K. B. Siddaiah

Kenkere Bailappa Siddaiah (2 March 1954 – 19 October 2019), commonly known as Prof. K. B. Siddaiah or simply KB, was an Indian poet, sociopolitical–philosopher, writer and social activist known for his works in Kannada language.^[1][2] For his contribution to Kannada literature, he was awarded the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award by the Government of Karnataka in 2013.^[3]

K. B. Siddaiah
Born	(1954-03-02)2 March 1954 Kenkere, Tumkur, Karnataka, India
Died	19 October 2019(2019-10-19) (aged 65) Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Occupation	Professor poet scholar writer critic
Language	Kannada
Genre	Poetry continental poetry drama research criticism
Subject	Social life modern literature
Literary movement	Dalit movement
Spouse	Gangarajamma
Children	3

Personal life

Siddaiah was born in Kenkere in Tumkuru to Bailurappa and Anthuramma.^[2] He married Gangarajamma and had three children.^[2]

Career

Siddaiah started his career as an English lecturer and got involved in Dalit movement in Karnataka and became a prominent leader in the movement.^[4] He was one of the founding members of the Dalita Sangharsha Samiti.^[5]

Literary works

KB's poems were mostly based on social life of the marginalized people.^[6] His poems including ’Ee naada manninalli’ inspired people across the state to join the Dalit movement.^[4]

Collections of poems

• Bakaala^[6]
• Daklakathadevi Kavya
• Anaatma
• Gallebaani

Prose

• Buddhana Naalku Shreshtasatyagalu
• Katthalodane Maathukathe

Editions

• Dalitha Kavya

Death

Siddaiah met with a road accident and admitted in Manipal hospital in Bangalore and died eventually on 18 October in 2019. He was survived by his wife and 3 children.^[7]

Accolades

• 2004 – Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award^[8]
• 2013 – Karnataka Rajyotsava Award by Government of Karnataka^[3]
• 2017 – President at the 12th Tumkur Jilla Kannada Sahitya Sammelana^[9]
• 2018 – Ki. Ram. Nagaraj Award^[10]