Career
He is known as "De Ja Gow" in literary circles. Srikantaiah. and Kuvempu
He was the Vice Chancellor of Mysore University from 1969 to 1975. Prior to that he was Professor of Literature and Director of the Institute of Kannada Studies in the University.
According to him Christian writers have contributed to Kannda literature more than Kannadigas.
Kannada as a classical language
He observed a dawn-to-dusk fast seeking classical language status for Kannada. He also threatened to return the Padma Shri if the Centre did not accord classical language status to Kannada by January 1, 2006.