Expert panel formed to promote Halegannada

The Kannada and Culture department has constituted a technical committee headed by academician Prof K E Radhakrishna to re-evaluate (Halegannada) old Kannada literature and language.

Kannada and Culture Minister Govind M Karjol told reporters here on Friday that the present generation was not familiar with Halegannada, and many found it difficult to read and understand literature in old Kannada. Hence, the department has decided to constitute the committee.

The objective is to reach old Kannada literature to the present generation; offer suggestions on imparting the language and knowledge to children; and generate information pertaining to skill development in animal husbandry, dairy and agriculture sectors.

Prof Mallepuram G Venkatesh, vice chancellor of Sanskrit University, litterateurs K V Prasanna, Ramzan Darga and G V Narayan have been appointed members of the committee.
The committee has been directed to submit its report within three months.

Karjol also said the department has released around Rs One crore for the revival of 22 professional theatre companies.

Over the years, many theatre companies had vanished and the department has been making efforts to nurture the ones that are still around.

The department gives a grant of Rs six lakh each to companies that have completed 25 years, Rs five lakh each to 15-year-old companies, and Rs three lakh each to companies that have not yet completed 15 years.