B. G. L. Swamy
Encyclopedia
Bengaluru Gundappa Lakshminarayana Swamy (1918–1980, Kannada: ಬಿ.ಜಿ.ಎಲ್. ಸ್ವಾಮಿ), also known as B. G. L. Swamy, was an eminent India
n botanist and Kannada
writer; He served as professor
and head of the department of Botany
and as Principal of Presidency College
, Chennai
. He was the son of D. V. Gundappa
, one of the most respected Indian writers and philosophers.
, and obtained his bachelor's degree in botany
. He obtained his PhD
from the University of Mysore
in 1947, and had a brief post-doctoral period at Harvard University
, under Dr Irving Bailey. From 1953, he served as professor of botany (and later Principal) at Presidency College, Chennai
.
, particularly the structure of connections between plants' roots and stem. He also discovered a few plant species that were unknown until then - examples are Ascarina maheshwarii and Sarcandra irvingbaileyi, named for two of his teachers. In 1976, he was awarded the Birbal Sahni
gold medal by the Government of India
for his work in botany.
Other works by Swamy pertain to literature, and some are partially autobiographical, dealing with his experiences as professor and principal. Apart from being an acclaimed botanist, BGL Swamy was also widely respected in the history and literary circles.
He extensively studied and researched the histories and literatures of both Kannada and Tamil language
s. His book Tamilu Talegala Naduve (Among Tamil heads), is devoted to examining theories pertaining to languages' origins (especially the claims that were being made in those days by the Dravidian parties) and mostly debunking them.
In his book he has also debunked some of the theories of Tamil historians like Iravatham Mahadevan, Nilkanta Shastri, to name a few. He has raised several questions regarding gaping holes and contradictions in their theories.
His book Hasiru honnu (Green is Gold) won the Kendra Sahitya Academy
award given by Government of India
. With that, Gundappa and Swamy, became the first father and son to win the prestigious award.
His insightful satires are considered classics of modern Kannada.
His works include:
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n botanist and Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
writer; He served as professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
and head of the department of Botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
and as Principal of Presidency College
Presidency College, Chennai
Presidency College is an arts, law and science college in the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India. Established as the Madras Preparatory School on October 15, 1840 and later, upgraded to a high school and then, graduate college, the Presidency College is one of the oldest government arts colleges...
, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
. He was the son of D. V. Gundappa
D. V. Gundappa
Devanahalli Venkataramanaiah Gundappa , popularly known as DVG, was a prominent Kannada writer and a philosopher. He is renowned for Manku Thimmana Kagga, a collection of verses.-Early life:...
, one of the most respected Indian writers and philosophers.
Education and career
Swamy studied in Central College, BangaloreBangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, and obtained his bachelor's degree in botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
. He obtained his PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from the University of Mysore
University of Mysore
The University of Mysore , is a public university in India. The University founded during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore, and was conceptualized on the basis of a report on educational progress in the United States and Australia, submitted by Messrs Thomas Denham and...
in 1947, and had a brief post-doctoral period at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, under Dr Irving Bailey. From 1953, he served as professor of botany (and later Principal) at Presidency College, Chennai
Presidency College, Chennai
Presidency College is an arts, law and science college in the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India. Established as the Madras Preparatory School on October 15, 1840 and later, upgraded to a high school and then, graduate college, the Presidency College is one of the oldest government arts colleges...
.
Research
Swamy's primary research area was Plant anatomyPlant anatomy
Plant anatomy or phytotomy is the general term for the study of the internal structure of plants. While originally it included plant morphology, which is the description of the physical form and external structure of plants, since the mid-20th century the investigations of plant anatomy are...
, particularly the structure of connections between plants' roots and stem. He also discovered a few plant species that were unknown until then - examples are Ascarina maheshwarii and Sarcandra irvingbaileyi, named for two of his teachers. In 1976, he was awarded the Birbal Sahni
Birbal Sahni
Birbal Sahni FRS was an Indian paleobotanist who studied the fossils of the Indian subcontinent, was also a geologist who took an interest in archaeology...
gold medal by the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
for his work in botany.
Writing
Swamy's literary works encompass a large range of topics. A large number of them are related to botany, and introduce botanical concepts to the layperson. A few of his books cover common plants used in everyday life in a scientific manner - an example is Namma hotteyalli Dakshina amerika (South America in our stomach).Other works by Swamy pertain to literature, and some are partially autobiographical, dealing with his experiences as professor and principal. Apart from being an acclaimed botanist, BGL Swamy was also widely respected in the history and literary circles.
He extensively studied and researched the histories and literatures of both Kannada and Tamil language
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
s. His book Tamilu Talegala Naduve (Among Tamil heads), is devoted to examining theories pertaining to languages' origins (especially the claims that were being made in those days by the Dravidian parties) and mostly debunking them.
In his book he has also debunked some of the theories of Tamil historians like Iravatham Mahadevan, Nilkanta Shastri, to name a few. He has raised several questions regarding gaping holes and contradictions in their theories.
His book Hasiru honnu (Green is Gold) won the Kendra Sahitya Academy
Sahitya Akademi
The Sahitya Akademi ', India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India...
award given by Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
. With that, Gundappa and Swamy, became the first father and son to win the prestigious award.
His insightful satires are considered classics of modern Kannada.
His works include:
- Hasiru Honnu - the Green Gold
- Colleju Ranga
- Colleju Taranga
- Pradhyapakana Peethadalli
- Tamilu Talegala Naduve
- Diary of a Botanist
- Namma hotteyalli Dakshina amerika
- Panchakalasha Gopura
- Americadalli naanu
- Maisooru dairy
- Dourgandhikapaharana
- Brihadaranyaka (published in 2006)
- Chidambaram and Nataraja