Bornali Biswas –Editor in Chief
Sri Nagathihalli Ramesh Ji, born in 1967 in Nagathihalli village of Mandya district, Karnataka, is a poet, thinker, filmmaker, social activist, and agriculturist whose life embodies creativity, courage, and social service.
Ramesh Ji’s academic journey is as inspiring as his life’s work. He holds a B.Sc. and LL.B. from Bangalore University and a Diploma in Journalism from Mysore University. During his college days, he astounded peers and teachers by winning every one of the 150 inter-collegiate debates he entered, a remarkable feat for someone who was once ridiculed for stammering in childhood. This marked the rise of a communicator and cultural leader of rare talent.
As a poet, his works have been celebrated for their earthiness and social concern. His acclaimed anthology Samudra Mattu Male has been translated into English (The Sea and the Rain) and Hindi (Sagar aur Barish), and his poems have become part of university curricula. His lines often echo the dignity of labor and the intimacy of nature, reflecting his rural roots. Beyond literature, he has directed the short film The Roots, produced award-winning short films on education and environment, and collaborated musically with artists like Bapu Padmanabha (Tili) and S.R. Ramakrishna (Jeeva Jeevada Haadu). His work blends poetry, cinema, and music into a holistic expression of art and activism.
Ramesh Ji’s journey was far from easy. Despite belonging to a well-to-do family, he endured personal struggles, worked as a fruit seller and newspaper boy, and even faced despair and suicidal attempts. Yet, these experiences only deepened his compassion and fueled his resolve to uplift others. He went on to establish Spardha Prapancha, a magazine for aspiring rural youth, and organizations like Spandana Yuvajana Kendra and Paraspara Samajika Samste, championing social and cultural causes.
He has been widely recognized for his contributions. Honors include the Karnataka State Youth Award, the Environment Award, Vishwa Bharatiya Jeev Jyothi Rashtriya Puraskar, Shri Krishna Premamrutham Samman, and the prestigious Vishwa Bharatiya Geetanjali Rashtriya Prashasti Puraskar. His works have taken him to over 30 countries as part of cultural exchanges and literary festivals, including a recent appearance in Kolkata at the Jatiya Sahitya Prakashan Trust’s event celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram.
Despite his fame, Ramesh Ji remains deeply grounded, finding joy in agriculture and nature. His humility and moral courage set him apart—he uses his words to stand for justice and civil rights rather than personal popularity. His speeches are captivating, his presence magnetic, yet his essence is simplicity and humanity.
Influenced by thinkers from Basavanna and Kuvempu to Rumi and Tagore, and politically aligned with Gandhi, Ambedkar, and Lohia, Ramesh Ji embodies both tradition and modernity. His life demonstrates that greatness is not defined by ease but by rising through struggle, using one’s intrinsic voice to uplift others.
From a barefoot boy on railway tracks to an internationally recognized poet and activist, Sri Nagathihalli Ramesh Ji proves that where one begins does not define where one can go. His legacy of literature, art, and social commitment continues to inspire generations, reminding us that creativity and compassion can change the world.
