News & Pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (VA)
Mumbai, Dec 11: Mumbai University hosted a three-day Kuvempu Sahitya Utsav at Firoz Shah Mehta auditorium, Kalina Campus, Santacruz East here on Friday December 10.
It was organized under the the aegis of Mumbai University’s Kannada department, Abhijit Publications, Rastra Kavi Kuvempu Pratistan, Karnataka Kannada Sahitya Academy, Kuvempu Bhasha Bharati, Bangalore, Karnataka Sangha – Mumbai and ‘Akshaya’ monthly bulletin.
Dr Pradhan Gurudatta of Kuvempu Basha Bharati Pradhikara presided. Mukyamantri Chandru, president, Kannada Development Authority inaugurated the Utsav. Eminent litterateur Nadoja Dr Hampa Nagaraj was the key speaker.
Addressing the gathering, Mukyamantri Chandru said that language will not be sustained if life and writings cease to exist. A country’s richness is not measured in terms of its economic status. The true richness lies in its literature and culture, he added.
“Hundreds of Kannada organizations in the metro are struggling for the sustenance of Kannada and the struggle is getting a much needed boost by exploring the literary woks of Rastra Kavi Kuvempu,” said Chandru. Meanwhile, he assured that all assistance required at Kannada schools in the metro would be provided.
Nadoja Dr Hampa Nagaraj said that Kuvempu entered the Kannada literary sphere when it was expecting a major boost. “He brought honour to Karnataka – Kannada and of course Kannadigas through his significant literary contributions,” said Dr Nagaraj. He mentioned six critical books of Kuvempu which have paved the way for innovative Kannada literature.
Dr Pradhan Gurudatta, in his presidential address, said that prominent Kannada poet Ravindra has created masterpieces of poetry that will remain immemorial. Dr Kamala Hampa Nagaraj, one of the chief guests said that Ramayana Darshanam was the most refined works of 20th century.
Three New Works Released
On the occasion three new works were released. ‘Marati Vajmiya Vihara’ of Buntara Vani monthly’s former editor Ratnakar Shetty’ was released by Nadoja Hampa Nagaraj, ‘Mysore Samskrithika Kathana’ of Dr Leela was released by Dr Nadoja Kamala Hampa Nagaraj and Vasanta Kalakoti’s collection of stories – ‘Haleyadellavu Honnallave’ was released by Dr Pradhana Gurudatta.
Akshaya Monthly’s editor Eshwara Alevooru, Kannada deopartment’s Poornima Shetty and Dr R Deshpande briefed about the newly released works.
Felicitation
Several personalities who have contributed in the various sections were felicitated on the occasion. M D Shetty, Rashtriya Billawara Mahamandala president Jaya C Suvarna, Kulala Sangha Mumbai president P K Salian, B R Hebballi, G T Acharya, Mitra Venkatraj, Shyamala Madhava and Uma Nagabhooshan were among the ones who were honoured by the dignitaries.
The Karnataka Rajyotsava Award- 2010 recipients R K Shetty, Manohar M Kori and S Bidari and also Putani Party film’s director Ramachandraiah were felicitated with gold medal on the occasion.
Various cultural programmes on Kuvempu’s life and works were held. Karnataka Sahitya Academy secretary V N Mallikarjunaswamy welcomed the gathering. Mumbai University head of department of Kannada Dr G N Upadhya delivered the introductory address and Mumbai Kannada Sangha president Bharat Kumar compered the programme.