Rich tributes paid to Rashtrakavi on his birth anniversary

City Municipal Council president Kaveramma Somanna on Thursday gave a call to the people to inculcate the teachings of poet laureate Kuvempu.

Addressing the gathering during the birth anniversary celebrations of Kuvempu celebrated as Vishwamanava Dina, Kaveramma said the Jnanpith Award-winning writer contributed immensely to literature in the form of stories, novels, plays and poems. She opined that the social reforms that took place in 20th century were inspired by the works of Kuvempu.

Additional deputy commissioner M Satish Kumar gave a list of popular works of Kuvempu like ‘Kanooru Heggadati’, ‘Malegalalli Madumagalu’ and ‘Sri Ramayana Darshanam’ that fetched him the Jnanpith Award, to rate the calibre of the poet. Kuvempu, who left an indelible mark in every form of literature, was recipient of ‘Karnataka Ratna’ and several other awards of repute.

Block education officer Bommegowda recalled the titles of Kuvempu - ‘Yugada Kavi’ and ‘Jagada Kavi’ - whose works included ‘Manuja Mata’, ‘Vishwa Patha’, ‘Koneya Tene’, ‘Vishwamanava Sandesha’. Kuvempu who was against casteism was one of the indomitable forces in the state.

Assistant commissioner Nanjunde Gowda lauded Kuvempu for breaking the glass ceiling in Kannada literature that was earlier a preserve of conservatives. A booklet on Kuvempu brought out by the Department of Information and Public Relations was also released.

Artistes of Layana Lahari from Mysuru Indrani Anantharamu, C R Raghavendra Prasad, Indu Shekar and Prasanna Kumar rendered songs penned by Kuvempu.

Zilla Panchayat chief planning officer Siddalinga Murthy, chief accounts officer Nanda, assistant director, Kannada and Culture Department L N Kullaiah and DDPI G R Basavaraj were present.