Kannada linguist K.V. Narayana, champion of regional scholarship, dies at 78

Professor K.V. Narayana, one of Kannada's most influential linguistic scholars and cultural critics, died in Bengaluru at the age of 78. His death marks the loss of a significant voice in South Indian academia who spent decades examining language, culture, and knowledge systems through a distinctly regional lens.

Narayana was recognised for his scholarly work that questioned dominant Western frameworks in literary and linguistic studies. Throughout his career, he emphasised the need to position the Kannada community and its intellectual heritage as a vital source of knowledge rather than merely subjects of external scrutiny. His approach represented a conscious departure from academic traditions heavily influenced by European and Western perspectives.

Beyond his written work, Narayana contributed significantly to debates on language preservation and cultural identity in Karnataka. He advocated for greater institutional recognition of regional knowledge systems and pushed for curriculum reforms that would centre indigenous scholarship. His interventions in academic circles helped shape discussions on how Indian regions could reclaim agency in defining their own intellectual narratives.

The scholar's passing represents a notable loss for Kannada intellectual circles and for broader conversations about decolonising Indian academia. His legacy continues through his published works and the scholarly traditions he influenced across educational institutions in Karnataka and beyond.