Nitin Kushalappa

Mookonda Poonacha Nitin Kushalappa (also known as Nitin Kushalappa M.P. or Mookonda Kushalappa) is the author of ten books, including four on the history of Kodagu (Coorg) and the Kodava people. A telecom engineering graduate, he has worked as a software developer, consultant, lead engineer, entrepreneur, team lead and manager across start-ups, MNCs and other organizations. He received the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar in 2025 for Dakshin: South Indian Myths and Fables Retold (2023), a folktale collection for children. He is currently pursuing a PhD in history. His articles appear regularly in the Deccan Herald and the Star of Mysore.