Born in 1964 in Ganjimutt, a small village of Dakshina Kannada district where his father Maulana Muhammed Shafi, a theologian was working as Imam of a Masjid. He went to school in Bailur, Adi-Udupi and Udupi. He completed his graduation under ICE, University of Madras and later pursued studies in Law at SDM law College, Mangalore. In the meantime he chose journalism as his profession and began his career as a sub editor in a Kannada weekly magazine in Mangalore. He studied Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Islamic theology and Muslim History under his father Maulana Shafi Saheb and later under Moulana Sayyed Yunus Saheb.
Career
During his career as a journalist, apart from reporting and writing his own articles, he translated many Urdu and English books into Kannada language. He was one of the members of the committee that edited the Kannada translation of Urdu work ‘Thalkhees Thafheemul Quran’ titled ‘Qur’an Vyakhyana’. He has authored a few books in Kannada and English. His most famous English work, Towards Performing Da’wah, was published in UK by The International Council for Islamic Information (ICII), Leicester
In 1996, Mr. Puthige along with his associate Mr. Yaseen Malpe, launched Madhyama Kendra (Media Center), Bangalore, which is a well known institution in the State today. Its principal objective is to educate the masses on Media, Mass communication and related topics. He is the director of Institute of Media Studies, Bangalore that has conducted several studies on the prevailing trends, bias and prejudices in the mainstream Media, focusing particularly on the misrepresentation, under representation and negative stereotyping of various communities in the regional Kannada Media.
‘Kannadadalli Qur’an Anuvada’ is his most celebrated work so far. It is his own translation of the entire Holy Qur’an in Kannada language, with brief notes. Its first edition was released on 1 September 2012 by Rajarshi Dr.Virendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra, Dharmastala. This work has already seen 4 Editions. Its third Edition was published in Dubai by the Department of Islamic Affairs, Government of Dubai, UAE. The releasing ceremony in Dubai was inaugurated by Mr. MK Lokesh, Ambassador of India in UAE. This lucid translation of Quran is available online. The same is also available as an android application the Google play for free with the title ‘Quran in Kannada’ .
Puthige has served as Chief resource person in dozens of Media workshop both in India and abroad. He is known for his proficiency in languages such as Kannada, Urdu, English, Hindi, Beary and Tulu. He can communicate in Malayalam, Tamil and Nawayat languages. Asked about Arabic and Persian, he says he is a serious student of both these languages.
