Menu
A Literary Tour of Bengaluru
A Literary Tour of Bengaluru

A Literary Tour of Bengaluru

Arvind Krishnaswamy

Arvind Krishnaswamy

Neha Kaul

Neha Kaul

Bengaluru is famously known as Pensioners Paradise, Garden City and Silicon City. Did you know that it has also been home to some of the greatest writers? Sadly, most homes belonging to the literary giants of the past have disappeared or been changed beyond recognition. In most cases, the only sign of where they lived is by the streets renamed after them. Times have changed and with all the security and privacy concerns, many writers of today prefer to live inconspicuously. 

So, if we created a literary map of Bengaluru how would it look? This non-exhaustive list of Bengaluru-based writers (spread over a period of 125 years) have not been chosen on any specific criteria. However, their literary prowess is beyond doubt, with a combined total of 3 Jnanpith and 16 Sahitya Akademi awards besides countless other accolades. Together, they have sold millions of copies of their books and their work has also been adapted into popular movies and television serials. Use the map below to navigate through the city and ‘meet’ the literary legends!

Use the scroll-wheel on the mouse to zoom in or out when using a desktop computer. To zoom using a touchscreen or touch-pad, use two fingers to “pinch” in or out. Click on markers to stop at each locality and see the writers. Click on the locality name to jump to the section. Use Back to Map to return.

Rajajinagar

Dr. Ranganath Shrinivas Mugali

Dr. Ranganath Shrinivas Mugali, also known as Ram Shri Mugali, born in Gadag district, worked as a professor of Kannada. He used the pen name “Rasika Ranga” and wrote several books of poetry, fiction, drama and essays. He won the Sahitya Akademi award in 1955 for his admirable work “Kannada Sahitya Charitre“, a concise history of Kannada literature. Dr Mugali lived in Rajajinagar 1st N Block.
Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar was one of the two Iyengar legends of Kannada literature. Famous for his humour and satire, he wrote more than 75 books. Popularly known as just Gorur, he was an active participant in the freedom struggle. His travelogue "Amerikadalli Goruru" (1979), won him the Sahitya Akademi award. Many of his books were made into movies, most notably the rural drama Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu starring Vishnuvardhan and Lokesh. He lived in Rajajinagar 1st block, where the road is named after him.

Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar

Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar was one of the two Iyengar legends of Kannada literature. Famous for his humour and satire, he wrote more than 75 books. Popularly known as just Gorur, he was an active participant in the freedom struggle. His travelogue “Amerikadalli Goruru” (1979), won him the Sahitya Akademi award. Many of his books were made into movies, most notably the rural drama Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu starring Vishnuvardhan and Lokesh. He lived in Rajajinagar 1st block, where the road is named after him.
Back to Map
Koravanji - title and illustration by R K Laxman

Koravanji - title and illustration by R K Laxman

Malleswaram

Less than 10 minutes from Rajajinagar is Malleswaram, a well planned tree-filled suburb which is fighting to retain its old-world charm in the face of rapid commercialisation.

Mysore Shivaram, better known as Ra Shi, was a doctor, humourist, editor, publisher and a talent spotter. He was the force behind our own version of Punch magazine - ‘Koravanji’ (literally 'fortune-telling woman’) for over 25 years. He was quick to spot R K Laxman’s talent and made him the main artist of the magazine much before he became one of the country’s most celebrated cartoonists. Ra Shi’s home was on 6th Main Road in Malleswaram while he had a clinic in the Majestic area.

Dr. Mysore Shivaram

Mysore Shivaram, better known as Ra Shi, was a doctor, humourist, editor, publisher and a talent spotter. He was the force behind our own version of Punch magazine – ‘Koravanji’ (literally ‘fortune-telling woman’) for over 25 years. He was quick to spot R K Laxman’s talent and made him the main artist of the magazine much before he became one of the country’s most celebrated cartoonists. Ra Shi’s home was on 6th Main Road in Malleswaram while he had a clinic in the Majestic area.
It is no exaggeration to state that during the second half of the twentieth century, probably every child in Karnataka had grown up with GP Rajaratnam’s poems about trumpets and puppies. ‘Bannada Tagadina Tutturi’, ‘Nayi Mari, Nayi Mari Thindi Beke’ are two of the memorable poems he wrote for children. Of course, GP Rajaratnam’s work went beyond this and he authored over 200 books spanning fiction, biography and religion. Rajaratnam who used the pen name of ‘Bhramara’ (Bee) lived on 17th Cross Malleswaram which is named after him today.

