Woman Scholar Savinirmadi

© K. L. Kamat

Savinirmadi -- A woman scholar of the 14th century

A tenth century memorial stone of Kolar district (lying in an open field in Karublel village) tells about a highly accomplished lady, Savinirmadi, daughter of Nagarjunayya and Nandigabbe. It is explicitly claimed that she mastered different branches of knowledge (sarvashastra prasiddhe...). The young girl is in a simple dress, wears a few simple ornaments and is engrossed in reading. She holds a palm-leaf manuscript in her left-hand and is trying to interpret its contents. A tavanekolu (a stool meant to keep the books) is shown by her side. It is evident that the people of the neighborhood who benefited by her profound learning thought that erecting a simple memorial true to her life would be fitting tribute to her. In the age when education was a privilege of the few, Savinirmadi's achievements are extraordinary.

See Also: A Unique Memorial to a Learned Lady