Mysore/Mysuru: Mangala Gowri, popularly known as Mangalamma, a writer, social activist and philosopher, passed away yesterday in city. She was 100.
She leaves behind son Narahari, daughter Sharadamani and a host of relatives and friends.
Last rites were held at the foot of Chamundi Hill this afternoon, according to family sources.
Born on June 22, 1925, near Chamundi Hill, Mangalamma was the youngest daughter of Seetharama Shastri and Subbamma. She began her schooling at Ambale Annaiah Pandit School in Mysuru, continued at Maharani’s High School and completed her secondary education at the Tin School in Basavanagudi, Bengaluru. In 1939, she passed the Lower Secondary Examination with distinction.
Mangalamma was married in 1939 to S. Seetharamaiah, an Accounts Officer at the Mandya Mysugar Factory.
In 1952, driven by her conviction that knowledge grows when shared, she began offering free Hindi lessons at home, starting with just two students. Over the next 30 years, she taught Hindi to thousands, without bias of caste, religion, gender, creed or age.
She appeared for ‘Rashtrabhasha Praveena’ exam alongside her students — and passed with flying colours. In recognition, then Vice-President B.D. Jatti honoured her with a copper plaque in 1976.
Mangalamma has authored 16 published works, including Mahabharata Katha Sangraha, Chintanadhaare, Swastha Badukige Bhagavad Gite Mattu Sahasrakirana, Nudinamana (poems and devotional songs), Tochiddu Geechiddu (aphorisms), Vishwapriya Sanyasi Swami Ranganathananda, Sri Sarada Devi Charite (in verse), Belakindi (essays), Bhavya Jeevanada Inuku Nota, Nadigegondu Bidige (moral tales) and more. Her catalogue also includes Divya Shikshana Devige — Shrimāte, Saralatheyalli Belagida Divyate — Shrimāte, Ramayanadallina Pramukha Sōdararu, Vanaparvadallina Neetikategalu, Marulu Muniyana Kagga & Vishwaroopa Darshana.
In recognition of her service, Mangalamma has received numerous accolades. She was honoured by Brindavan Layout residents in 2004 & 2012, received Sir M. Visvesvaraya Award from Mandya Zilla Brahmana Sabha in 2016 and has been recognised by Chetana Trust and Gamaka Kala Parishat.
In 2017, Mysore Art Gallery honoured her, followed by ‘Shikshana Ratna Merugiri’ award from Venkatagiri Prakashana in 2018. She has also been felicitated by Acharya Vidya Kula and Vijaya Vittala Institutions.
Star of Mysore had published an article about her titled ‘A life in full bloom: Century of knowledge, service and faith’ on June 22, 2025.
