Du Saraswathi
Dr. Du. Saraswathi
Dr. Du.Saraswathi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 10 April 1963 Ballari Karnataka |
| Occupation | Activist, Theatre Artist, Writer |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Ph.D. |
| Parents | Durgappa and Gangamma |
Download books of Du Saraswathi or buy them on amazon
Introduction
Dr. Du. Saraswathi born 1963, is an Indian writer, theatre artist, translator, and social activist from Karnataka. She has been associated with various women’s organisations, bonded labour support groups, and garment workers’ collectives. She was a member of the editorial board of Manasa, an early Kannada feminist monthly magazine that documented and engaged with the women’s movement in the 1980s.[1]. Dr. Saraswathi has authored and edited multiple works across genres, including poetry, autobiographical writing, translations, edited volumes, and solo stage plays. She has published 13 books, including poetry collections, short stories, translations from English and Marathi into Kannada, commemorative volumes, and a collection of one-act plays. She received her Ph.D. from Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women’s University, Vijayapura, for her research on civic and sanitation workers in Karnataka.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Du. Saraswathi was born in Ballari district, Karnataka, to Durgappa and Gangamma in 1963. She later moved to Bengaluru, where she pursued her education [2]. She obtained an M.A. in Sociology from Bangalore University and completed a B.Ed. degree in 1994. She subsequently earned an M.A. in Women’s Studies from Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women’s University. She was awarded a Ph.D. from the same university for her thesis titled Diggbandadali Iruva Samudhaya: Streevaadi Drushtikonadalli Karnatakada Safai Karmacharigala Samajika-Samskrutika Adhyayana, a socio-cultural study of sanitation workers in Karnataka from a feminist perspective. Her research focused extensively on the lives and working conditions of Safai Karmacharis. Infact some of Swaswathi's best stories reflect the lives of these underpaid and unrecognised workers of the city. From 1985 onwards, she contributed to the Kannada feminist magazine Manasa, writing on women’s issues. Many of these writings were later compiled into the book Vaade.
Career
Theatre
Dr. Saraswathi is known for her contributions to Kannada theatre, particularly socially engaged and feminist performance.
Sannthimmi Purana (2018) – A collection of six plays written and performed by her. In the titular role of Sannthimmi, she portrays an unlettered rural woman who engages the audience in discussions on themes such as macroeconomics, gender, sexuality, and feminist interpretations of the Ramayana. She uses the method of oral story telling from rural India to look at Ramayana in a modern, feminist perspective. In a interview published in Indian express she says "I believe in a collective democratic process, based on dissent and diversity. I call this the politics of love" [3].
Rekke Kattuvira? – Written by B. Suresha, this play addresses the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during the Second World War. Performed by Du. Saraswathi and Chitra, it has been staged more than 80 times across Karnataka.
Hasivu Kansu – A play focusing on the lives of sex workers.
Pourake Haadu – A theatrical work depicting the experiences of sanitation workers.
Suji Daara – A play portraying the lives of women employed in the garment industry.
Activism and Public Engagement
Dr. Saraswati has been active in Dalit rights movements and has worked for the welfare of sanitation workers and sex workers. She has served on committees constituted by the Government of Karnataka to study the conditions of sex workers and sanitation workers. She was also a member of the Karnataka Government’s Ranga Samaja.
As coordinator for the establishment of a Women’s Museum at Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women’s University, she led efforts to collect and document approximately 4,500 objects from across Karnataka.
Her work combines cultural activism, public engagement, and advocacy for marginalized communities, including Dalits, landless labourers, women, and unorganised workers.
Notable Publications
Poetry Collections
1. Henedare Jedananthe (1997)
2. Jeeva Sampige
Her poem Odala Sankatakke Gadiyee Illa was included in a government school textbook.
Short Story Collections
1. Bachisu
Autobiographical Narrative
1. Eegyen Maadeeri? (1999)
One-Act Plays
1. Prayogagala Pustaka
2. Santimmi Purana
Translations
Dr. Saraswati has translated several important works into Kannada:
1. Badaku Bayalu: Hijra Obbala Atmakathe – Translation of The Truth About Me: Hijra Life Story by A. Revathi.
2. Naavu Itihasa Kattidevu: Ambedkar Chaluvalliyalli Mahileyaru – Based on Aamhi Itihaas Ghadavala by Urmila Pawar and Meenakshi Moon (English translation by Wandana Sonalkar). The book documents the participation of women in the Dalit movement led by Ambedkar and highlights over significant Dalit struggles of the early 20th century[4].
3. Jaati Mattu Lingatava: Dalit Mahileyara Satyakathegala Nirupane – Translation of Writing Caste Writing Gender: Narrating Dalit Women’s Testimonios by Sharmila Rege.
4. Corona Sankramikada Sandarbhadalli Lay-off: Mucchihoda Garment Factory – Ondu Prakarna Adhyayana – Translation of Laid-Off during the Pandemic: A Case Study of the Closure of a Garment Factory by Swathi Shivanand.
5. Beedi Hennu – Translation of Baburao Bagul’s groundbreaking work, Jevha Mi Jaat Chorli Hoti, from Marathi to Kannada. It gives voice to marginalised sections. it brought forth an unflitered, raw reality over the harsh truths of societal structures [5]
Edited and Commemorative Volumes
She has edited two commemorative volumes for the Karnataka State Women’s Coalition Against Violence and also has Co-edited a felicitation (Abhinandana Hottige) volume.
Collected Writings
1. Vaade – A collection of writings spanning four decades.
2. Neera Daari – A collection of essays.
She has also contributed articles to the Kannada daily Prajavani Newspaper.
Awards and Honours
Dr. Du. Saraswati has received several awards and recognitions, including:
1. Honorary Doctorate, Maharani Cluster University, Bengaluru (2025)[6]
2. Akkamahadevi Award (2020) for her work with sanitation workers, municipal workers, and sex workers
3. Kadengodlu Kavya Prashasti (1997) for Henedare Jedananthe
4. Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi Award
5. Bahutva Bharathi Award, Koppal
6. Bheemaratna Award, Bangalore University
7. Kittur Rani Chennamma Award, Government of Karnataka
8. Lok Shikshak Savitribai Award, Jagadguru Tontadara Vidyapeeth
9.Syed Aleem Al-Amin Memorial Award
10. Suvarna Mahotsav Award, Government of Karnataka
11. Soolagithi Narasamma Award
12. Father Chasara Kannada Cultural Endowment Award by Karnataka Sahitya Parishath (2023)[7]
References
This article "Du Saraswathi" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Du Saraswathi. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
- ↑ B.N., Usha. "In Conversation with Du Saraswathi". The Third Eye. The Third Eye. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ Book Brahma. "Du. Saraswathi". Book Brahma. Book Brahma. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ Kousar, Muskaan. "Unsung Heroes: Meet Du Saraswathi, writer, activist, performer who is expanding horizons in Karnataka". Indian Express. Indian Express. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ↑ BIC, BIC. "Pakshi Purana Exploring Masculinity". Bangalore International Centre. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ↑ S, Yemen. "'Activism and writing have helped me grow as a person and become a better human being'" (05-01–2024). The Hindu. The Hindu. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ↑ "Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, Du. Saraswathi and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw among those to be awarded honorary doctorates". The Hindu. The Hindu. 29 September 2025.
|Authors list=missing|1=(help) - ↑ Book Brahma. "ನಾ. ಡಿಸೋಜ ಮತ್ತು ಡಾ. ದು. ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಅವರಿಗೆ 'ಪಾದರ್ ಚಸರಾ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ದತ್ತಿ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ' ಪ್ರದಾನ". Book Brahma. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
