheist. all of us should read this book once not to gain knowledge, But to summarize our own life experiences through the simplified poems stemming from myriad experiences of D.V.G.

If you ever wanted to pour out all love, absurdity, joy, and emptiness, locked inside your caged heart, Kindly carry this book with your tender heart to the undsicovered land and feel every word like you kiss the lips of a woman whom you love dearly more than your life.

This book is a masterpiece. Maybe I don't believe in the idea of a soul mate when it comes to humans, But this book is my soul mate.
I wish I could hold hands of each poem and dance at the top of a lonely mountain under the shades of moonlight.

Noble prize-worthy material. It beat every religious and philosophical book that exists to date. Simply no one calls it a "Common Man’s Bhagavad Gita”.

[Anirudh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poetry is quite simple and yet so deep. Perhaps this poem says it all,

"Baduku Jataka Bandi Vidhi Adara Saheba.
Kudure Neen, avanu peldante payanigaru.
Maduvego Masanako Hogenda Kadegodu.
Padakusiye Nelavihudu Mankutimma"

English translation,

"Life is a Horse driven cart, Fate its driver
You are the horse, Passengers - as allotted by God
Sometimes rides to a wedding, sometimes to the graveyard
On stumbling, there is always the earth - says Manku Thimma"

[Nayaz Riyazulla · Rating 5 out of 5]

ಸತ್ಕಲೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸುಕಾವ್ಯ ಎಂಬುದು ಜೀವನ ಎಂಬ ಜೈಲಿನ ಎರಡು ಗವಾಕ್ಷಿಗಳು. ಕಾವ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಕಲೆಯ ರಸಸ್ವಾದನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತುತ್ತ ತುದಿಯನ್ನು ಮುಟ್ಟಿ ಲೋಕವನ್ನು ಮರೆಯುವಷ್ಟು ಶಕ್ತಿ ಇದೆ. ಇದೇ ಅನುಭವವನ್ನು ನಾನು ಕುವೆಂಪುರವರ ರಾಮಾಯಣ ದರ್ಶನಂ ಮತ್ತು ಮಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮದುಮಗಳು ಎಂಬ ಸುಕೃತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಓದುವುದರಿಂದ ಕಂಡುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಇದೇ ಅನುಭವವನ್ನು ಕೊಟ್ಟ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಪುಸ್ತಕವೆಂದರೆ "ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮನ ಕಗ್ಗ". ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಸಾಲುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬರೆಯುವಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ನಿಶಕ್ತ. ಕೆಲ ಅನುಭವಗಳನ್ನು ಅನುಭವಿಸಿಯೇ ಸಿದ್ದಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು.

ಒಂದೇ ಗುಕ್ಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕವನ್ನು ಓದುವುದು ತರವಲ್ಲ. ದಿನಕ್ಕೆ 10 ಕಗ್ಗಗಳಂತೆ ಓದಿದರೇ ಮನದ ಆಳಕ್ಕೆ ಇಳಿದು ತಿಳಿಯನ್ನು ಕಲಕುತ್ತದೆ.

ಕಲೆಗಾರನ ಶಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಸೂಚಿಸುವ ಕಗ್ಗವೊಂದಿದೆ.
"ವ್ಯಸನಕಾರಣವೊಂದು ಹಸನಕಾರಣವೊಂದು ರಸಗಳೀಯೆರಡಕಿಂತಾಳವಿನ್ನೊಂದು. ಭೃಶವಿಶ್ವಜೀವಿತಗಭೀರತೆಯ ದರ್ಶನದ ರಸವದದ್ಭುತಮೌನ – ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ".

ಈ ಕಗ್ಗ, ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮನ ಕಗ್ಗ ಕೃತಿಗೆ ಸೂಕ್ತವಾಗಿದೆ.

[Lokesh Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nobel prize winning material if it was written in english :)

[Anusha Arva · Rating 5 out of 5]

The single most important work of literature I've read so far.

Mankutimmana Kagga is one of the most crucial works of literature that conveys profound philosophy in poems (945 of them) of mere four lines each. The work covers nearly every nuance of everyday life while conveying the much needed wisdom. DVG has given insights on simplicity, balance, attachment, detachment, morals, learning, emotional conditioning, nature, hunger, self awareness, hardwork, duties, cosmos, the Universe etc. No wonder it is referred to as “Common Man’s Bhagavad Gita”.

Coming to writing aspects, I am not well versed in HaLegannaDa (old Kannada style) and I do depend on English translations for a lot of Kaggas. From those that I understood without the help of translation, the way DVG strings extremely common words to convey striking philosophies is pure genius. I’ve become a huge fan of metaphors and imagery he employs in his writing. What appealed to me the most is that a number of Kaggas end with a beautiful advice/theory expressed in a single (the last) line containing 3 to 4 words at max. Example:

ಜೀವಮಾರ್ಗವನೂಹ್ಯ - ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ (Life is uncertain. Message being, we should learn to accept and deal with uncertainty.)

ಗಡುವಿರುವುದೆಲ್ಲಕಂ - ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ (Everything, good or bad, has an end. English equivalent: And in time, this too shall pass.)

ಇಂದಿಗಿಂದಿನ ಬದುಕು - ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ (Live in the moment.)

