Honour has brought more responsibility: CPK

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, he said he was happy to preside over the literary meet. It is the highest honour for him, he opined and added that the Sahitya Sammelana was not just a literary programme, but a symbol of state’s cultural and language heritage. The honour of presiding over the Sahitya Sammelan has brought with it more responsibility, Krishna Kumar told the media.

Giving an outline on his ideas, the writer said he would lay emphasis on more aggressive work on Classical Kannada and efficient utilisation of the funds allocated for the research on classical works. Also, the Sammelana would adopt a resolution against the government’s decision to shut government Kannada medium schools in the State.

“Though it was essential to learn English, the medium of instruction should be Kannada and only Kannada. English should be learnt only for learning sake. The closing down of Kannada schools will only promote English medium schools. Instead, closing English schools is a better idea,” Krishna Kumar stated.

Profile

C P Krishna Kumar who will preside over the 78th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana was born on April 8, 1931 at Chikkanayakanahalli at Saligrama in K R Nagar taluk. A scholar in Kannada, English and Sanskrit, he has done extensive work in Kannada poetry and writings. Besides being a well known poet and critic, Krishna Kumar also emerged as a limerick and small poems (Hani Gavana) writer.

He has authored more than 40 books and more than 1000 poetry and limericks. Krishna Kumar was the director of Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies between 1989-91 and was a visiting professor to Kuvempu Poetry chair of the University of Mysore after serving as Kannada professor at Maharaja college and Manasagangothri campus for more than three decades. A writer who penned his works in the name, CPK is also a Rajyothsava awardee and many other honours.