Bedridden for a year, Hegde hopes to recover in time to receive Sahitya Akademi award

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The awards will be presented on November 14 at Mumbai, and Hegde is positive that by then he would be able to attend the ceremony and receive the award.

Some of the celebrated works of Hegde include Panchuche Bet, Halamu Halamu, Mani Harawali-Mani Sapadli, Kawale and Bhaandkhor Bhau. While Mani Harawali Mani Sapadli was translated in English as Money Lost Money Found by Kumud Mehta, Panchuche Bet was translated as The Emerald Island by Ram Mungle.

Hegde’s wife said the book Panchuche Bet won him awards from the state as well as central government.

Among the Marathi writers who inspired Hegde is Yadunath Thatte.

Hegde’s wife said, “When he was young, he was a member of Rashtriya Seva Dal. Since he was also a shahir (folk artiste), he would often narrate stories to children in song form. Slowly he developed an interest for writing for kids. His first book – Panchuche Bait – was published in 1964.”

For the past 60 years, Hegde has been running a school for underprivileged children in a slum area in Santacruz named Sane Guruji Arogya Mandir. “He has dedicated his life to children’s literature; he is happy that Sahitya Akademi has recognised his efforts,” says Suhasini.