Senior Kannada writer, critic, and folklore scholar Prof. Mogalli Ganesh passed away in the early hours of Sunday (October 5, 2025) at his residence in Hosapete, Vijayanagara district. He was 63. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
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Professor Mogalli had been suffering from multiple organ ailments for the past few years and was hospitalised several times for treatment. He was recently brought home and was under the care of his family members.
Born on July 1, 1962, at Santemogenahalli in Channapattana taluk of Ramanagara district, Professor Mogalli came from a Dalit family and rose to prominence as one of Karnataka’s most original voices in literature and folklore studies. He held double master’s degrees – one in Economics and another in Folklore – and obtained his Ph.D. for his research on the evolution of Karnataka’s village deity culture.
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He served as a Professor in the Department of Folklore Studies at Kannada University, Hampi, for nearly 28 years and was a Syndicate Member of Karnataka Folklore University, Shiggavi, in Haveri district.
A prolific writer, Professor Mogalli authored works across multiple literary forms including short stories, novels, plays, and critical essays. His major short story collections include Buguri (1992), Atte (1998), Bhoomi (2002), Mannu (2004), Kannemale (2010), Mogalli Kathegalu (2010), and Devara Dari (2017). His novels include Tottilu (2006), Kireeta (2007), Anadi (2008), Hokkulu (2024), Alli Yaroo Illa (2024), and Bittuhoda Manushya.
His critical and cultural studies’ works include Deshi (1997), Sollu (1998), Dalitaru Mattu Jagatikarana (1998), Dalita Kathana (2005), Maukhika Kathana (2006), Hampi Jeevajala Janapada (2007), Adima (2004), Takararu (2008), Jaati Meemamse (2012), Ambedkar Emba Mahanadi Mattu Dalitikaranagonda Gandhiji (2017), Dalita Janapada (2024), Samskruti Mattu Asprushyate (2024), Avyakta Charitre (2010), and Adima Janapada (2018).
His street plays include Moote (1994), Ottappa (1995), Maaru Maaru Desha Maru (1998), and Baligamba (2000). He also edited several volumes, including Dalita Adhyayana, Deshi Kathana, Hyderabad Karnatakada Kathegalu, Urida Negilu, Mateeya Bhayavatara, and Bannada Chitta.
Nanembudu Kinchittu is his autobiography.
Professor Mogalli received numerous honours, including the Kavyananda Award, U.R. Ananthamurthy Award, Goruru Ramaswamy Award, Masti Award, Besagarahalli Ramanna Award, Putina Poetry Award, Muddanna Ratnakaravarni Award, B.H. Sridhar Award, National Culture Award, G.S. Shivarudrappa Award, Vardhamana Award, Karnataka Sahitya Academy Honorary Award, and Siddalingayya Poetry Award.
His acclaimed novel Tottilu was translated into English as The Cradle and published by Lincom GmbH in 2018. Several of his short stories have been translated into Swedish, German, Polish, and many Indian languages, earning him a wide readership beyond Karnataka.
Published – October 05, 2025 03:03 pm IST
