Chandrasekhar Kambara is a Kannada language novelist, composer, folklorist, and poet. He was born in Ghodgeri, Belgaum district, in 1938. Chandrasekhar was educated in Belgaum, he taught Kannada literature at various institutions before becoming Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University and Chairman, National School of Drama. He also directed films, notably Kadu kudure i.e. `Wild Horse` in 1978. This was adapted from Garcia Lorca`s House of Bernarda Alba. Some of his short early plays like Narcissus in 1969, staged in 1971 and Chalesha i.e. `Man with Spectacles` in 1974, staged 1975 were absurdist in technique. Rishyashringa in 1970 staged 1973. This was cinematized by V. R. K. Prasad in 1976 dealt symbolically with the power of sex in a folk style. Most of Kambar`s full-length drama is based upon traditional themes and forms, especially those of north-Karnataka Bayalata. His breakthrough, Jokumaraswami in 1972, is a folk-mythical ritualistic play about fertility and impotence, and their implications extended to agriculture, as well as the failure of revolution in India. Just as the tenant, and not the landlord, is the real owner of land. The potent servant Basanna happens to own sexually the wife of the impotent village chief. B. V. Karanth`s production, with Girish Karnad as the headman, proved very popular in the Indian state of Karnataka.
Angimyalangi i.e. `Shirt over Shirt` in 1975 shows a man`s disappointment over his wife`s ugliness, pushing him to marry again. But after he realizes her moral beauty, he drops the idea of a second marriage. Jay Sidanayaka i.e. `Victory to Sidanayaka` in 1975 has leftist leanings. It throws light on the vicious element in society through the life of an arrogant administrator, and teaches the philosophy that dreamers cannot change the present. Kambar also edited and modernized the tragic play on illicit love, Sangya-Balya i.e. `Sangya and Balya`, originally written by the folk artist Nilakanthappa Pattar, or Pattar Master, and directed it himself in 1975. Harakeya kuri i.e. `Sacrificial Sheep` in 1981, staged 1983 powerfully satirize contemporary Karnataka through a minister`s political exploitation of an officer. Huliya neralu i.e. `The Shadow of the Tiger` in 1984 is another folk-mythical play. The tiger symbolizes truth and its shadow, untruth. There can be no truth without untruth. Siri Sampige in 1986 deals with the dichotomies between mind and body, man and woman. Based on a Kannada folk tale about a prince who has human and serpentine forms also adapted by Girish Karnad in Nagamandala dance form, 1988, it is composed in Yakshagana style.
Chandrasekhar Kambar contributed immensely to Kannada theatre by drawing upon folk themes and techniques, particularly of north Karnataka. In his traditional plays he often reinterprets folk myths and in his social plays he satirizes the corruption and other vices of contemporary society. In his older absurdist work he employed that idiom to present rational themes. Most of his plays are known for their musical quality and vigorous language. Because of their heavy dose of north-Karnataka Kannada, especially the dialect of Belgaum district, they pose great challenges to the translator.
Awards and Honours Received by Chandrasekhar Kambara
* Jnanpith Award - Recipient for the year 2010
* Padma Shri in 2001
* Sahitya Academy award in 1991
* Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1983
* Tagore Literature Award
* National Film Award for the title song of film Kaadu Kudure
* Kalidas Samman
* Kabir Samman in 2002
* Pampa Award in 2003
* Nadoja Award from Kannada University in 2004
Poetry Written by Chandrasekhar Kambara
* Mugulau - 1958
* Helatena Kela - 1964
* Takararinavaru - 1971 (State Academy of Literature Award)
* Saacvirada Neralu - 1979 (Ashan Award in 1982, Kerala)
* Aayda Kavanagalu - 1980
* Belli Meenu - 1989
* Akkakku Haadugale - 1993
* Ee Varegina Helatena Kela - 1993
* Chakori (Epic) - 1996 (Translated into English by Penguin Publication, India in 1999)
* Rocks of Hampi - (Collection of poems translated into English by Nagabhushana Swamy. Published by Sahitya Academi, New Delhi 2004)
Plays Written by Chandrasekhar Kambara
* Bembattida Kannu - 1961
* Narcissus - 1969
* Rishyashringa (Filmed) - 1970
* Jokumaraswamy - 1972
* Chalesha - 1973 (Translated to Hindi by Dakshina Bharath Hindi Prachar Sabha, Chennai in 1973)
* Sangya Balya Anabeko Naadolaga - 1975
* Kittiya Kathe - 1974
* Jasisidanayaka - 1975 (Translated to Hindi by Saraswathi Vihar, New Delhi in 1984 and English. State Academy of Literature Award and "Vardhamana Prashasti" as the Best Book of the Year in Kannada)
* Alibaba - 1980 (Translated and published in Indian Literature, Sahitya Academy)
* Kaadu Kudure - 1979 (Filmed and received National Award)
* Naayi Kathe - 1980 (Filmed as Sangeeta and received 5 Karnataka State Film Awards)
* Kharokhara - 1977
* Mathanthara - 1978
* Harakeya Kuri - 1983 (Filmed and received National Award, translated into Hindi by Gyan Bharathi, New Delhi in 1989)
* Kambara Avara Natakagalu - 1984
* Sambashiva Prahasana - 1987 (Translated into Hindi, English by Seagull Books, Calcutta in 1991 and Tamil)
* Siri Sampige (Sahitya Akademi Award, New Delhi in 1991)
* Huliya Neralu (Filmed) - 1980
* Boleshankara - 1991
* Pushpa Rani - 1990
* Tirukana Kanasu - 1989
* Mahamayi - 1999 (Translated into English by NSD, New Delhi in 2000 and Hindi)
* Nela Sampige - 2004 (Collection of plays published by Kannada Pustaka Pradhikara, Government of Karnataka)
* Jakkana - 2008
* Shivaratri - 2011
Novels and Stories Written by Chandrasekhar Kambara
* Anna Tangi - 1956
* Karimaayi - 1975 (Filmed)
* G.K.Maastarara Pranaya Prasanga - 1986 (Filmed for Doordarshan, translated to Hindi by Vidya Prakashan Mandir, Delhi)
* Singarevva Mattu Aramane - 1982 (State Academy of Literature Award, translated to English by Katha, New Delhi in 2002, Hindi by Radhakrishna Prakashan, New Delhi in 1984 and to Malayalam by DC Books, Kottayam in 1999 as Kulothe Chingaramma)
* Shikhara Soorya - 2007 (Published by Akshara Prakashana and second edition by Ankita Prakashana)