Tributes to Kamat

Page Last Updated: September 07,2008

K. L. Kamat
1934 - 2002

Krishnanand Kamat  passed away at his residence in Bangalore on February 20, 2002 due to a cardiac arrest. Dr. Kamat (brief bio-data) was a man of multiple talents, and many knew him in different capacities. While we are grateful for every condolence message we have received upon his death, we are providing here a few ones that gave us the greatest comfort, as well as brought out Kamat's vibrant personality, some faces of which was not known even to us.

If you knew Kamat personally (or via his work), please send your impression to Kamats via .

Translations to English and annotations are mine, and are provided for context. - VK

"Kamat is one of the great souls who found peace in this life itself; so asking for peace in his afterlife,  seems absurd to me."

- Suresh Kulkarni, Writer, Friend

"Krishnanand's reminiscence is a sacred reminiscence  to me."

- K. V. Subbanna
Magsaysay award winner Subbanna (picture) is noted director, activist, and philosopher

"Kamat did not just enrich the Kannada language; he enriched the knowledge of the language"

- R. Seshasastry
Dr. Seshasastry is a Kannada professor at the Ananthpur University, and was a close associate of Kamat. He is referring to the first-of-its kind books Kamat wrote in Kannada language on science, animals, environment, and tribals

"Now who will make pickles for me"?
-Vijaya Kamat, Sister-in-law
Kamat was an expert pickle maker. His pickles were enjoyed by relatives and friends all over India

"Jyotsna and Krishnanand were more than a couple. They were celestial lovers (Sakhi-Sakha)"
- S. L. Bhyrappa
S.L. Bhyrappa (portrait) is a distinguished Kannada writer and novelist

"During my childhood he had taken a beautiful photograph (black & white) of mine and he was courteous enough to send the same to me from Bangalore through Pradeep.  It was the best photograph  of my life..."
- Prashant Mahale
Kamat was instrumental in reconstructing the glorious history of Mahales of Honavar. See also: My friend Vithal Mahale

"Krishnanand must have truly believed that a receiving hand is always lower to a giving one. He is the only one I know who worked months for a government project (The Gazetteer of Uttara Kannada), and yet refused payment. His love for his land was enormous."

-Suryanath U. Kamath
Dr. Suryanath Kamath is a noted historian, academician (portrait - interview) served as the director of Karnataka State Gazetteer

"I grew up reading his books and his contribution to India was great. He ventured into places where no one else before him have ever dared to go with camera. His books and now this website is treasure trove of information which you can not find anywhere else."

- Ganesh Prasad, Santa Clara, Admirer

"Krishnananda Mama was an ideal man.. He was the one who made our family elate. He was very disciplined and simple person. He was an excellent photographer. His death was a sudden and unexpected shock."

-Mamata Kamat, Grand Niece

"Anarkali Seema - he'd call me. The void left by him will never be filled again. He was simplicity personified. Always cheerful, he never failed in lifting others' spirit. He possessed one of the rarest qualities, he would listen to people! I still treasure the pictures of me taken by him."

-Seema Kamat, Niece

I've known Krishnanand since my college days... He was not only a good friend but a philosopher and a guide to me. Whenever I was bored or down in spirit, I used to spend some time with him. He was a man with no malice. He was an upright, straight, and an honest man... full of jokes and anecdotes.
The God has stopped creating such persons...

-Manohar Kamat, a long time friend

The fact that a man like Kamat lived amongst us itself is a matter of great pride and inspiration to us.

- Dr. Kamala Hemmige (in Vijaya Karnataka Newspaper March 3, 2002)

Kamat had great concern of our society and environment. In his death, we have lost one of the foremost personalities of our (Uttara Kannada) district.

- Prof. P.M. Hedge (during a tribute in Sirsi, Udayavani, March 5, 2002)

Tributes to Kamat

• The Contented Mind - A Tribute to Kamat
• Kamat, a Role Model on to Himself
• My Best Friend K. L. Kamat
• My Friend Krishnanand Kamat
• Poetic Tribute to Kamat
• Remembering Shri Kamat

• History and Mystery of Kamat -- A rare peep into Kamat's formative years by a friend who was his room-mate.

More About Kamats

• Home page of K.L. Kamat

External Links

• Report at That'sKannada.com (in Kannada language)

• Tribute by Dr. Ramakanth Joshi in Kannada Prabha (in Kannada language) Cached Copy: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3