M. R. Dattathri is an acclaimed Kannada and English author, poet, and columnist, as well as a seasoned information technology professional with extensive experience in leading multinational companies in India and the United States. A novelist at heart, he is celebrated for his compelling storytelling and nuanced exploration of contemporary themes.   His body of work includes critically acclaimed novels, poetry, and essays, several of which have received prestigious literary honours and have been translated into Telugu, extending his readership beyond Karnataka. His English novel What's Your Price, Mr. Shivaswamy?, published by Penguin Random House India, is a translation of his award-winning Kannada novel Ondondu Talegū Ondondu Bele.   Dattathri is the recipient of numerous literary accolades, including the Masti Prashasti (2019), Book Brahma Best Novel of the Year Award (2023), Vardhamana Prashasti (2023), and the Sunanda Belgaokar Award (2025), among several others. Through his novels, poetry, and columns, he continues to make a significant contribution to contemporary Kannada literature.