Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Jul 6: “When Christian missionaries came to India in 1706, after gaining permission of East India Company and local heads, they worked here without causing any harm to the religious faith of this land. Moreover, they contributed the printing house, educational institutions, and hospitals to Mangalore. They studied Kannada language and compiled many books based on ancient ideals and passed the good message to everyone. They did it out of their love for Kannada language and Dr Herman Moegling was one among such personalities,” said renowned Kannada writer Na D’Souza. He was the chief guest at the KACES Day (birthday of late Dr C D Jathanna, founder, KACES) celebration held at Bishop Jathanna Auditorium, Balmatta, on Friday July 6.
He quoted the words of writer B M Shrikantaiah who said the contribution of Basel Mission to Kannada language is noteworthy as they sacrificed external luxury of their native and in Karnataka they brought the literary works to light which were on palm leaf inscriptions.
“They took the help of local intellectual persons and brought out the dictionary which later helped many Kannada works to be understood by Germans. Also, hymns of Kanakadasa and Purandaradasa were translated to German language through which morale, brilliancy, and simplicity among other principles were understood by Germans,” he said. “A strong base was laid for Kannada journalism which shows Moegling’s love for the language. Kannada scripts also improved through the introduction of printing house,” said D’Souza and added missionaries had no other intention than their love for Kannada language.
He suggested organizing a book exhibition of works of Dr Moegling in the city and asked the people of the younger generation to come forward to read the books.
P B Harish Rai, president, DKWJU, was the guest of honour. Dr H R Cabral, principal, KTC, and secretary, KACES, presided over the programme.
Earlier, the bust of Dr Moegling, the founder of KTC, was unveiled by D’Souza. On the occasion, CCB Inspector H N Venkatesh Prasanna, the first doctoral student of KATHRI was felicitated.