GP Rajaratnam

It is no exaggeration to state that during the second half of the twentieth century, probably every child in Karnataka had grown up with GP Rajaratnam’s poems about trumpets and puppies. ‘Bannada Tagadina Tutturi’, ‘Nayi Mari, Nayi Mari Thindi Beke’ are two of the memorable poems he wrote for children. Of course, GP Rajaratnam’s work went beyond this and he authored over 200 books spanning fiction, biography and religion. Rajaratnam who used the pen name of ‘Bhramara’ (Bee) lived on 17th Cross Malleswaram which is named after him today.
P T Narasimhachar or Pu Thi Na lived on East Park Road in Malleswaram before he moved to Jayanagar 5th Block in the 1990s. Along with Kuvempu and Da Ra Bendre he was a poet of great distinction. Besides poems, he wrote short stories and dazzling dance dramas, the most famous being 'Gokula Nirgamana, narrating Krishna’s departure from Gokula.

PT Narasimhachar

P T Narasimhachar or Pu Thi Na lived on East Park Road in Malleswaram before he moved to Jayanagar 5th Block in the 1990s. Along with Kuvempu and Da Ra Bendre he was a poet of great distinction. Besides poems, he wrote short stories and dazzling dance dramas, the most famous being ‘Gokula Nirgamana, narrating Krishna’s departure from Gokula.

HV Savitramma

Our last Malleswaram resident, H V Savitramma was a very progressive writer who focused on women’s rights and issues. A gold medallist from Mysore University, she wrote novels, short stories and translated works of Rabindranath Tagore, Anton Chekhov and Charles Dickens. Her grandfather HV Nanjundiah was one of the founders of Kannada Sahitya Parishat. She lived on 15th Cross not far from the famous Kadu Malleshwara Temple.
Back to Map

Sadashivanagar (Raj Mahal Vilas Extension)

Adjacent to Malleswaram lies Sadashivanagar, a premium upscale locality famous for mansions of industrialists, celebrities and politicians.

VK Gokak

Vinayak Krishna Gokak, who wrote under the pen name of Vinayaka lived at his home “Meera Cottage” on 11th Cross Road opposite Sankey Tank. Dr. Gokak was the Vice Chancellor of Bengaluru University between 1966-69. He received Sahitya Akademi award for his Kannada poem ‘Dyava Prithvi‘ and Jnanpith Award in 1990 for ‘Bharatha Sindhu Rashmi‘ in Kannada.
Back to Map

Chamarajpet

Travelling due south for about 20 minutes (on a good day) brings us to Chamarajpet where Venkataramaiah Seetharamiah and Tanjavuru Paramasiva Kailasam lived.

V Seetharamaiah

V Seetharamiah was popularly known as ‘Vee See’.was a legend in Kannada literature. He wrote essays, poems besides being an editor, a critic and a teacher. Even though he was an Economist by education, he taught Kannada in Central College where he retired as head of the Department of Kannada Studies. Vee See was a resident of 2nd Main Road in Chamarajpet.
Vee See’s classmate Kailasam created a revolution in writing plays featuring middle-class society peppered with colloquial Kannada and English expressions. At various times in his life Kailasam stayed at his father’s home ‘White House’ on Alur Venkata Rao Road (then known as Albert Victor Road) opposite Minto Eye Hospital and adjacent to Old Tharagupet. Due to differences with his father, Kailasam often stayed with friends and acquaintances in Bengaluru and other places. Kailasam also stayed for some time with Dr Mysore Shivaram in Malleswaram. On November 23, 1946, a very sick Kailasam died at his relative VT Sreenivasan’s home ‘Avanti’ on South End Road near Tata Silk Farm area. Kailasam lived a nomadic life and his own addition to the last line of the poem by John Howard Payne captures this perfectly -

Tanjavuru Paramasiva Kailasam

Vee See’s classmate Kailasam created a revolution in writing plays featuring middle-class society peppered with colloquial Kannada and English expressions. At various times in his life Kailasam stayed at his father’s home ‘White House’ on Alur Venkata Rao Road (then known as Albert Victor Road) opposite Minto Eye Hospital and adjacent to Old Tharagupet. Due to differences with his father, Kailasam often stayed with friends and acquaintances in Bengaluru and other places. Kailasam also stayed for some time with Dr Mysore Shivaram in Malleswaram. On November 23, 1946, a very sick Kailasam died at his relative VT Sreenivasan’s home ‘Avanti’ on South End Road near Tata Silk Farm area. Kailasam lived a nomadic life and his own addition to the last line of the poem by John Howard Payne captures this perfectly –
Home, sweet home
There’s no place like home! 
– for Kailasam
Back to Map
Courtesy: Suhas Balasubramaniam

