Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Mar 28: “Sanskrit, Kannada, and Tulu are our own languages. To preserve classical Kannada, all Kannada hearts must unite,” said Harinarayanadas Asranna, hereditary priest of Shree Kshetra Kateelu, while delivering the concluding address at the 28th Dakshina Kannada Kannada Sahitya Sammelana on Saturday evening. The three-day literary conference was held at Sparsha Kala Mandira hall, B C Road, on the Rani Abbakka platform.
Warning against the neglect of Sanskrit, he said, “Attempts to undermine Sanskrit could also endanger Kannada. Awareness and action are crucial. Thanks to Yakshagana, Kannada has remained pure in our culture.” He highlighted government inaction, noting that “no teacher has been appointed to several schools in the past thirty years. Kannada-medium schools have suffered not because of parents, but due to systemic neglect. The government must provide trained teachers to ensure the language survives.”
Former minister B Ramanath Rai, a guest at the event, observed: “Even though the government provides all facilities to state-run schools, Kannada-medium schools are being forced to close, and everyone bears responsibility. Earlier, we recited shlokas before meals. Sanskrit added a golden touch to Kannada. Even Marathi speakers were once present, now they are gone. If we stop using our language, it will perish. We must ensure Kannada does not reach that stage.”
The event was attended by Sammelana Welcome Committee president, entrepreneur B Raghunath Somayaji Erkal, convenor Pius L. Rodrigues, Rotarian governor N Prakash Karanth, senior advocate Jayaram Rai, former ZP member Chandraprakash Shetty, and border-region Kannada activist Jayaprakash.
Honours and awards
Religious leader and social worker Ravishankar Shetty Badajeguttu and social worker Vinod Shenai were felicitated for their contributions.
Sadhaka Siri Award: Jagannath Chout Badigudde (member, District Religious Council) and Jagannath Banger Nirmal Narikombu (social worker) were honoured for their service.
Kannada Siri Award: Recipients included Padmanabha Bhat and Sadananda Naravi (literature), K. Rajaram Sharma Belalu (architecture), Keshava A. (social work), Dr. Muralidhar V K (medical), Abdul Latif Gurupura (social service), Deviprasad Beltangadi (media), Luviza Coutinho (education), K.T. Vishwanath (cooperative sector), Dr. E.K.A. Siddiq, Adduru (medical and social service), Dr. Raveesh Padumale (theatre), Ismail Shafi Babbukatte (social work), Gopal Anchan (media), Shankar Aitala (culinary arts), H.K. Nayanadu (theatre), and Dr. S.R. Narahari Kasaragodu (medical and border-region service).
The prestigious Kannada Siri Award was also conferred on the renowned Yakshagana troupe Kateelu Shree Durgaparameshwari Prasada Dashavatara Yakshagana Mandali, received by senior artist Sunnambal Vishweshwar Bhat.
Sammelana presidents Chidambara and the Baikampadi couple were also felicitated. They said the three-day conference concluded successfully, thanks to the cooperation of all participants and media, which highlighted positive developments and goodwill. They assured continued collaboration with the Literary Council in the future.
Other dignitaries on stage included Bantwal Taluk Kasap president Vishwanath Kasap, taluk-level Kasap presidents Venugopal Shetty, Gowda, Manjunath S Revankar, K. Sesappa Rai Kadaba, Mithun Udupa Mulki, Sammelana Welcome Committee general secretary Abubakker Ammunje, secretary Devappa Kulal, treasurer Subhashchandra Jain, and District Kasap honorary secretary Rajeshwari M, along with P P. College principal V S. Bhat and Puttur Invitation Literature Forum president Ashamaiah, who anchored the programme.
Cultural Extravaganza
The cultural programme featured a Kannada musical ensemble by Dr. Jeevan Ram Suly’s team, a dance performance by Vidushi Shraddha Kalladka and her troupe, and Yakshagana rhythms performed by eminent local artists, showcasing the region’s rich artistic heritage.