Meet 103-year-old Professor G Venkatasubbaiah, the man behind the Kannada dictionary, who is receiving Padma Shri this year

Venkatasubbaiah is well-known for his work on Kannada dictionary science titled Kannada Nighantu Shastra Parichaya. Besides, he was involved in Kannada Encyclopaedia Project. He has served as the vice-president of the Lexicographical Association of India for 17 years.

He has compiled more than 10 dictionaries. He has immensely contributed to a social Kannada dictionary which comprises Kannada phrases, usages, idioms, etc.
He has also authored a dictionary entitled Klishtapada Kosha (a dictionary of complex Kannada words) which was released to mark the Suvarna Karnataka (Silver Jubilee of the formation of Karnataka).

Venkatasubbiah's has been conferred with various awards, latest being the civilian honour-Padma Shri. He received Kannada Sahitya Akademi Award and the Pampa Award.