H M Nayak was born on September 12, 1931 at Harogadde in Thirthahalli Taluk of Shivamogga District. His father Srinivasa Nayaka and mother Rukminamma. The full name of Ha Ma Nayak who was popularly known as Ha Ma Na was Harogadde Manappa Naya.
He completed his primary and secondary education in Megravalli and Thirthahalli. Later he completed Inter in Shivamogga, Mysore Maharaja’s College B.A. After earning Honours, he served as faculty at Tumkur, Shivamogga.
Joined Mysore University in 1961, received a scholarship from Mysore University and did his M.A. in Linguistics from Calcutta University. Got a master’s degree. After receiving a Fulbright scholarship, he delivered a major thesis on Kannada literature and the language of goats and received his doctorate from Indiana University in the US.
He authored more than 60 works like Sanchaya, Samprati, Sampada, Sahitya Sallapa,Samputa, Sulangi, Kannada Sahitya Charitari etc. He had earned a huge fan following by writing columns in various newspapers. He has the distinction of winning the first Central Sahitya Akademi Award in the column literature category. Rajyotsava and Pampa awards are also given to H.M. leaders.
Hamana died of a heart attack in Mysore on 11 November 2000.