405. Sara Abubakar

Born in a Malayalam-speaking family from Kasaragod and as daughter of advocate P Ahamed and Zainabi (both deceased), she married M Abubakar - now deceased - who years later retired from the department of public works of Karnataka as assistant executive engineer. In spite of her Malayalam background, for her to have achieved so much in Kannada, speaks highly of her creativity, skill and commitment.

Speaking to our correspondent in Mangalore, Sara said that when she began writing, she was not even aware of the existence of Sahitya Parishat and institution of awards.

While expressing happiness over being chosen for the awards, she made it clear that she had not written with an intention of winning awards. She had the contentment that with her writing skills she could bring out through some of her novels the turmoil and tribulations undergone by the poor women of her community.

In one of her works, she has re-created the hardships undergone by her late husband during his service in the public works department. He had been transferred to the canals division in distant Raichur a short while before his retirement.

Her nine novels are Chandragiri Teeradalli, Sahana, Kadana Virama, SuLiyalli Sikkavaru, TaLa oDeda doNiyali, Pravaha-suLi, Panjara and ILijaru. She has also authored five collections of short stories and translated six major works from Malayalam into Kannada. The translations include the narration of the excesses during the Emergency (1977-79) and also a narrative of R B Sreekumar IPC, retired DGP of Gujarat on the pogrom that took place there.

The novel Chandragiri Teeradalli has been translated into Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, English and Hindi and has been widely acclaimed. It has been prescribed as a textbook in Bangalore, Mangalore, Kuvempu and Karnataka Women's universities. Her short story 'Niyama NiyamagaLa Madhye' has been included in the pre-univeristy second year textbook.

Since 1994, she has been publishing her works under the home banner of Chandragiri Prakashana. (The river Payaswini from Karnataka flows into Kerala after many tributaries join it, taking the name of Chandragiri. This river plays an important role in her works.)

The awards and honours in her kitty include Karnataka Sahitya Academy award of honour, Karnataka Rajyotsava award, Sahitya Bhushana award from Murugharajendra Math of Chitradurga, Saroja Devi Shri Harsha award, Daana Chintamani Attimabbe award from the government of Karnataka, Babasaheb Ambedkar award from Gorur foundation, Alvas Nudisiri award, Sandesha literary award, Nadoja title from Kannada university of Hampi, best story award for the Tamil movie 'Jameela' based on her novel Chadragiri Teeradalli, honorary Doctorate from Mangalore university, honorary Doctorate from Karnataka Women's university and many others.

She has served in various organizations and bodies like Karnataka Sahitya Academy, Doordarshan preview committee, regional advisory committee of Kendra Sahitay Akademi and many others. In 2005, she presided over the Mangalore taluk Sahitya Sammelana.

Source : mangalorean.com