Dr. Masti Venkatesha Iyengar's house today

Courtesy: Suhas Balasubramaniam

Courtesy: Suhas Balasubramaniam

Dr. Masti Venkatesha Iyengar's house today

Courtesy: Suhas Balasubramaniam

Gavipuram

Gavipuram – one of the oldest localities of Bengaluru and home to one of the four watch towers built by Kempegowda II – is located between Chamrajpet and Basavanagudi. 

Masti Venkatesha Iyengar was referred to as Masti, Kannadada Asti (treasure of Kannada language). A contemporary of DV Gundappa (DVG), he is considered as one of the most famous writers in Kannada. His legendary evening walks to Basavanagudi Club in Gandhi Bazar via Vidyarthi Bhavan is well-known to all. A winner of Jnanpith award, he wrote under the pen name of Srinivasa. Masti is said to have bought his house in Gavipuram for ₹7,300 and most of his literary masterpieces were created here (fun trivia: he had a parrot as a pet). Today, the house just off Bull Temple Road still looks almost like it did in his time and is managed by the MVJK trust.

Dr. Masti Venkatesha Iyengar

Masti Venkatesha Iyengar was referred to as Masti, Kannadada Asti (treasure of Kannada language). A contemporary of DV Gundappa (DVG), he is considered as one of the most famous writers in Kannada. His legendary evening walks to Basavanagudi Club in Gandhi Bazar via Vidyarthi Bhavan is well-known to all. A winner of Jnanpith award, he wrote under the pen name of Srinivasa. Masti is said to have bought his house in Gavipuram for ₹7,300 and most of his literary masterpieces were created here (fun trivia: he had a parrot as a pet). Today, the house just off Bull Temple Road still looks almost like it did in his time and is managed by the MVJK trust.

Mysore Venkatadasappa Seetharamaiah

A short walk from Masti’s house was the home of Mysore Venkatadasappa Seetharamaiah (pen name Raghava), who lived on 3rd Main road, Gavipuram. A noted Kannada scholar, he worked as a Professor of Kannada in Government College. He showed promise as a young student winning the BM Srikantaiah Gold Medal and eventually wrote over a hundred books.
Back to Map

Basavanagudi

Basavanagudi is home to heritage sites, libraries, publishers, booksellers, vintage markets and restaurants. In many ways, it was the hub of literature and many famous writers added to its allure.

DV Gundappa (DVG)

Dr. DV Gundappa

DV Gundappa known as DVG started as a journalist before contributing in all forms of literature in English and Kannada. He founded the Gokhale Institute of Public Affairs on Bull Temple Road, opposite BMS College of Engineering in Basavanagudi. A great visionary and philosopher, he won the Sahitya Akademi award for a book on Bhagavad Gita. His prowess over language was such that even people who were proficient in English were very afraid of being corrected by him! DVG lived at 18, Nagasandra Road in Basavanagudi, now known as DVG Road. Unfortunately, there is no trace of his residence on the congested road.

P Lankesh

Palyada Lankeshappa or P Lankesh was a writer, journalist and an award-winning filmmaker. His Lankesh Patrike (1980) started a new trend in tabloid journalism that is very popular even today. He lived on Govindappa Road in Basavanagudi. Lankesh’s daughter Gauri, who followed in his footsteps as a journalist and writer, also lived here in her younger days.
Back to Map
Famous writers at the Kannada Short Story Conference in Bengaluru
Famous writers at the Kannada Short Story Conference in Bengaluru

Vishweswarapuram

Formed in 1918, Visweswarapuram is famous for its temples, charities and educational institutions apart from the culinary delights of the food street.

AN Krishna Rao popularly known as Aa Na Kru was the pioneer of Pragatishila Sahitya (Progressive Literature). One of his novels Sandhyaraga was made into a popular Kannada film starring Raj Kumar. He lived in a house called ‘Annapurna’ named after his mother Annapurnamma on Diagonal Road connecting National High School circle to Sajjan Rao circle. The road is known as Dr A N Krishna Rao Road today.

