Karnataka’s literary icon, Nagathihalli Ramesh, shines on the national stage, embodying the spirit of Kazi Nazrul Islam’s rebellious creativity.

• Literary Excellence: Ramesh’s poetry collection Samudra Mattu Male is celebrated across languages and included in university curricula.
• Multifaceted Talent: A poet, filmmaker, and activist, Ramesh bridges art and social change with projects like The Roots and Tili.
• National Recognition: Honored with numerous awards, including the Vishwa Bharatiya Geetanjali and Budha Prajne in 2025.
• Cultural Ambassador: His presence at Kolkata’s Bande Mataram festival and Nazrul award ceremony elevates Karnataka’s literary legacy.

Kolkata: Nagathihalli Ramesh, a distinguished poet, writer, social activist, and filmmaker from Karnataka, received the prestigious Kazi Nazrul Memorial International Lifetime Achievement Award, “Premanjali,” on August 3, 2025, during a grand ceremony at the Ramakrishna Mission Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral House and Cultural Centre in Kolkata. Organized by the Jatiya Sahitya Prakashan Trust to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of the revered rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, the event celebrated Ramesh’s remarkable contributions to literature, environmentalism, social activism, and the arts.

The ceremony, held on August 3, drew an illustrious gathering of educationists, Nazrul researchers, writers, musicians, and enthusiasts. A vibrant cultural program featured recitations of Nazrul’s poems, songs, and musical performances, captivating the audience. Shaktimoy Das, Founder Secretary of the Jatiya Sahitya Prakashan Trust, conducted the proceedings with grace. Notable dignitaries in attendance included Justice Shyamal Kumar Sen (Retd.), former Bengal Governor and High Court judge; Padmashri Surjya Kanta Hazarika, an eminent writer and educationist from Assam; Prof. Mohammad Ali Khan Chowdhury Manik and Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdul Mannan (Manna Rayhan) from Bangladesh; eminent poet and writer Mrinal Kanti Pandit from Tripura; Manoj Kumar Vyas from Rajasthan; and renowned reciters Debashis Bose, Satinath Mukhopadhyay and Siddharta Gangopadhyay gave a very involving introduction in honour of a truly universal soul and a deep hearted person in Shri Ramesh who made connecting people a new meaning.

A Multifaceted Journey of Impact

Born in 1967 in Nagatihalli village, Nagamangala taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka, to T. Rangappa and Kempavva, Nagathihalli Ramesh has carved a unique path as a poet, thinker, short filmmaker, social and political activist, and agriculturist. Holding a BSc from Bangalore University, a Diploma in Journalism from Mysore University, and a Bachelor of Law from Bangalore University, Ramesh displayed intellectual prowess early on. During the 1980s, as a college student, he participated in approximately 150 inter-collegiate debates, winning accolades in each, showcasing his oratory and intellectual depth.

Ramesh’s contributions extend beyond academia. He served as editor, printer, and publisher of the Kannada magazine Spardha Prapancha for 12 years, shaping literary and cultural discourse. His interests span environmentalism, travel, reading, music, theatre, and short filmmaking, reflecting his multifaceted persona. The Government of Karnataka recognized his efforts with the Karnataka State Youth Award (1988–89) and the Environment Award (2001–02) from the Department of Forest, Environment, and Zoology. Over the years, Ramesh has amassed numerous state, national, and international accolades for his work in literature, arts, and social service.

Among his notable awards are the Kannada Kanva B.M. Sri Prashasti Puraskar (2015), Karnataka Praja Ratha Prashasti Puraskar (2015), Sahitya Bhushana Prashasti Puraskar (2015), Nelada Siri-Jeevan Mukhi Award (2015), and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Prashasti from the Bangalore City Corporation (2015). In 2016, he received the Naada Chetana Award, followed by the Jeeva Sangatya Prashasti Puraskar and Kuvempu Udaya Ravi Prashasti Puraskar in 2017. That same year, he was honored with the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda The Legend International Award. In 2019, Ramesh received the Kalinga Vishwa Chetana Rashtriya Prashasti Puraskar and Jeeva Nadhi Rashtriya Prashasti Puraskar.