ಅತಿಬೇಡವೆಲ್ಲಿಯುಂ - ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ (Practice moderation. Message being, excess of anything is harmful.)

It is a book that needs to be read at every stage of life.

[Ravindra Pai · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's as good as Tao Te Ching or common man Bhagavad Gita. Even though I am not a fan of poetry but when poetry meets philosophy it is just magic.
Albert Camus says "life is absurd", but DVG invites you to embrace the absurdity with love.
Friedrich Nietzsche says "strive for greatness". but DVG tells you to strive with patience.
As the years pass by, you tell yourself "Yup, Oldman is right" :D

[Nandish Ratkal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am I worthy to review this masterful piece? All I would say is everyone must read it. Every year. The book takes on many dimensions as time passes.

[Chandrashekar BC · Rating 5 out of 5]

100 STAR for this book

[Abhinandan Shekar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and effective translation.

Anything would be less about the actual book i.e. Mankuthimmana Kagga. It is a true masterpiece!

I had a privilege to read this book in its/my native language (Kannada) & I'm very grateful that I got introduced this book early in my life.

[Vinay Kumar]

nice book

[Raviraj · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd Bhagvadgita. If u not study this book ur life is waste just go for it.It will be worth

[Sathya Prakash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great native literature

[Kiran Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

too many questions, questions that can not have answers, metaphoric, metaphysical and deep.

[Ankit · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book

[Santhosha V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not read more than two stanzas in succession, for the poems; they are at all good, they exhausted my capability of reading.

[Venkatagiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterpiece by D V G !

How he wrote this book ?
ಕವಿಯಲ್ಲ, ವಿಜ್ಞಾನಿಯಲ್ಲ, ಬರಿ ತಾರಾಡಿ ।
ಅವನರಿವಿಗೆಟುಕುವವೊಲೊಂದಾತ್ಮನಯವ ॥
ಹವಣಿಸಿದನಿದನು ಪಾಮರಜನದ ಮಾತಿನಲಿ ।
ಕವನ ನೆನಪಿಗೆ ಸುಲಭ - ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ||

Does it answers all the questions of life ?
ಸಂದೇಹವೀ ಕೃತಿಯೊಳಿನ್ನಿಲ್ಲವೆಂದಲ್ಲ ।
ಇಂದು ನಂಬಿಹುದೆ ಮುಂದೆಂದುಮೆಂದಲ್ಲ ॥
ಕುಂದು ತೋರ್ದಂದದನು ತಿದ್ದಿಕೊಳೆ ಮನಸುಂಟು ।
ಇಂದಿಗೀ ಮತವುಚಿತ - ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ॥

How should we lead life ?
ಹುಲ್ಲಾಗು ಬೆಟ್ಟದಡಿ, ಮನೆಗೆ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯಾಗು ।
ಕಲ್ಲಾಗು ಕಷ್ಟಗಳ ಮಳೆಯ ವಿಧಿ ಸುರಿಯೆ ॥
ಬೆಲ್ಲ ಸಕ್ಕರೆಯಾಗು ದೀನದುರ್ಬಲರಿಂಗೆ ।
ಎಲ್ಲರೊಳಗೊಂದಾಗು - ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ॥

ನಗುವು ಸಹಜದ ಧರ್ಮ; ನಗಿಸುವುದು ಪರಧರ್ಮ ।
ನಗುವ ಕೇಳುತ ನಗುವುದತಿಶಯದ ಧರ್ಮ ॥
ನಗುವ ನಗಿಸುವ ನಗಿಸಿ ನಗುತ ಬಾಳುವ ವರವ ।
ಮಿಗೆ ನೀನು ಬೇಡಿಕ��ಳೊ - ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ॥

Many more gems in this book . Read ... Re-read .. Think .. Analyze.. Adapt..

Finally ,
ಪುಸ್ತಕದಿ ದೊರೆತರಿವು ಮಸ್ತಕದಿ ತಳೆದ ಮಣಿ ।
ಚಿತ್ತದೊಳು ಬೆಳೆದರಿವು ತರು ತಳೆದ ಪುಷ್ಪ ॥
ವಸ್ತು ಸಾಕ್ಷಾತ್ಕಾರವಂತರೀಕ್ಷಣೆಯಿಂದ ।
ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಿತನದಿಂದಲ್ಲ - ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ॥

[Prasanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kannadada Bhagavadgeethe 🙏
Must read.

[Moin Shik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi

[Felix Pinto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am least qualified to review D. V. G. Just want to say one sentence. I loved his work since childhood and still continue the same.

[Aryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

superb book

[Arjuna Srinidhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating is for what I felt about the English translation that I read. Hope to read the original in Kannada someday :)

[Bhagesh Aski · Rating 5 out of 5]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍✌✌✌✌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[Balaji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this masterpiece does not complete a reading activity but starts a renaissance of thoughts and self-discovery. A masterpiece.

[Mahesh K]

ghjkuikl

[Vasumathibapat]

Very good book. Contains messages for a good life

[Dr Jyotsna Iyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kagga is a Classic! and finest piece of literature that exist.

[Santhosh Kumar s · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thumba super agi ide life lessons.

[Nikhil Waiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

ತತ್ವದ ಮಾರ್ಗದರ್ಶನ ನೀಡಿದೆ ನೀ ನನಗೆ ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ

[Rudragouda · Rating 5 out of 5]

drrrttr

[Ajay Kiran]

faf