Senior Kannada writer, critic, and scholar of folklore Prof. Mogalli Ganesh died in the early hours of Sunday (October 5, 2025), who was at his residence in Hosapate, Vijayanagar district. He was 63 years old. He has survived his wife and three daughters.
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Professor Mogalli was suffering from many organ diseases for the past few years and was admitted to the hospital several times for treatment. He was recently brought home and was in care of his family members.
Born on 1 July 1962 in Santamogenhalli in Channapatana Taluk in Ramnagara district, Professor Mogalli came from a Dalit family and grew prominently as one of the most original sounds in Karnataka in literature and folklore. He obtained a double master’s degree – one in economics and the other in folklore – and received his PhD. For their research on the development of the village deity culture of Karnataka.
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He served as a professor in the Public Tale Department at the University of Kannada, Hampi for nearly 28 years and was a syndicate member of Karnataka Loktha University, Shigivi in ​​Haveli district.
Professor Mogalli, a vast writer, worked in many literary forms in many literary forms including short stories, novels, plays and important essays. Their major short story collections include Buguri (1992), et (1998), Bhoomi (2002), Mannu (2004), Kannmale (2010), Mogalli Kathegalu (2010), and Devra Dari (2017). His novels include Totilu (2006), Kirita (2007), Anadi (2008), Hokkulu (2024), Ali Yaru Illa (2024), and Bituhoda Manusya.
In his critical and cultural studies, domestic (1997), Solu (1998), Dalit Mattu Jagatikaran (1998), Dalita Kathana (2005), Makhika Kathana (2006), Hampi Jeevajala Janapada (2007), Adima (2004), 2012 (2004), Takhari (2004), Tkharu (2004), Tkharu (2004), 2012) (2017), Dalita district (2024), Samskruti Mattu Aspushte (2024), Avacta Charitre (2010), and Adima Janpada (2018).
His street plays include Moté (1994), Otappa (1995), Maru Maru Deshu Maru (1998), and Baligamba (2000). He also edited several versions, including Dalita chapter, indigenous statement, Hyderabad Karnatakada Kathagalu, Urada Negilu, Mateya Bhayavatra and Bannad Chitt.
Nanambudu Kinchitu is his autobiography.
Professor Mogalli received many honors, including Kavianand Award, Ur Anantamurthy Award, Goruru Ramaswamy Award, Masti Award, Basagarhalli Ramna Award, Putina Poetry Award, Midana Ratnakar Award, B. Sridhar Award, National Culture Award, Slaughter Award, Gess Shivruddarappa Award, Slaughter Award, Slaughter Award, Siddalingya Kavita Award.
His acclaimed novel Totilu was translated into English as a cradle and published by Linkom GMBH in 2018. Many of his small stories have been translated into Swedish, German, Polish and many Indian languages, giving him a wide reader beyond Karnataka.
Published – October 05, 2025 03:03 PM IST