In 2022, Ramesh’s contributions were celebrated with multiple prestigious awards, including the Vishwa Bharatiya Jeev Jyothi Rashtriya Prashasti Puraskar in association with the Central Government of India and the Uttarakhand Government, dedicated to Shri Bipin Rawat. He also received the Bhartiya Karunya Vishwa Hrudaya Rashtriya Prashasti Puraskar in collaboration with the Central Government and Delhi Government, honoring Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Additionally, the Asthana Rachayitha International Award was presented to him during the 80th birthday celebrations of Sri Ganapathi Sacchidananda Maha Swamiji at Avadhoota Datta Peeta, Mysore. In Rajasthan, he was awarded the Bharateeya Veertha Ekta Rashtriya Prashasti Puraskar in memory of Maharana Pratap and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Shri Krishna Premamrutham Samman Award came from the Ministry of Cultural Department and Uttar Pradesh’s Cultural Department, and the Krantiveer Jeev Chetna Rashtriya Prashasti Puraskar was conferred during the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, commemorating Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh.

In 2023, Ramesh received the Kaaduva Keeram Nagaraju Prashasti Puraskar, followed by the Sahitya Vaani Prashasti Puraskar and Jaga Hrudaya Rashtriya Prashasti Puraskar in 2024, the latter in memory of Jagada Kavi Yugada Kavi Vishwa Manava. The Kannada Sahitya Parishath honored him at the Akhila Bharatiya Kannada Sammelana in Mandya in 2024. Earlier in 2025, during the Shri Maharaja Agrasen Conclave and Universal Soul Tree Foundation’s program in Kolkata, Ramesh was awarded the Vishwa Bharatiya Geetanjali Rashtriya Prashasti Puraskar, dedicated to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, for his exemplary contributions to cultural, literary, musical, environmental, social, and political spheres. On June 29, 2025, in Hiriyur, Chitradurga district, he received the Budha Prajne Rashtriya Prashasti Puraskar in memory of role model politician Shri K.H. Ranganath.

Literary and Artistic Contributions

Ramesh’s literary journey is marked by his poetry collection Samudra Mattu Male (Kannada), translated into English as The Sea and The Rain by Ankur Betegeri and into Hindi as Sagar aur Barish by Girish Jakapure. This collection has been translated into multiple Indian and foreign languages, with some poems included in graduate and master’s syllabi across universities. His short film The Roots, conceptualized and directed by Ramesh, is a refreshing experiment in Kannada cinema, capturing profound life experiences.

In the realm of music, Ramesh’s innovative projects include Tili (Kannada) and Pure (English), a collection of poems set to flute music composed by Bapu Padmanabha. Another musical endeavor, Pada Pada Charita, was created in collaboration with S.R. Ramakrishna and Jenni. His Kannada album Jeeva Jeevada Haadu (Song of Every Life in English, Uyirin Uyiru Pattu in Tamil, translated by Nalla Thambi) was set to music by S.R. Ramakrishna, supervised by Mandolin Prasad, with sound by Kishan Murthy. Other notable albums include Bayala Kannadi, Manada Minchu, Olithu, and Male Kaavu, earning him the affectionate nickname “Avvanni” among friends.

_{A Cultural Milestone in Kolkata}

The Kazi Nazrul Memorial International Award ceremony was part of a broader cultural festival in Kolkata, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the patriotic anthem Bande Mataram. Organized by the Jatiya Sahitya Prakashan Trust, the event took place on May 4, 2025, at the Vivekananda Hall, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture (Golpark). Over 400 dignitaries and delegates from India and abroad attended, marking it as a landmark event. Nagathihalli Ramesh’s presence added significant prestige, highlighting his role as a cultural and literary ambassador.

On April 20, 2025, another event at Mahajati Sadan Seminar Hall in Kolkata, organized by the Shri Maharaja Agrasen Conclave and Universal Soul Tree Foundation, honored Ramesh for his service to the nation through cultural, literary, and social contributions. The program, dedicated to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, underscored his alignment with India’s rich heritage of unity and creativity.

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