Nisha Lakra at 05:57, 28 January 2026

2026-01-28T05:57:48Z

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{{Short description|Indian writer (1936–2020)}}
{{for|the Pakistani cricketer|Nisar Ahmad (cricketer)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = K. S. Nissar Ahmed
| birth_name = Kokkare Hosahalli Sheikh Haider Nissar Ahmed
| image = K.S.NissarAhmedImage.jpg
| caption =
| pseudonym =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1936|2|5|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Devanahalli]], [[Kingdom of Mysore]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2020|05|03|1936|02|05}}
| death_place = [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]], India
| occupation = [[Writer]], academic
| nationality = Indian
| language = [[Kannada]]
| period =
| genre = Poetry and Criticism
| subject = Various Themes
| spouse = Shahnawaz Begum
| movement = [[Kannada literature#Navya|Navya]]
| notableworks= Manasu Gandhi Bazaru, Nityotsava, Sanje Aidara Male and Manadondige Mathukathe
| signature =
| website =
| footnotes =
| awards = {{awards|[[Padma Shri]]|2008}} {{awards|[[Rajyotsava Award]]|1981}} {{awards|[[Pampa Award]]|2017}}
}}

'''Kokkare Hosahalli Shekh Haider Nissar Ahmed''' (5 February 1936 – 3 May 2020<ref name="hinduobit">{{Cite news |last=Bharadwaj |first=K.V. Aditya |date=May 3, 2020 |title=Noted poet Nisar Ahmed passes away |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/noted-poet-nisar-ahmed-passes-away/article31494164.ece |access-date=May 3, 2020}}</ref>) was an Indian poet and writer in the [[Kannada language]].<ref name="iisc"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ganesh |first=Deepa |date=Aug 6, 2015 |title=In the heart of Kannada |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/in-the-heart-of-kannada/article7508373.ece |access-date=May 8, 2020}}</ref> He was awarded the Padma Shri (2008),<ref>{{cite news |title=List of Padma award winners |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jan/26padma.htm |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=www.rediff.com |publisher=Rediff.com |date=26 January 2008}}</ref> the Rajyotsava Award (1981) and the Pampa award for his work (2017). He became a household name for his work ''Nityotsava'' (Daily celebration), which is a poem about [[Karnataka]], a piece he composed after seeing [[Jog falls]]. He has numerous poems, translations and children's books to his credit. He is known for using simple words that resonate deeply with the public in his literary work.

==Early life and education==

Nissar Ahmed was born in [[Devanahalli]] in [[Bangalore rural]]. His father was a government employee. His family moved to Dodda Mavalli in Bangalore. He grew up in a Muslim colony which had about 500 Muslim families. His father admitted him to a [[Kannada]] medium school, with the objective of easing the path for him to secure a government job. Most of the children in the neighbourhood studied [[Urdu]].

He was inspired by writers [[G. P. Rajarathnam]] and [[M. V. Seetharamiah]] who were his teachers at high school.

He was a post-graduate in Geology who worked as an Assistant Geologist in The Mysore Mines and Geology at [[Gulbarga]] before coming in touch with [[Kuvempu]] and was invited to the [[Kannada]] poets' meet during [[Mysore Dasara|Dasara festival]] in 1959.<ref name="hindu">{{cite news|title=Glad a Kannadiga's name has gone all the way to Delhi: Nisar|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/27/stories/2008012758160500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131112812/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/27/stories/2008012758160500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 January 2008|access-date=7 December 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=27 January 2008}}</ref>

==Teacher==

He worked as a lecturer in Geology in Central College, [[Bangalore]] and then in [[Chitradurga]]. Later, he taught in the [[Sahyadri Science College|Sahyadri First Grade College]] in [[Shimoga]] for two terms during 1967–72 and 1975–78.

==Writer==

He is best known for Nityotsava (ನಿತ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ).<ref name="hindu"/> The Nityotsava compilation was released in the year 1978. The Nityotsava song went on to become very famous and he eventually became a household name in Karnataka. A total of 13 albums have been published. He was the chairperson of the [[Karnataka Sahitya Academy]] between 1984 and 1987.

