T.N. Shivakumar receives DVG Award 2025

T.N. Shivakumar, popularly known by his pen name “Tanashi”, was conferred the DVG Award 2025 by the DVG Balaga Pratishtana.

About the Awardee • Hometown: Mandya district, Karnataka • Academic Background: MA in Kannada

Profession: Chief Administrative Officer in the Judiciary Department; formerly a Kannada lecturer

Literary Contributions:

About the DVG Award Named after D.V. Gundappa (DVG), the legendary Kannada thinker and poet

Recognizes excellence in Kannada literature, philosophy, and public discourse

About D.V. Gundappa D.V. Gundappa was a towering figure in modern Kannada literature, philosophy, journalism, and public life.

Who Was D.V. Gundappa? 

 • Full Name: Devanahalli Venkataramanaiah Gundappa • Born: March 17, 1887, Mulbagal, Kolar (then Kingdom of Mysore) • Died: October 7, 1975

Major Work: Mankuthimmana Kagga (1943) – a collection of 945 reflective verses, often likened to Sarvajna’s wisdom poetry

Philosophy:

 Jeevana Dharma Yoga – commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (Sahitya Akademi Award, 1967)

Biographies: Diwan Rangacharlu, Gopalakrishna Gokhale

Political Thought: Principles of Constitution, Probity in Public Life – pioneering works in Kannada political science

Journalism & Public Life Founded Kannada newspapers like Bharata and The Karnataka

Established the Gokhale Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) in 1945—still active in Bengaluru as a hub for civic dialogue

Honors & Legacy Padma Bhushan: Awarded in 1974