Tell me a bio of A. K. Ramanujan.

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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A.K. Ramanujan (1929-1993) was an Indian poet, translator, and scholar of Indian and Western literatures. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential poets of the 20th century in India.

**Early Life and Education**

A.K. Ramanujan was born on March 16, 1929, in Mysore, India, to a Tamil Brahmin family. His father was a civil servant, and the family moved frequently during Ramanujan's childhood. He was educated at the University of Mysore and later at the University of Madras, where he earned his Master's degree in English Literature.

**Career and Achievements**

Ramanujan began his career as a teacher and later moved to the United States, where he taught at various universities, including the University of Chicago and the University of California, Berkeley. He was a prolific writer and translator, and his work spanned multiple genres, including poetry, fiction, and non-fiction.

Some of his notable works include:

1. **Fifty-Two Poems** (1963) - a collection of poems that showcases his unique style and voice.
2. **The Striders** (1966) - a collection of poems that explores the relationship between the individual and society.
3. **Poems Divided** (1968) - a collection of poems that reflects his interest in Indian and Western literatures.
4. **The Collected Poems of A.K. Ramanujan** (2000) - a comprehensive collection of his poems, edited by his wife, Susie Tharu.

Ramanujan was also a renowned translator, and his translations of Indian classics, such as the **Bhagavata Purana** and the **Mahabharata**, are highly regarded.

**Impact and Legacy**

A.K. Ramanujan's work has had a significant impact on Indian literature and poetry. He is credited with introducing Indian poetry to a global audience and challenging traditional notions of Indian literature. His unique style, which blended Indian and Western influences, has influenced a generation of Indian poets.

Ramanujan's work also explores themes of identity, culture, and politics, making him a key figure in the Indian literary movement of the 20th century. His poetry is characterized by its lyricism, imagery, and philosophical depth, and his translations have helped to popularize Indian literature worldwide.

**Awards and Honors**

Ramanujan received several awards and honors for his work, including the Sahitya Akademi Award (1979) and the Padma Shri (1981). He was also a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

**Personal Life**

Ramanujan was married to Susie Tharu, a scholar and writer, and they had two children together. He passed away on July 25, 1993, at the age of 64, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable literary achievements.
A.K. Ramanujan (1929-1993) was an Indian poet, scholar, and translator of Tamil and Sanskrit texts. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential Indian poets of his generation. Ramanujan was born in Erode, Tamil Nadu, and spent his early years in Mysore, where his family later settled.

**Early Life and Education**

Ramanujan's father, Chinnaswami, was a Hindu from a traditional Tamil family, while his mother, Aachi Ammal, was a devout Christian. This syncretic background influenced Ramanujan's thoughts on Indian culture and spirituality. Ramanujan attended St. Paul's High School in Mysore and later studied at Christ College, Bangalore, where he earned a degree in economics. He went to the United States for further studies and received a Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Chicago.

**Career and Achievements**

Ramanujan's work in linguistics and Sanskrit literature earned him recognition, but his poetry was what truly set him apart. He began writing poetry in English while in the United States, drawing inspiration from Indian mythology, history, and folklore. His poetry collections, such as 'Striders on the Clouds' (1952) and 'Birds on the Tree' (1963), received critical acclaim.

Some of Ramanujan's notable poetry collections include:

1. 'Hymns for the Drowning' (1962) - A collection of poems that drew upon Indian mythology and folklore.
2. 'Credits to the Sun and Other Poems' (1965) - A collection that explored the complexities of human relationships and emotions.
3. 'A Flower for Sapling' (1972) - A collection that saw Ramanujan experimenting with non-traditional forms.
4. 'Poltava' (1975) - A bilingual collection of poems in English and Tamil.

Ramanujan also worked as a professor at several institutions, including the Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages in Hyderabad and the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi.

**Impact and Legacy**

A.K. Ramanujan's poetry and scholarship had a profound impact on Indian literature and culture. He was one of the first Indian poets to write in English and explore Indian themes. His work exposed readers to the rich and diverse world of Indian mythology, folklore, and history.

Ramanujan's legacy extends beyond his poetry. He was a pioneer in the field of comparative literature, and his work in this area paved the way for future scholars and writers. His translations of Tamil and Sanskrit texts, such as 'Hymns for the Drowning God', are considered classics.

Ramanujan's influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary Indian writers and poets. His poetry collections have been translated into numerous languages, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of writers, scholars, and readers.

**Posthumous Recognition**

In 1994, Ramanujan was posthumously awarded the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, India's highest literary honor, for his outstanding contributions to Indian literature. His poetry and scholarship continue to be celebrated and studied around the world, solidifying his place as one of the most important Indian poets of the 20th century.