==Literary works==
'''Poetry'''
* ''Nanna Nudi'' (My words)<ref name="scrollin">{{Cite magazine |last=Pai |first=Roopa |date=May 5, 2020 |title=Nisar Ahmed (1936-2020): Three poems that show his concern with politics, philosophy, justice |url=https://scroll.in/article/960953/nisar-ahmed-1936-2020-three-poems-that-show-his-concern-with-politics-philosophy-justice |magazine=Scroll.in |access-date=May 14, 2020}}</ref> - His first poem.
* ''Nityotsava'' (Daily celebration, 1968)<ref name="newsmin">{{Cite news |last=Kumar V |first=Vinay |date=May 5, 2020 |title=Remembering 'Nityotsava Kavi' Nissar Ahmed, one of Kannada literature's foremost poets |work=The Newsminute |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/remembering-nityotsava-kavi-nissar-ahmed-one-kannada-literature-s-foremost-poets-123965 |access-date=May 9, 2020}}</ref>
* ''Manasu Gandhibazaru'' (Mind is a Gandhibazar)
* ''Swayam Seveya Giligalu'' (Parrots of Voluntarism)
* ''Anaamika Aanglaru'' (Anonymous Englishmen)
* ''Sanje Aidara Male'' (The rain at five in the evening)
* ''Naanemba Parakeeya'' (Me, the stranger)
* ''Nimmodaniddoo nimmantagade'' (To be with you, yet not be like you; 1960)<ref name="forte">{{Cite news |last=G. S |first=Kumar |date=September 30, 2013 |title=When Kannada poets held forte |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/When-Kannada-poets-held-forte/articleshow/23279903.cms |access-date=May 9, 2020}}</ref> - Expression of his angst about the unhealthy competition amongst Kannada poets in the 1960s. He bemoans religious and caste discrimination that prevailed.<ref name="newsmin" />
* ''Kurigalu saar kurigalu'' (Sheep sir, Sheep; 1963)<ref name="newsmin" />
* ''Raman Sathha Suddi'' (The demise of [[C. V. Raman|Raman]], 1970)<ref name="forte" />
* ''Anaataru'' (Orphans, 1972)<ref name="gesture">{{Cite news |last=Chandan |first=Gowda |date=May 9, 2020 |title=The gesture of Nissar Ahmed |work=The Deccan Herald |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/the-gesture-of-nissar-ahmed-835696.html |access-date=May 14, 2020}}</ref>
* ''Savatiya Makkala Hage'' (Like Step-Children, 1982)<ref name="gesture" /> - An appeal to Mother India to not treat Muslims like stepchildren and ask to forgive "the misguided ones".
* ''Shilube Yeriddaane'' - (He has Ascended the Cross, 1982)<ref name="forte" />
* ''Nenedavara Manadalli''
* ''Kannadada Kuvari''<ref name="forte" />
* ''America, America'' - The poet calls out America for its superiority complex and critiques its role in impacting other nations in order to maintain such superiority.<ref name="newsmin" />
* ''Manadondige Mathukathe''
* ''Benne Kadda Namma Krishna'' (Our Butter stealing Krishna) - Poem in praise of the [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]].
* ''Rangoli Mathhu Maga'' (Rangoli and my son)<ref name="forte" />
* ''Amma Matthu Burkha'' (My mother and The Burkha)
* ''Amma, Achara Mattu Naanu'' (Mother, Orthodoxy and I)<ref name="forte" />
* ''Raman Matthu Naanu'' (C.V. Raman and I)
* ''Yella Maretiruvaga'' (When everything has been forgotten)
*''Navolasa''
*''Sumuhurta''

'''Poetry collections'''
* ''Manasu Gandhi Bazaaru'' (The heart is Gandhi Bazaar, 1960).<ref name="scrollin" />
* ''Sanje Aidara Male'' (The rain at five in the evening, 1970).<ref name="scrollin" />
* ''Naanemba Parakeeya'' (Me, the stranger, 1972).<ref name="scrollin" />
* ''Seemateetana Sirivanta Suggi'' (2017) - The last work of the poet, a select collection of his poems, was released by the former [[Chief Minister of Karnataka]] [[Veerappa Moily]] in the year 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 19, 2017 |title=Dr. Veerappa Moily To Release 'Seemateetana Sirivanta Suggi' |work=Star of Mysore |url=https://starofmysore.com/dr-veerappa-moily-release-seemateetana-sirivanta-suggi/ |access-date=May 9, 2020}}</ref>

'''Translations'''
* Selected Works of [[Shakespeare]] - (''[[Merchant of Venice]], [[King Lear]] and [[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'').<ref name="newsmin" />
* Poems of [[Pablo Neruda]]

