'Jyotsna' as a Living Essence

by N. Gayathri

During my school days, Krishnananda Kamat was one of our favorite authors. We used to enjoy reading his works like "I too went to America", "Bastar Travels", "Vangadarshan", and "I in Rajasthan". However, it was much later, in the 1990s, that I learned his wife was also a writer—Jyotsna Kamat.

In 1991, I was the Secretary of the Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha (Karnataka Women Writers' Association), and it was through Hemalata Mahishi, the then-President, that I came to know Jyotsna. Hemalatha lived in Shashikiran Apartments, where Jyotsna also resided. This acquaintance turned into a friendship, and I came to see her as a distinguished researcher, an efficient administrator, and an exceptional writer.

Although she was the director of All India Radio, her modest demeanor amazed me. In 1995, when we organized a state-level camp on feminism in Madikeri, her involvement was inspiring. Jyotsna noticed my literary interest and encouraged me to create several programs for All India Radio. Her administrative skills and discipline stood out, though they sometimes made her unpopular among her staff.

Jyotsna was fearless and determined—a rare woman in post-independence Nehruvian India, where middle-class women were beginning to step into education and employment. In an era when society largely believed that marriage defined a woman’s life, she prioritized education and career, choosing her life partner Krishnananda Kamat herself. Despite being separated by circumstances from her husband and son due to job transfers, she adapted and managed without complaint.

Even when she had to decline a promotion to stay with her family, her husband supported her decision, reflecting his progressive mindset. In an era devoid of communication conveniences like telephones, Jyotsna became a role model for women managing careers and families with resilience. She used her transfers to her advantage, learning languages, meeting artists, and absorbing the cultures of various places.

Her time in Kolkata, though brief, left a lasting impression. She learned Bengali and retained her proficiency in the language even years later. Her books reflect her literary prowess, with notable works like "Samsaradalli Swarasya" (Essays), "Heegiddeve Naavu" (Humor), "The Heritage of Education in Karnataka", "Women: A Study", "Nenapinali Nintiruvaru" (Memoir), "Nage Kedike" (Satire), and "Social Life in Medieval Karnataka".

Despite battling cancer in her later years, her passion for writing never wavered. Her last works, "Kolkata Dinagalu" (Kolkata Days) and "Sadhakarodane" (With Achievers), are testaments to her unwavering spirit. Jyotsna passed away on September 24, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. Her memory lives on, vibrant and evergreen, as a source of inspiration in my life. In 1991, I was the Secretary of the Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha (Karnataka Women Writers' Association), and it was through Hemalatha Mahishi, the then-President, that I came to know Jyotsna. Hemalatha lived in Shashikiran Apartments, where Jyotsna also resided. This acquaintance turned into a friendship, and I came to see her as a distinguished researcher, an efficient administrator, and an exceptional writer.

Although she was the director of All India Radio, her modest demeanor amazed me. In 1995, when we organized a state-level camp on feminism in Madikeri, her involvement was inspiring. Jyotsna noticed my literary interest and encouraged me to create several programs for All India Radio. Her administrative skills and discipline stood out, though they sometimes made her unpopular among her staff.

Jyotsna was fearless and determined—a rare woman in post-independence Nehruvian India, where middle-class women were beginning to step into education and employment. In an era when society largely believed that marriage defined a woman’s life, she prioritized education and career, choosing her life partner Krishnananda Kamat herself. Despite being separated by circumstances from her husband and son due to job transfers, she adapted and managed without complaint.

Even when she had to decline a promotion to stay with her family, her husband supported her decision, reflecting his progressive mindset. In an era devoid of communication conveniences like telephones, Jyotsna became a role model for women managing careers and families with resilience. She used her transfers to her advantage, learning languages, meeting artists, and absorbing the cultures of various places.

Her time in Kolkata, though brief, left a lasting impression. She learned Bengali and retained her proficiency in the language even years later. Her books reflect her literary prowess, with notable works like "Samsaradalli Swarasya" (Essays), "Heegiddeve Naavu" (Humor), "The Heritage of Education in Karnataka", "Women: A Study", "Nenapinali Nintiruvaru" (Memoir), "Nage Kedike" (Satire), and "Social Life in Medieval Karnataka".

Despite battling cancer in her later years, her passion for writing never wavered. Her last works, "Kolkata Dinagalu" (Kolkata Days) and "Sadhakarodane" (With Achievers), are testaments to her unwavering spirit. Jyotsna passed away on September 24, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. Her memory lives on, vibrant and evergreen, as a source of inspiration in my life.

See Also:

• Kannada Women Writers Association
• The Kammatiga Volume, remembering K.L.Kamat