Fri Aug 01 01:31:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article based on that summary:
**Summary:**
The article reviews Vanamala Viswanatha’s new English translation, “Bride in the Hills,” of celebrated Kannada writer Kuvempu’s (K.V. Puttappa) monumental novel, “Malegalalli Madumagalu.” Set in the late 19th-century Western Ghats, the novel explores the lives and loves of diverse communities, including subaltern characters, amidst social hierarchies and the encroaching influence of colonial modernity. It’s considered a classic of Kannada literature, and this translation is being hailed for its potential to introduce Kuvempu’s work to a wider English-speaking audience. The review praises Viswanatha’s efforts to capture the regional nuances of the original text.
**News Article:**
**Kannada Classic “Bride in the Hills” Re-Enters the World with New Translation**
**Bengaluru, India – August 1, 2025:** A new English translation of K.V. Puttappa’s (Kuvempu) acclaimed Kannada novel, “Malegalalli Madumagalu,” titled “Bride in the Hills,” has been released, reigniting interest in the celebrated Indian author. Translated by Vanamala Viswanatha, the book aims to bring Kuvempu’s magnum opus to a broader global audience.
Published nearly six decades ago in 1967, “Malegalalli Madumagalu” is a monumental work of Kannada literature, often compared to Rabindranath Tagore’s influence in Bengali culture. The novel is set in the late 19th-century Western Ghats, a region of dense forests. It chronicles the lives, loves, and struggles of various communities as they navigate social hierarchies and the arrival of colonial modernity.
The story follows characters like Gutthi, an untouchable, and Thimmi, who defy social norms to pursue their love, and other individuals challenging societal constraints. The novel paints a detailed picture of the time, using rich descriptions of people, customs, and the natural environment.
According to Devanoora Mahadeva, a prominent Kannada writer, the novel is a “masterpiece,” that is now available after a previous translation with this novel by Vanamala Viswanatha.
While earlier translations of Kuvempu’s novels have not achieved widespread recognition, hopes are high that Viswanatha’s “Bride in the Hills” will finally introduce the literary giant to a global readership. The translation is praised for its attention to detail and efforts to capture the essence of Kannada culture for English-speaking readers. The book is now available in major bookstores and online retailers.
First Piper 