17/09/1919 – 11/04/2009

Born on September 17, 1919, to Abdul Rahman and Fatima at a math near Uppinangadi in Puttur taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, Bolumbuda Mata (BM) earned the moniker of “Kannada Kattaalu.” In an era where Kannada was considered a foreign language, Idinabba, a native speaker of Beary, wholeheartedly embraced Kannada. He penned hundreds of poems in Kannada, which were sung countless times, showcasing his unwavering passion for the language until his last breath.

Despite winning three times from the Ullala constituency as a Congress party candidate, B.M. Iddinabba never sought power, including ministerial positions. Unlike those who viewed politics as a profession, he refrained from involving his family members in politics and utilized power responsibly. In 1994, out of the 224 MLAs in the state, he stood out as the lone voice declaring that he did not seek a ticket to contest the next election. Instead of being known solely as a politician, B.M. Iddinabba was hailed as a freedom fighter, a staunch Gandhian, a spinner of khadi, a poet, a storyteller, a singer, and above all, a fervent advocate for the Kannada language.

After completing his high school education in Puttur, B.M. Iddinabba dedicated 34 years of his life to serving in the Dakshina Kannada District Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Mangalore. His hard work and dedication earned him the title of “Daksha Sahakari” by the time he retired in 1978.

Political career

BM Idinabba, who joined the Congress party in 1938 at the age of 19, received a ticket from the Ullal assembly constituency in 1962 due to his dedication to the party. Unfortunately, he faced defeat in his initial attempt. However, in 1967, he was granted the ticket once again and emerged victorious as anticipated. This victory marked a milestone as Idinabba became the first MLA from the Muslim community.

In the subsequent years, there were no tickets available for Idinabba in 1972, 1978, and 1983, but he remained undeterred. The Congress party recognized his loyalty and granted him a ticket again in 1985. He secured a second term as an MLA, and then once more in 1989 for a third term. Despite the possibility of receiving the ticket for a fourth time, he made the decision to step back from active politics. He voluntarily retired from politics and redirected his focus towards literature and cultural activities.

Despite his active involvement in politics as a legislator, B.M. Iddinabba never pursued power; rather, power sought him out. He remained a steadfast and incorruptible politician, adhering to traditional values and principles.

In his literary endeavors, a distinct blend of cold rebellion and fiery irony characterized the works he produced during that era. At the age of 83, in 2003, he embraced the responsibility of chairmanship of the Kannada Development Authority with great enthusiasm. He traversed the length and breadth of the state, contributing to the advancement of the Kannada language.

Prior to this, he served as a member of the Kannada Development Authority from 1991 to 1994. Additionally, he contributed to Kannada literature as a member of the selection committee for prestigious awards such as the Kannada Rajyotsava Award and the Pampa Award. Moreover, he served as a member of the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi for nine consecutive years from 1962 to 1971.

From 1970 to 1982, he held the esteemed position of President of the DK District Kannada Sahitya Parishad. Furthermore, he served on the Central Committee of the Kannada Sahitya Parishad for 12 years. In 2002, he took on the role of President at the 12th District Kannada Literary Conference held in Mudubidire and the Mangalore Taluk Kannada Literary Conference held in Pakshikere near Kinnigoli. Additionally, he served as Vice President of the Mangalore Kannada Association.

Reflecting on the events of his life, author V.G. Nayak wrote a book titled “Kannadada Kattaalu: BM Idinabba,” and it was was published by the Kantavara Kannada Sangha under the series “Nadige Namaskara – Literary Culture Thought Bibliography.”

Literary field

B.M. Iddinabba was hailed as the pioneer writer emerging from the Beary-Muslim community of Dakshina Kannada district. Throughout his prolific literary career, he crafted a total of six story collections, six poetry collections, and two works of children’s literature under the publishing house “Manavata Sahitya Male.”

Among his notable works are “Hridaya Githa,” “Jenugudu,” “Viraha Githa,” “Kidigalu,” “Hanigavana,” and “Kavyakunja,” alongside poetry collections such as “Baalina,” “Harida Kotu,” “Ondu Gone Rasabale,” “Ratnamale,” “Hridaya Parivarthane,” “Kathagonchalu,” and “Chutuka.” He also delved into children’s literature with works like “Rashi” and “Manimale.”

His literary repertoire encompassed a wide range of themes, including reflections on India-China and India-Pakistan wars, as well as contributions to India’s freedom struggle. Despite being born and raised in the monastery of Uppinangadi, he found his home in Ullal. This attachment inspired him to capture the beauty of Ullal in his poem “Idu Ullal,” often referred to as the anthem of Ullal. Additionally, he penned “Welcome song” and “Ullal’s Uroos,” celebrating Ullal through his poetic verses.

In addition to his literary pursuits, BM Idinabba was deeply involved in the art of “gamaka,” emphasizing harmony in his renditions. His recitations and melodic performances of numerous patriotic poems earned him esteemed titles such as the “Kannadada Kogile,” “Sahityaratna,” and “Kavyajyoti.” He also had the honor of participating in the Mysore Dussehra Poetry Festival three consecutive times.

B.M. Iddinabba’s literary repertoire extended across various genres, including stories and poems, reminiscent of the legendary Kayyara Kinnanna Rai’s “Ikyagana.” He set a remarkable record by singing the poem more than a thousand times on diverse platforms, showcasing his dedication to his craft from a young age.

His inclination towards speech and writing emerged early in life, and he ventured into the media field at a young age. His stories, poems, and articles found a home in the school newspaper “Vidyarthi Mitra,” where his talent began to shine.

After completing his high school education, B.M. Iddinabba embarked on his career in the cooperative sector. He made a mark in the media field through publications such as “Udayachandra,” and further contributed to newspapers like Prajavani, Vishal Karnataka, and Navakirti. Over 700 of his articles have been published in various journals, highlighting his prolific output.

Additionally, he served as the editor of a magazine published by the Khadi and Village Industries Board, further expanding his influence in the literary and cultural sphere. BM Idinabba’s dedication to journalism was further exemplified by his role as Vice President of the DK District Journalist Association.

B.M. Iddinabba Beary emerged as a prominent leader in the Beary movement, advocating for the recognition and upliftment of the Beary community. His influence was palpable at the inaugural Beary Conference held in Bangalore, where he played a significant role. Additionally, he presided over the first Beary Literary Conference held at Mangalore City Hall on November 22, 1998, leaving a lasting impact on the Beary literary landscape.

In recognition of his dedication and expertise, BM Idinabba served as the Honorary Advisor to the Kendra Beary Sahitya Parishad. He actively campaigned for the establishment of a Beary Sahitya Akademi, urging the government to take concrete steps towards this initiative.

B.M. Iddinabba Beary was honored with several prestigious awards, including the Rajyotsava Award, Sandesh Pratisthan Award, Kannada Integration Award, and Goruru Ramaswamy Iyengar Award.

The passing of his beloved wife, Halima, who served as his source of inspiration throughout his life and endeavors, deeply saddened B.M. Iddinabba. He carried the weight of this loss until his own passing on April 11, 2009. He is survived by two sons and four daughters.