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Kamala Hampana

Professor

Dr. Kamala Hampana—also affectionately known as “Nadoja”—was a monumental figure in Kannada literature and academia. • Early Life & Education Born on 28 October 1935 in Devanahalli, Karnataka, she pursued her SSLC in Tumakuru and earned both her B.A. and M.A. in Kannada from the University of Mysore by 1958. Her Ph.D. was awarded for her thesis Turanga Bharata. • Academic & Teaching Career Beginning her career in 1959, she taught Kannada in various government colleges, rising to Principal of Government First Grade College, Vijayanagara, Bengaluru. Later, she served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Jainology and Prakrit Studies at the University of Mysore, and held visiting and leadership roles at Hampi University. • Literary & Scholarly Output Over a span of 60 years, she authored 60+ Kannada books across genres, including poetry, fiction, criticism, and biography, as well as two books in English: Attimabbe and Chalukyas and Jainism and Other Essays. She also produced nine key research documents like Thuranga Bharata – Ondu Addhyayana and Adharsha Jaina Mahileyaru. • Advocacy & Cultural Impact A pioneering female voice, Dr. Hampana was actively engaged in women’s and Dalit literary movements in Karnataka, bringing social consciousness to her scholarship. • Honors & Recognition Her illustrious contributions earned her numerous prestigious awards: o Daana Chintamani Attimabbe Award (1998) o Nadoja Award from Hampi Kannada University o Sahitya Akademi Award, Rajyotsava Prashasti, Kittur Rani Chennamma Award, Baba Amte Award. o She also presided over the 71st Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Moodabidri in 2003. • Final Years & Legacy Dr. Hampana passed away on 22 June 2024 in Bengaluru following a heart attack, at the age of 88. In accordance with her wishes, her body was donated to MS Ramaiah Medical College. Leaders across Karnataka, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, expressed their condolences at her passing. Born / Died - 28 Oct 1935 – 22 June 2024 Education - M.A. & Ph.D. in Kannada from University of Mysore Roles - Teacher, Principal, Professor, Chair – Jainology & Prakrit Studies Literary Works - 60+ Kannada books; 2 in English; 9 research documents Advocacy - Champion of women’s and Dalit voices in literature Awards - Attimabbe Award, Nadoja Award, Sahitya Akademi, Rajyotsava, and more Literary Honor - President of 71st Kannada Sahitya Sammelana Final Act - Body donated to medical college as per her wish

14 articles1978–20032 publications
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology · 12Jinamanjari · 2

Writes about

Status of WomenKannada Jaina LiteratureVow of Sallekhana

Articles

Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

Poet Pampa, Jinavallabha and Andhra: A Retrospection

By Kamala Hampana

October 2003
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

The Rāṣṭrakūṭas and Jainism

By Kamala Hampana

April - 2000
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

The Hoysalas and Jainism

By Kamala Hampana

January - 2000
Jinamanjari

The Hoysalas and Jainism

By Kamala Hampana

2000
Jinamanjari

The Rastrakutas and Jainism

By Kamala Hampana

2000
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

Ranji Cennabhairi Devi

By Kamala Hampana

January - 1999
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

Poetess Jakkalamba

By Kamala Hampana

January - 1999
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

Patra–Jagadale Bacaladevi

By Kamala Hampana

January - 1999
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

Saviyabbe – The Warrior

By Kamala Hampana

January - 1999
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

Nagavundi Jakkaiyabbe

By Kamala Hampana

January - 1999
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

Status of Women in Jainism in Karnataka

By Kamala Hampana

January - 1999
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

Essentials of Jaina Metaphysics and Epistemology (Part 2)

By Kamala Hampana

January - 1999
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

Dānacintāmaṇi Attimabbe

By Kamala Hampana

January - 1996
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

Kunda Kunda’s Influence on Some Kannada Poets

By Kamala Hampana

Jan - 1978

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