Dr. A N Krishna Rao (Aa Na Kru)

AN Krishna Rao popularly known as Aa Na Kru was the pioneer of Pragatishila Sahitya (Progressive Literature). One of his novels Sandhyaraga was made into a popular Kannada film starring Raj Kumar. He lived in a house called ‘Annapurna’ named after his mother Annapurnamma on Diagonal Road connecting National High School circle to Sajjan Rao circle. The road is known as Dr A N Krishna Rao Road today.
Back to Map

Shankarapuram

Shankarapuram, home to Shankar Mutt came into existence in 1908, about ten years after the dreaded plague resulted in expansion of the city. Even today, it has remained a relatively unspoilt, quiet residential area.

A multi-faceted personality, Devudu Narasimha Shastry (Devudu) was a writer, actor, journalist and Gubbi Veeranna’s partner in film production. His novel Mahakshatriya was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award and Mayura was made into the famous movie starring Dr Raj Kumar. Devudu lived on 13th Cross, Malleswaram (the building is the Government PU College today) and then moved to Shankarapuram between 1937 and 1958, where 1st Main Road is named after him. Eventually, he moved to Jayanagar 7th Block, where he passed away in 1962.

Devudu Narasimha Shastry

A multi-faceted personality, Devudu Narasimha Shastry (Devudu) was a writer, actor, journalist and Gubbi Veeranna’s partner in film production. His novel Mahakshatriya was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award and Mayura was made into the famous movie starring Dr Raj Kumar. Devudu lived on 13th Cross, Malleswaram (the building is the Government PU College today) and then moved to Shankarapuram between 1937 and 1958, where 1st Main Road is named after him. Eventually, he moved to Jayanagar 7th Block, where he passed away in 1962.
Courtesy: Anagha Datta

Devudu Narasimha Shastry

Courtesy: Anagha Datta

Prof CN Mangala

Prof C N Mangala, popularly known as Chi Na Mangala, was a creative writer in Kannada and English. She was appointed the first principal of NMKRV College in Jayanagar at the age of just 33 years. In 1982, Prof Mangala started Shaswati, a museum dedicated to women, which unfortunately closed in 2017. She translated many classics, wrote biographies, plays and poems besides being a champion of women’s rights. Dr Mangala lived on 3rd Cross Road in Shankarapuram.
Back to Map

Hanumantha Nagar

Hanumatha Nagar, originally known as Sunkenahalli was formed around 1945. Adjacent to Basavanagudi, it is home to a number of temples and the well-known BM Sreenivasaiah College of Engineering.

MK Indira wrote her first book at the age of 45, thanks to her close friend and writer Anasuya (BM Srikantaiah’s niece who wrote under the name of Triveni).  After this she did not look back and went on to write over 55 books that became best-sellers. Women were protagonists in many books and 8 of them were made into successful films. An avid reader and filmbuff, she worked closely with Puttanna Kanagal and was also a jury member for Karnataka state film awards. M K Indira lived in Hanumantha Nagar, adjacent to Basavanagudi.

MK Indira

MK Indira wrote her first book at the age of 45, thanks to her close friend and writer Anasuya (BM Srikantaiah’s niece who wrote under the name of Triveni).  After this she did not look back and went on to write over 55 books that became best-sellers. Women were protagonists in many books and 8 of them were made into successful films. An avid reader and filmbuff, she worked closely with Puttanna Kanagal and was also a jury member for Karnataka state film awards. M K Indira lived in Hanumantha Nagar, adjacent to Basavanagudi.
Back to Map

Banashankari 

Banashankari in South Bengaluru, spread over 13 square kms, has become the largest locality in Bengaluru today. Comprising many stages, phases and private layouts, it has attracted many celebrities who have made it their home. Interestingly, three much loved Kannada poets lived around Banashankari.

Kikkeri Subbarao Narasimhaswamy

Kikkeri Subbarao Narasimhaswamy, was popularly known as KS Narasimhaswamy of Mysore Mallige fame. He worked in the State Government besides authoring about 20 books including 8 containing poetry. He was a Sahitya Akademi award winner for his book ‘Tereda Bagilu’ (Open Door). Narsimhaswamy lived in Mysore Bank Colony in Banashankari until the 1980s and later moved to 6th Main Road in Jayanagar 4th Block.

