Hampanā

Hampanā is conferred with many awards. The latest is Naadoja Award (Teacher of the Land) conferred by Kannada University in 2006. The Acharya Sri Mahaprajna Jain Sahitya award, constituted by Jain Shwetambar Terapanth Sabha, was conferred on litterateur Dr. Hampa Nagarajaiah., consisting of a cash of Rs. 51,000 and a memento, on 13 July 2008. Jain World Foundation USA has bestowed upon him the honor by awarding the prestigious ‘Jewel of Jain World’ award on Mahaveer Nirvana day of 2013. This award is given to selected few who have dedicated their life to serve the cause of Jainism and made significant contribution to propagate Jainism globally and enhance visibility of Jainism worldwide. Apart from this he is bestowed with Karnataka Sahitya Academy award in 1993–94, Janapada Yakshagana Academy award in 1995, National award for the best child literature in 1990, Chavundaraya award in 1996, Kavyananda award in 1997, Karnataka Rajyotsava award in 1998, Shasana Sahitya award and Chi Na Mangala awards in 2001, Sham Baa Joshi award in 2000. Hampanā is felicitated by the monasteries like Nidumamidi Matha, Sringeri Matha, Chitradurga Brihanmatha, Savalagi Matha, Shravanabelagola Matha, Moorusavira Matha and Ilakal Mahantesha Matha for his contribution towards religion and literature. He is honoured with KundKund Gyanpeeth award at Indore, Babulal Amrithlal Sha Gold Medal at Ahmedabad, Acharya Sumathi Sagar award from Sonagiri in Madhya Pradesh for his significant contribution to Jain literature. The civic societies of India and Shimoga have bestowed upon him the titles Sahitya Sindhu in 1997 and as Jnanabhaskara in 2001 respectively. In 2016 Hampana was bestowed with the prestigious Pampa Prashasti instituted by the Government of Karnataka. Recognising his contributions towards the classical Kannada he was chosen by the Human Resource Ministry of the Union Government of India to the honour of President’s certificate.

He served in capacities like professor and dean of arts faculty in Bengaluru University. He also officiated as Director of Jain Research Centre, Director of Institute of Jain Studies, and Director of Department of Kannada and Culture in Government of Karnataka before retiring in 1996.

He also served as an honorary secretary of the Kannada Literary Chair called Kannada Sahitya Parishat from 1966 to 1974 and was elected as its president for three terms during 1978–1986. During his tenure he has published about 300 books in Kannada authored by scholars. When UNESCO declared 1979 as International Year of the Child he published through KaSaPa, 200 books for children written by different writers. He is the man behind erecting a building to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of KaSaPa in the premise of Kannada Saahithya Parishath. He is a visiting professor in many Universities and is serving as an honorary member of the advisory committee at London University, England and Florida International University, US.

Hampanā completed his early education at his native village and neighbouring towns such as Gowribidanur, Madhugiri, Tumkur and Mandya. Later he moved to Maharaja's College, Mysore from where he did his graduation in BA (Honours) and completed his post-graduation in Kannada under the intellectual inspiration of Kuvempu, T. N. Srikantaiah, D. L. Narasimhachar, S.V. Parameshwara Bhatta, K Venkataramappa, Javaregowda at University of Mysore in 1959. He was soon appointed as lecturer in Kannada and served at Mysore Maharani's Arts and Commerce College for Women, Mysore, Sahyadri Science College of Shimoga and Government College at Mandya, DRM Science College at Davanagere and Govt. Arts & Science College at Bengaluru. Meanwhile, he acquired PhD from Bangalore University for A Comprehensive study of Vaddaradhane.

Hampa Nagarajaiah (born 7 October 1936), popularly known by his pen name Hampanā, is an Indian scholar in Kannada language and Jainism. He was born at Hampasandra Village located in Gowribidanur taluk, Chikkaballapura District in the Indian state of Karnataka. Hampanā is married to Kamala Hampana who also a veteran littérateur.