V K Natraj Besides his enriching contributions to Kannada literature, K V Puttappa will be remembered for his deep humanitarian spirit K V PUTTAPPA, one of the greatest poets and men of letters in Kannada passed away on November 10, 1994. Popularly known as Kuvempu, he strode the Kannada literary scene for almost half a century as poet, novelist, essayist, dramatist, critic and an ardent champion of Kannada. No honour bypassed him. He was Kannada's first Jnanapith award winner. The state government bestowed upon him the title Rashtrakavi. He was professor of Kannada, principal of Maharaja's college and the vice-chancellor of the university of Mysore. He was the first professor of Kannada to become a vice-chancellor. He became a legend in his life time.