The taluk is all set to host the Second Kannada Literary Fest on December 29.
Masti Krishnappa, winner of Kannada Sahitya Akademi Award, will preside.
Unlike the first fest, which was presided over by a comedy and movie script writer, famous all over the State, Krishnappa is a native of Masti in Malur taluk.
His father is Rathnappa and mother Bellamma. Krishnappa completed his primary and high school education in Masti Government School and has a degree in Arts from Bangalore University. He works as a teacher at the Primary School in the taluk.
He was awarded the Karnataka State Sahitya Akademi Award in 2010 for his first individual work ‘Kannada Kandana Dindima Naada’.
Mostly involved in translation of literary works, Krishnappa has translated more than 100 stories. Some of his translated works have been published in dailies and weeklies. Some have also been published as serials in journals like Adavi, Ooru and Anoohya. Translation of the novel ‘Naxal’ was published in 2011.
Krishnappa currently holds the post of the district chairman of the State Children’s Literary Forum. He is also in the process of translating Nandi Award-winning Telugu play ‘Sy Sy Jo Edlabandi’ into Kannada under the title ‘Annadaata Dukhibhava’.
In an interview with Deccan Herald, Krishnappa said he was first drawn to literature through the hobby of reading books and magazines, which helped him develop writing even as a student. “I am most fond of poems for children as well as translation of works,” he explained.
His biggest suggestion to young writers was consider writing as a form of meditation.
“You should also diligently go through the works of contemporary and older generation writers to grow as a writer yourself,” Krishnappa added.
Regarding his opinion of literary fests, he said such meets should be organised often.
“A common platform for writers and readers means a possibility to discuss various problems of the State and also to try and find solutions to them,” he said.
Krishnappa, however, was also of the opinion that learning English was as important as learning Kannada. “English should be taught at primary school level itself, not with complacence or laziness, but with genuine interest,” he felt.
“Development of the Masti Memorial has not reached the expectations of the people. It should go by the way the Kuvempu Memorial has been developed and attract organisers of literary and cultural activities in large numbers,” said Krishnappa and added, “The Masti Road should be repaired.”
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