'Kannada language safe in border areas'

A village-level Kannada Sahitya Sammelana was organised by the Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishad on Wednesday.

The programme, conducted on the Tadigol Government High School premises, was inaugurated by Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishad president Na Venkoba Rao.

“Village-level Sahitya Sammelanas are being organised in order to popularise Kannada language and literature in border areas. Local citizens, writers and artistes have been responding well to the attempt,” Rao said.

Work to popularise

Although Telugu is commonly used in the border areas, the people’s love for Kannada has not diminished, he said.

“Yet, love for the language only is not enough for growth of the language. Kannada should be used for everyday conversation. You will help Kannada survive and develop by doing this,” he advised and requested the people present.

Rao said with a view to promote usage of Kannada, students who score the highest marks in Kannada in the 10th standard exams are being rewarded.

“Kannada medium students who answer SSLC exams are provided free writing tools.”

Strength of the language

Local Government High School principal K N Ramachandra presided over the programme.

Kannada literature is several centuries old. Litterateurs have worked for growth and development of the language through their works. “Kannada has the largest number of Jnanapitha awardees in the country. This proves the strength and steady position of the language,” he stated.

Students should buy and read Kannada literary works. They should develop the habit of reading Kannada newspapers, Ramachandra said.

“They should display their love for the language under all circumstances. They should continue the tradition of respecting Kannada poets, writers and artistes,” he advised.

Cultural programmes

Retired lecturer T K Prabhakar and Kannada Sahitya Parishad member R Ravi Kumar spoke of the greatness of Kannada language.

Students scoring highest marks in Kannada in last year’s 10th standard exams were awarded. Local students were given free writing tools.

Students of local schools present cultural programmes during the occasion. Yoga artistes performed various yogasanas. Writers K N Chandrashekharaiah, Sulaiman Khan, N Srinivas Reddy, K V Chandrappa, A Murali Babu read their poems.

Teacher Chandrappa welcomed the gathering and S M Manjunath proposed the vote of thanks.