==Awards==
* [[Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry]] (1982): ''Anaamika Aanglaru''{{Citation needed|date= January 2020}}
* [[Rajyotsava Award]] (1981)<ref name="iisc">{{cite web|title=NITYOTSAVA: Pgm by Nisar Ahmed on Mar 28|url=http://www.serc.iisc.ernet.in/broadcast_messages/msg03256.html|access-date=7 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717235046/http://www.serc.iisc.ernet.in/broadcast_messages/msg03256.html|archive-date=17 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Nadoja Award (2003)<ref>{{cite news|title=Subhadramma Mansur receives Nadoja Award|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/01/07/stories/2004010710330300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040218224447/http://www.hindu.com/2004/01/07/stories/2004010710330300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2004|access-date=15 December 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 January 2004}}</ref>
*[[Padma Shri]] (2008)<ref>{{cite web|title=Padma Awards Directory (1954-2009) |url=http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/LST-PDAWD.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs |access-date=7 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510095705/http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/LST-PDAWD.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2013 }}</ref>
*Kempegowda Award {{citation needed|date= May 2020}}
* [[Pampa Award]] (2017)<ref>{{cite web|title=Pampa Award for Nisar Ahmed
|website=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/pampa-award-for-nisar-ahmed/article19964779.ece|access-date=20 February 2018|date=2 November 2017}}</ref>

==Books==

{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ahmed K.S |first=Nissar |title=Nityotsava (Hardbound) |publisher=Sapna Book House |year=2019 |isbn=9788128026263}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ahmed K.S |first=Nissar |title=Acchumecchu |publisher=Sapna Book House |year=2019 |isbn=9789388913003}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ahmed K.S |first=Nissar |title=Samagra Kavihegalu (Hardbound) |publisher=Sapna Book House |year=2018 |isbn=9789387979222}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ahmed K.S |first=Nissar |title=Manadondige Matukathe |publisher=Sapna Book House |year=2017 |isbn=9789386381583}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ahmed K.S |first=Nissar |title=Ayda Gadya Barahagalu (Hardbound)|publisher=Sapna Book House |year=2017 |isbn=9789387308169}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ahmed K.S |first=Nissar |title=Hiriyaru Harasida Heddari |publisher=Sapna Book House |year=2012 |isbn=9788128019272}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ahmed K.S |first=Nissar |title=Vichara Vihara |publisher=Sapna Book House |year=2012 |isbn=9788128019289}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ahmed K.S |first=Nissar |title=Aravattaidara Aisiri |publisher=Sapna Book House |year=2012 |isbn=9788128019470}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ahmed K.S |first=Nissar |title=Idu Bari Bedagallo Anna |publisher=Sapna Book House |year=2012 |isbn=9788128019296}}
{{Refend}}

==Honours==

Nissar Ahmed was the chairperson of 73rd [[Kannada Sahitya Sammelana|''Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana'']] (All India Kannada Literary Symposium) held at [[Shivamogga]] in 2007.<ref name="newsmin" /> The 407th edition of [[Mysore Dasara|Mysuru Dasara]] was inaugurated by him in 2017 atop [[Chamundi Hills]].<ref name="dasara">{{Cite news |date= August 17, 2017 |title=Poet Nisar Ahmed to inaugurate Dasara celebrations this year |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/poet-nissar-ahmed-to-inaugurate-dasara-celebrations-this-year/article19508247.ece |access-date=May 8, 2020}}</ref>

He was conferred honorary doctorates by [[Kuvempu University]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Kuvempu University honour for six|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/56820/kuvempu-university-honour-six.html|access-date=7 December 2010|newspaper=Deccan Herald}}</ref> [[Bangalore University]] and [[Karnatak University]] in recognition of his work.

==Personal life==

Nissar Ahmed was married to Shahnawaz Begum. Nissar and his wife narrowly escaped a [[Jaipur bombings|terrorist blast]] in [[Jaipur]].<ref name="deccanobit">{{Cite news |date=May 3, 2020 |title='Nityotsava' poet Nissar Ahmed no more |work=Deccan Herald |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/nityotsava-poet-nissar-ahmed-no-more-833212.html |access-date=May 8, 2020}}</ref> The couple had two sons and daughters.

==Death==

Nissar Ahmed died on Sunday, 3 May in [[Bengaluru]] at his residence. He was aged 84 and died due to age related ailments.<ref name="deccanobit" /> He was heartbroken as he had lost his wife the previous year and most recently his son in the US to cancer. His end came only 18 days after the demise of his son. He died at his residence in Padmanabhanagar peacefully.

==See also==
{{portal|Poetry}}
* [[Kannada literature]]
* [[Kannada poetry]]
* [[Vellala Sathyam]]
* [[Venugopal Sorab]]
* [[Kuvempu]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nissar Ahmed, K. S.}}
[[Category:Kannada poets]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:2020 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Bangalore Rural district]]
[[Category:Indian male poets]]
[[Category:Poets from Karnataka]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]

K. S. Nissar Ahmed - Revision history

Nisha Lakra at 05:57, 28 January 2026