The NRI Newsmaker introduces to you today, a man of words. A poet, who has mesmerized so many people around the world, and brought great honour to his motherland, and our very own state, Karnataka.
The versatile Mr. Iranna Mulimani is an engineer by profession and a poet by passion. He belongs to Bagalkot, the land of royalty and courage, the capital of the erstwhile Chalukya Empire, now a land which is known for its industrial developments and cultural and tourist attractions.
Iranna Mulimani shared some of his experiences from his wonderful journey from being a boy with a passion to write to a service oriented, talented and well-deserving poet in UAE with Newskarnataka in wide ranging interview.
Hailing from a small village known as Amingad of Bagalkot district, Iranna was very active from his childhood in cultural and literary activities. The support and motivation from his parents and teachers, he says, attracted him towards the enchanting world of poetry.
After completing his formal education, he moved to Dubai, one of the world’s most happening cities, for his livelihood and he started his career here. Although surrounded by people with a modern outlook, people who know him say that Iranna’s attitude and modest nature haven’t changed even a bit.
The poet inside in Iranna was waiting to come out for so many years and it did, when he finally began to pen down his poetic thoughts. He also wrote articles on several relevant issues. He chose to be recognized by his pen name ‘Kasturipriya’ for his poetry and ‘Kannadasuta’ for his articles.
He mesmerized several music lovers in Dubai as well as India, when in 2006, he complied his compositions and gave them a musical touch which he then released as his debut album called ‘Hadidhe Shrungara Kavya’. He created magic yet again in 2012 with the release of his second album ‘Hrudaya pallavi’. He went on to release a book ‘Bhava Dundubhi’ in 2012-13.
Speaking about the appreciation he received from the Konkani and Tulu speaking community in the UAE, Iranna expressed immense gratitude to the people of these communities for showing him so much love and encouraging him. Although, he did feel that everyone should come under the Kannadiga community along with their individual identity. Only then will Kannada culture truly flourish, he said.
A true artist works not only for himself but ensures that the society benefits from his work and his love for the art. Iranna, gave immense contributions to the world of music and literature. But apart from this, he provided his services as a Kannada teacher to Kannada students in the UAE. He did so by starting a Kannada teaching school by the name ‘Kannada Kuteera’ where he taught children to read and write Kannada.
He rendered his selfless service for two and half years and then he utilized his free time and holidays to teach kannada and keep the language alive in UAE. Truly, he has been an inspiration to many.
He also served as the president of Kannada Koota association in Dubai from the year 2010 to 2011 and during his time he established a Kannada Library in association with Pustaka Abhivraddi Pradhikara of the Govt of Karnataka and celebrated Kannada Rajyotsava with the support of the Kannada and culture department of the Govt of Karnataka.
Although Iranna stayed in Dubai for several years, his hometown Bagalkot was always close to his heart. He wanted to do something valuable for his motherland as well and hence he established an organization called ‘Raaga Kala Vaibhav Samskrutika Pratishtana’ in Amingad.
He also provided immense support in conducting medical camps in the village, celebration of Samoohika Ganeshotsava and other activities. His social and cultural activities have been interviewed by well-known Kannada tele channels like Chandana and Suvarna.
Iranna was awarded with title of ‘Samaja Ratna’ by Jnanamandar Academy Bangalore in 2006, Dr. Rajkumar Rajyostava Prashasti in 2008 and honored by Dhvani PratIshtana, UAE for his literary works.
A simple man with a wonderful personality, his service towards the society sets him apart from the rest. He has been appreciated by several associations and their leaders in UAE for his tremendous contributions.
Speaking about the recognition and support he has received from the Government of Karnataka, Iranna expressed his disappointment and said that although he has received immense love and support from people in Karnataka and several channels have interviewed him, the Government of Karnataka has never recognized him or appreciated him for his work.
“It is true that I would feel good if the government of Karnataka recognized me for my literary contributions. But nevertheless, I don’t measure success with awards. I work because of my love for Kannada and I think that my albums and books itself are my true awards. I will continue to work with God’s grace”, he said.
On being asked about his future projects, he said that he wishes to continue to work for the development of Kannada language and its culture. Further, speaking of NewsKarnataka and their work, he expressed his happiness over the news portal bringing Kannadigas closer with the work they do.
NewsKarnataka is immensely proud to speak to, and highlight a great Kannadiga like Iranna Mulimani and wishes him all success and recognition in his future endeavours.
The NRI Newsmaker is a section dedicated to recognizing those talented and hardworking individuals who have made a name for themselves in the field they have stepped into. Their efforts may have been gone unrecognized by the masses but they certainly deserve your acclaim. Because as Kannadigas, they have done commendable work and made their state beam with pride.
