Sudha Murty:The Author I like to Read

Atma aiva hi atmano bandhu aatma aiva ripu atmanah  _ Shrimad Bhagvatgita

( I would be my best friend and worst enemy)

 The journey a book takes you on greatly depends on the author’s storytelling skills and how well they navigate the plot. A skilled author can immerse readers in the narrative, making the reading experience a captivating and memorable journey. It’s the art of storytelling that brings the plot to life and establishes a connection between the author’s imagination and the reader’s emotions

Sudha Murty’s writing has been a source of inspiration for me, the simplicity, honesty, and straightforwardness in her writing is commendable. The lack of frills or fancy words allows the content of her stories to shine, making readers pause and reflect on the meaningful narratives she presents. It’s a testament to the power of her storytelling and the impact it can have on readers.

Sudha Murty’s writing not only showcases her lucid style but also positions her as a motivational writer. Through her works, she explores often-overlooked aspects of life, shedding light on the importance of humanity, love, and compassion in our daily lives. Her focus on these fundamental values contributes to making her writings both insightful and impactful.

Early life and Education

Sudha Murty was born on 19 August  1950 in Shiggaon in north Karnataka.she is one of the four children born to R.H.Kulkarni a surgeon and professor at  and Vimala Kulkarni,  and has a brother Shrinivas Kulkarni, and 2 sisters Sunanda and Jaishree..  She spent most of her childhood in the care of her maternal grandparents along with her parents. She did her schooling at local  schools in Hubbali. Later she went on to completed her Btech  in mechanical engineering from B.V.B College of Engineering and a Mtech in computer science  from the India Institute of Science Bangalore.

Personal life

Sudha Murty married N.R.Narayana Murthy the cofounder of Infosys. She is blessed with 2 children Akshata Murthy and Rohan Murthy.

How did literature happen to an engineer?              

 Its our childhood which lays the foundation for our future. Sudha murty draws the historical basis for her early works from her  childhood experiences with her Grandparents, especially her grandfather who was a history teacher, and her first guru sowed the seeds of literature in her.

Philanthropy

Sudha Murty  founded the Infosys Foundation , a non profitable organisation based in Karnataka  that supports the underprivelgesd sections of society in 1996.

Bibliography

Sudha Murty has written and published many books which include novels, non-fiction, travelogues, technical books, and memoirs . Her books have been translated into all major Indian languages. She is also a columnist for English and Kannada newspapers.

Some of my favourite books

Wise and Otherwise and Three Thousand Stitches and by Sudha Murty are reflective and thought-provoking books that encourages readers to analyze their personal growth amid diverse life experiences. The author’s skill in crafting episodes from reality into words, depicting life authentically, sets the book apart. The absence of heavy moralization or criticism allows the narratives to stand on their own, making the collection a genuine exploration of distinct experiences without pretensions.

Something Happened on the Way to Heaven is a captivating collection of twenty true-life stories curated by Sudha Murty from a contest run by Penguin. These narratives beautifully capture the essence of hope, faith, kindness, and joy that permeate our lives, even amid the challenges of daily routines.

The Old Man and his God imparts valuable perspectives of Life but also showcases the importance of contentment and gratitude for a happy life.

Dollar Bahu stands out as one of her notable works, originally written in Kannada and later translated into English. It was even adapted into a television dramatic series. The plot is based on the power of Money and how it can wreck havoc the harmony within a family.

The Mother I Never Knew showcases the quest of 2 men bound by complexity of emotions from their decieving past each searching for a mother he never knew he had.

Mahashweta is a story of a Leukoderma victim. it is a tale that offers solace and courage to these victims in finding success and to live a life of dignity .

Unusual tales from Indian Mythology features mythological stories retold by Sudha Murty are truly worth reading. With a mix of powerful gods and demons, these stories are filled with captivating characters and magical worlds. The inclusion of catchy illustrations adds an extra layer to the reading experience, making it an enchanting journey that transports the young readers to another time and fills them with a sense of wonder. It is a delightful collection for those interested in reading tales from our puranas.

The Gopi Diaries by Sudha Murty, written in her distinctive style, offers simple yet heartwarming stories from a dog’s perspective. Through Gopi’s tales, the book beautifully illustrates the precious qualities of pets – their love, unwavering devotion, and boundless affection. It captures the unique bond between humans and their animal companions, reminding us of the special place pets hold in our hearts and lives.

Awards

        Although Sudha Murty has recieved several notable awards for her contributions some of the significant ones include

Padma Shri 2006

Padma Bhushan 2018

The R.K.Narayan award for literature

Dhaana Chintamani Atimubbe award

This blog post is a part of the blog challenge ” BookishCafebloghop2024″ hosted by Rakhi Jayashankar (https://outsetbooks.com/ )and Samata Dey Bose (https://www.indiacafe24.com)