Guggari Shantaveerappa Shivarudrappa

Guggari Shantaveerappa Shivarudrappa or GS Shivarudrappa was an academic at the Centre of Kannada Studies in Bengaluru University and author of  many collections of poems, novels, and travelogues. He was honoured with the title of Rashtrakavi by the Government of Karnataka in 2006. Dr GSS lived on 18th Main road in Banashankari 2nd Stage.

KS Nisar Ahmad

Last, but not least in this list is KS Nisar Ahmad, who worked as a professor of Geology in the Government Science College, Bengaluru. A student of GP Rajaratnam and MV Seetharamaiah, he is best known for his compilation ‘Nityotsava’ (1978). Nisar Ahmad lived in Padmanabha Nagar area of Banashankari 2nd stage.
Back to Map
Jayant Kaikini
Jayant Kaikini
Sudha Murty
Sudha Murty

Kumaraswamy Layout

Jayant Kaikini

Jayant Kaikini is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed writers of modern Kannada literature. Besides books that have won many awards, Jayant is also famous for his innovative and creative lyrics for Kannada films. Some years after moving from Mumbai to Bengaluru, Jayant settled in Kumaraswamy Layout, one of the newer residential neighbourhoods formed in the 1980s.
Back to Map

Jayanagar

Once upon a time, no roads led to Jayanagar, because the last bus stop was at South End circle. Once known as the ‘biggest planned extension in South Asia’, it has now became a much coveted area for building homes. 

One of the earliest writers to setup home in Jayanagar in the 1960s was Kulakunda Shiva Rao or Niranjana who wore many hats as a journalist, editor and author of many award-winning books. A strong believer in leftist ideology, his most famous book was Chirasmarane (unforgettable) which won him the Soviet Land Nehru award in 1974. Married to Dr Anupama Niranjana, an author in her own right, they lived on 7th Main Road, Jayanagar 5th Block in the house aptly named ‘Kathé’ (Story).

Kulakunda Shiva Rao

One of the earliest writers to setup home in Jayanagar in the 1960s was Kulakunda Shiva Rao or Niranjana who wore many hats as a journalist, editor and author of many award-winning books. A strong believer in leftist ideology, his most famous book was Chirasmarane (unforgettable) which won him the Soviet Land Nehru award in 1974. Married to Dr Anupama Niranjana, an author in her own right, they lived on 7th Main Road, Jayanagar 5th Block in the house aptly named ‘Kathé’ (Story).

Girish Raghunath Karnad

Girish Raghunath Karnad was born in Matheran, Maharashtra. He was a multifaceted personality excelling as an actor, director, littérateur and playwright. Girish lived in Dharwad before moving to Bengaluru. Girish lived on 2nd Main Road in Jayanagar 7th block and later in JP Nagar 2nd phase. Ironically, both have turned commercial with the former becoming the office of a private company and the latter is a Cambodian restaurant.

Sudha Murty

Sudha Murty of Infosys fame, is an engineer by profession as well as a respected educator, philanthropist and writer.  She has authored numerous books in Kannada and English including 8 for children. She has been a resident of Jayanagar 5th Block since Infosys moved to the city in 1983.
Shashi Deshpande at her Jayanagar home. Courtesy: Peevee
Shashi Deshpande at her Jayanagar home.

Courtesy: Peevee

Shashi Deshpande

A few minutes of walk apart is the Jayanagar 5th Block home of Shashi Deshpande, daughter of Adya Rangacharya popularly known as Sriranga. Shashi has written short stories, novels and books for children in English.
Back to Map

Ashok Nagar

Ramachandra Guha

Heading north again, our final stop on this literary tour would bring us to Brunton Road where Ramachandra Guha has a home. A well-known historian and biographer, Dr Guha has authored books on a variety of subjects from Gandhi to cricket.
A Literary Tour of Bengaluru

Bengaluru has been the destination of choice and home for many writers. Of the twenty-six featured, only TP Kailasam and HV Savitramma were actually born here, but the city has given everyone from Kailasam to Kaikini, the space and environment to flourish and enthrall us for over a century. Together with its thriving book business, libraries, annual lit-fest and literary events, Bengaluru can definitely stake its claim to be called the ‘Literary City of India’.

All images and illustrations are copyright of respective creators. Do not reproduce without written permission.

Back To Top
© 2019-2024 Bengaluru.com
All Rights Reserved