Chandrashekhar Sharma

Sondekoppa Ramachandrasastri Ramaswamy, born October 29, 1937, was a prolific Indian writer, journalist, biographer, social activist, and environmentalist. He authored over 50 books and a thousand articles in Kannada and English, earning accolades such as the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award and the Nadoja Award from Kannada University, Hampi. Ramaswamy was a dedicated campaigner for environmental conservation and human rights, leading numerous movements against government policies that threatened natural resources. His writings often reflected contemporary literary, cultural, nationalist, and developmental issues. He also served as an honorary editor-in-chief for Kannada publications 'Utthana' and 'Rashrothana Sahitya'.

His career began in journalism in the late 1950s, eventually leading him to prominent roles in Kannada weeklies and as an honorary editor. Ramaswamy was fluent in multiple languages and his work demonstrated a deep understanding of world literature. He authored a notable art catalogue on painter Svetoslav Roerich and engaged with various public figures. Beyond his literary pursuits, Ramaswamy was deeply involved in public life, advocating for Swadeshi principles and spearheading rural development initiatives. He was a strong voice for environmental causes, participating in significant legal battles, including one concerning forest conservation. Ramaswamy also contributed to the administration of the Gokhale Institute of Public Affairs and consistently declined foreign invitations to focus on his work within India.

S. R. Ramaswamy emerged from a scholarly family and was influenced by prominent intellectuals of his time. He came under the tutelage of figures like D. V. Gundappa, V. Sitaramayya, Rallapalli Ananta Krishna Sharma, Yadava Rao Joshi, and P. Kodanda Rao. Ramaswamy played a significant role in preserving and promoting the works of D. V. Gundappa, undertaking the task of transcribing, editing, and proofreading Gundappa's writings, including seminal works like 'Jeevanadharmayoga' and 'Bhagavadtatparya'. His own literary output often mirrored the cultural, nationalist, and developmental challenges of his era. Ramaswamy's engagement with classical Indian music and dance, particularly Carnatic and Hindustani classical music through his association with Rallapalli Ananta Krishna Sharma, and Bharata Natyam with V. S. Kowshik, enriched his understanding and expression.

Ramaswamy's career spanned over five decades in journalism and public life. He began his journalistic journey as an assistant editor and later served as chief sub-editor for the Kannada weekly 'Sudha'. He also held the position of honorary editor-in-chief for 'Utthana' and 'Rashrothana Sahitya'. His contributions extended to Kannada dailies like 'Prajavani' and 'Kannada Prabha'. Ramaswamy was a vocal advocate for the Swadeshi movement and environmental conservation, leading numerous public movements and legal battles. A notable instance was his Public Interest Litigation with Shivaram Karanth against the Karnataka government concerning the protection of forest land designated for industrial use. He consistently championed people's rights and the conservation of biodiversity against ill-conceived government policies.

S. R. Ramaswamy authored more than 50 books and a thousand articles in Kannada and English. His first book, 'Mahabharatada Belavanige' (1972), garnered critical attention. His two-volume work on the Russian painter Svetoslav Roerich served as an archive of the artist's global exhibitions. In 1992, he received the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for Social Sciences for 'Shatamanada Tiruvinalli Bharata' (1989). His biography of B. R. Ambedkar, 'Samaja-Chikitsaka Ambedkar', co-authored with Chandrashekhar Bhandary, was recognized for its accuracy and impartiality, leading to translations into various Indian languages. Ramaswamy also explored themes of globalization and the Swadeshi ideology in works like 'In The Woods of Globalisation' and 'Swadeshi Jagruti'. He was honored by Kannada University, Hampi, with the Nadoja Award in 2015.