<p>There was no change in the programme, he told journalists in Bangalore.<br /><br />Reacting to the opposition from a few pro-Kannada organisations, Yeddyurappa said the government decided to invite Murthy to inaugurate the conference only after taking ‘everybody’s’ view. <br /><br />The invitation cards would be ready in a day. The reception committee had completed all preparations for the conference, being held 25 years after the first such conference in Mysore in 1985.<br /><br />Over the years, Karnataka had increased its potential to offer job opportunities to talented people from abroad. The State had become the preferred destination for global investments in various sectors, Yeddyurappa said. The conference would be an occasion to review developments in the lives of Kannadigas in the recent past and work out a blueprint for their peaceful living in tune with the modern knowledge era, he said. The government had released Rs 30 crore for the conference. Sessions on literature, agriculture, cinema, desi culture and cultural programmes would be part of the conference. An exhibition-cum-sale of books and art workshops had also been organised, Yeddyurappa said. <br /><br />100 Kannada books<br /><br />As many as 30 tableaux, one each from all districts, would take part in the procession to be organised during the conference. The government would release 100 Kannada books on the occasion, he said.<br /><br />The chief minister said the government had invited non-resident Kannadigas (NRKs) and ‘Horanada Kannadigaru’ (Kannadigas in other states) for the event. As many as 300 NRKs and around 3,000 ‘Horanada Kannadigaru’ would attend the event. </p>.<p>The government had instructed the authorities concerned in government, semi-government and private organisations to grant leave to those of their employees who wished to participate in the conference. The chief minister said he would stay put in Belgaum throughout the conference and take part in the proceedings. </p>.<p>Cultural extravaganza<br /><br />A host of cultural programmes have been organised as part of the World Kannada Conference. <br /><br /><em>The artistes performing at the event include well-known Carnatic classical music exponents like Balamuralikrishna, singer S P Balasubramanyam, drummer Shivamani, guitarist Prakash Sontakki, singer Vijayaprakash and musicians - Suma Sudheendra, D S Chalekar, Vidwan Anoor Anantakrishna Sharma, Kadri Gopalnath, Narasimhalu Vadavati, Pandit Parameshwara Hegde, Dr Hanumanna Nayakadore, B Jayashree, Subhadramma Mansur, Shimoga Subbanna, B K Sumitra, Bananduru Kempaiah and flautist Pravin Godkhindi - and dancers Dr Maya Rao, Nirupama Rajendra and Shubha Dhananjaya.</em><br /><br />For govt, Ash is a proud Kannadiga, but not Girish Kasaravalli! <br /><br />Yeddyurappa released a booklet titled - ‘Munnudi’ (foreword) - on the World Kannada Conference. It carries portraits of 65 Kannadigas who have contributed to the development of Karnataka. Personalities from the glamour world and sports field have <br />also found a place. </p>.<p>Film artistes Rajkumar, Aishwarya Rai, Deepika Padukone, B Sarojadevi, the seven Jnanapeetha awardees of Kannada literature, sports personalities Prakash Padukone, Anil Kumble, Srinath and Ashwini Nachappa figure in the photo gallery. Among politicians, former chief ministers S Nijalingappa, Kadidal Manjappa, H D Deve Gowda, Devaraj Urs, S R Bommai and Bangarappa, besides V V Giri, find a place in the booklet. However, the portraits of S R Bommai and S Nijalingappa are repeated. <br /><br />The Kannada and Culture Department seems to have ignored several true Kannada talents while preparing the booklet. It has not included director Girish Kasaravalli, who has won many national and international awards for his films. Even the contributions of Manjeshwara Govinda Pai, the first Rashtrakavi, do not find a mention. If Aishwarya Rai can be billed as a ‘proud Kannadati,’ one wonders why Shilpa Shetty is missing! </p>
<p>There was no change in the programme, he told journalists in Bangalore.<br /><br />Reacting to the opposition from a few pro-Kannada organisations, Yeddyurappa said the government decided to invite Murthy to inaugurate the conference only after taking ‘everybody’s’ view. <br /><br />The invitation cards would be ready in a day. The reception committee had completed all preparations for the conference, being held 25 years after the first such conference in Mysore in 1985.<br /><br />Over the years, Karnataka had increased its potential to offer job opportunities to talented people from abroad. The State had become the preferred destination for global investments in various sectors, Yeddyurappa said. The conference would be an occasion to review developments in the lives of Kannadigas in the recent past and work out a blueprint for their peaceful living in tune with the modern knowledge era, he said. The government had released Rs 30 crore for the conference. Sessions on literature, agriculture, cinema, desi culture and cultural programmes would be part of the conference. An exhibition-cum-sale of books and art workshops had also been organised, Yeddyurappa said. <br /><br />100 Kannada books<br /><br />As many as 30 tableaux, one each from all districts, would take part in the procession to be organised during the conference. The government would release 100 Kannada books on the occasion, he said.<br /><br />The chief minister said the government had invited non-resident Kannadigas (NRKs) and ‘Horanada Kannadigaru’ (Kannadigas in other states) for the event. As many as 300 NRKs and around 3,000 ‘Horanada Kannadigaru’ would attend the event. </p>.<p>The government had instructed the authorities concerned in government, semi-government and private organisations to grant leave to those of their employees who wished to participate in the conference. The chief minister said he would stay put in Belgaum throughout the conference and take part in the proceedings. </p>.<p>Cultural extravaganza<br /><br />A host of cultural programmes have been organised as part of the World Kannada Conference. <br /><br /><em>The artistes performing at the event include well-known Carnatic classical music exponents like Balamuralikrishna, singer S P Balasubramanyam, drummer Shivamani, guitarist Prakash Sontakki, singer Vijayaprakash and musicians - Suma Sudheendra, D S Chalekar, Vidwan Anoor Anantakrishna Sharma, Kadri Gopalnath, Narasimhalu Vadavati, Pandit Parameshwara Hegde, Dr Hanumanna Nayakadore, B Jayashree, Subhadramma Mansur, Shimoga Subbanna, B K Sumitra, Bananduru Kempaiah and flautist Pravin Godkhindi - and dancers Dr Maya Rao, Nirupama Rajendra and Shubha Dhananjaya.</em><br /><br />For govt, Ash is a proud Kannadiga, but not Girish Kasaravalli! <br /><br />Yeddyurappa released a booklet titled - ‘Munnudi’ (foreword) - on the World Kannada Conference. It carries portraits of 65 Kannadigas who have contributed to the development of Karnataka. Personalities from the glamour world and sports field have <br />also found a place. </p>.<p>Film artistes Rajkumar, Aishwarya Rai, Deepika Padukone, B Sarojadevi, the seven Jnanapeetha awardees of Kannada literature, sports personalities Prakash Padukone, Anil Kumble, Srinath and Ashwini Nachappa figure in the photo gallery. Among politicians, former chief ministers S Nijalingappa, Kadidal Manjappa, H D Deve Gowda, Devaraj Urs, S R Bommai and Bangarappa, besides V V Giri, find a place in the booklet. However, the portraits of S R Bommai and S Nijalingappa are repeated. <br /><br />The Kannada and Culture Department seems to have ignored several true Kannada talents while preparing the booklet. It has not included director Girish Kasaravalli, who has won many national and international awards for his films. Even the contributions of Manjeshwara Govinda Pai, the first Rashtrakavi, do not find a mention. If Aishwarya Rai can be billed as a ‘proud Kannadati,’ one wonders why Shilpa Shetty is missing! </p>
