A tale of man who dedicated himself for Kannada

Mulbagal, a border taluk in the Kolar district, is not particularly known  for the use of Kannada language, as Telugu is widely spoken in the region which shares border with Andhra Pradesh. However, the pro-Kannada activities have their own distinctive history.

During the 1970s, a theatre was opened in the Mulbagal town. However, there was a agitation to screen Kannada movies as Telugu movies ruled the roost.

Kannada activists Uthanuru Srinivas, Kannadabhata Venkatappa and others were injured in the agitation.

The pro-Kannada agitations which began from then, have produced many stalwarts who have carved a niche for themselves in the field. Kannadabhata Venkatappa is one of them.

Venkatappa who has supernnuated from the Taluk Land Bank, has completely devoted himself for Kannada cause. Currently, he is the president of the Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat. He is known for participation in all most all the Kannada programmes.

Harmony

One of the unique aspect of the Mulbagal taluk is the harmony between the speakers of Kannada and Telugu languages. One of the best examples is the marriage invitation cards. In most of the invitations cards Telugu is written using Kannada script.

The brides of many of the pro-Kannada activists hail from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Venkatappa’s wife hails from a village near Chittor in AP. However, Kannada is widely spoken in their household.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Venkatappa said that for the first time Kannada Janapada Kala Mela was held in 1978. Later, in the year 2002 district Kannada Sahitya Sammelana was organised in Kolar.

For the first time, Taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelana is being organised in Mulbagal.

Though the State government has sanctioned Rs 50,000, it is not sufficient to meet the expenses.

Hence we have approached other departments, organisations and individuals for conducting the programme, he added.

Though the use of  Kannada is not complete in the taluk, it is much better compared to the past decades, said Venkatappa who added that pride for Kannada language was still missing among the people. He hoped that Sammelana would be a success with all the support.

Taluk literary fest from tomorrow

The Kannada Sahitya Sammelan will be held at DVG Rangamandira here on January 24 and 25.

The Kannada flag will be hoisted on January 24 at 9 am and the main entrance has been named after K V Puttappa. Tahsildar P Jayamadhav, MLA Amaresh and Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Kannada Bhata Venktappa will be present.

Later, the Sammelan president will be taken in a colourful procession. Literary debates, sessions and other programmes have been lined up for the two-day literary festival.