| Darbe Krishnananda Chowta | |
| Birth Date: | 1 June 1938 |
| Birth Place: | Kerala, India |
| Death Date: | 19 June 2019 (aged 81) |
| Death Place: | Bengaluru, India |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Citizenship: | India |
| Children: | Sandeep Chowta Prajna Chowta |
Darbe Krishnananda Chowta (1 June 1938 – 19 June 2019)[1] was an Indian businessman, writer, artist, and theatre personality.[2] At the time of his death he was the general secretary of the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath[3] a position he had also served in previously.[4]
Chowta was born in Darbhe Meeyappadau, near Manjeshwar, Kerala, in a Tulu-speaking Bunt family.[2]
After completing his postgraduate studies in economics from Bombay University, Chowta spent several years of his life in Ghana, Nigeria and London.[2] He returned to Bangalore and became involved in industry, exports, country clubs and various businesses, which resulted in the establishment of companies such as M/S Power Gear Ltd., M/S P.C. Exports and Sun Valley Club. M/S P.C. Exports was awarded by the Exports Promotion Council five times. Under his presidency, the Bunts Sangha Bangalore held a World Bunts Convention in 1995.
Chowta wrote under the pen name of Ananda Krishna. His works, Kariyavajjerena Kathekkulu and Plilipathigadasu, a drama, received awards from the Karnataka Government's Tulu Sahithya Academy.[5] His other works include Pattu Pajjelu, Darmettimaye, Uri Ushnada Maye and Mittabailu Yamunakka.[6] He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Mangalore University.
Chowta had two children, Sandeep Chowta (a musician) and Prajna Chowta (an ethnographer).[7]