Suragi

by U.R. Ananthamurthy

U.R. Ananthamurthy (1932-2014), author of Samskara and such other contemporary Indian classics, wrote in Kannada. Born in the heart of the Western Ghats, he grew up in an atmosphere steeped in Vedic thought. Suragi is his autobiographical work where he recounts how he grappled with questions of religion and secularism, orthodoxy and modernity, authoritarianism, and democracy. Drawing from Indian thought, he developed the concept of the critical insider, arguing that criticism of a culture becomes genuine and worthy of acceptance when it comes from one living within it. His evocative writing portrayed relationships shaped by the flux of contemporary India. He won the highest literary honours in India, including the Jnanpith, and was shortlisted for the Booker prize. He headed the National Book Trust and Sahitya Akademi, and served as vice-chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. Travelling across the world, Ananthamurthy served as a cultural ambassador who represented
India through its ideas and metaphors. He did not shy away from unpopular stands, and remained a daring writer and provocateur till the very end.

Suragi tells the story of his life. 'Suragi' is the flower that leaves behind a sweet fragrance long after its freshness is no more.

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Udupi Rajagopalacharya Ananthamurthy was a contemporary writer and critic in the Kannada language and is considered as one of the pioneers of the Navya movement. He is the sixth person among eight recipients of the Jnanpith Award for the Kannada language, the highest literary honor conferred in India. In 1998, he received the Padma Bhushan award from the Government of India and in 2013, he was nominated for Man Booker International Prize.

Ananthamurthy's works have been translated into several Indian and European languages and have been awarded with important literary prizes. His main works include Samskara, Bhava, Bharathi Pura, and Avasthe. He has written numerous short stories as well. Several of his novels and short fictions have been made into movies.

Most of Ananthamurthy's literary works deal with psychological aspects of people in different situations, times and circumstances. His writings supposedly analyze aspects ranging from challenges and changes faced by Brahmin families of Karnataka to bureaucrats dealing with politics influencing their work.