'Develop pride about Kannada'

Litterateur Lilavathi S Rao presides over Mangalore taluk-level literary meet

Though Kannada enjoys the status of classic language, and has to its credit eight Jnanapeeth awards, there is dearth of pride among Kannadigas towards the language, opined Kannada litterateur Lilavathi S Rao. She was delivering her presidential address in the Taluk Kannada literary convention held in Vishnumurthy Temple, Kulai in Mangalore on Sunday.

“When we go to other States, we can hardly find a single Kannada channel in Cable TV network, though we find channels of other languages. The fate of Kannada films’ screening is no better than this. In our State, Kannada medium schools are being shut down due to the scarcity of students. Also, Kannada is being eliminated from school curriculum in schools in border areas. The Government has to take essential steps to safeguard Kannada interests,” she urged.

“Though modern technology offers many advantages, our literature, culture and folk arts are facing serious threats from it. While engaging in modern technology, we are losing social relations,” she lamented.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said that literary conventions should cross the barriers of caste and religion. “Taluk and Hobli level literary conventions are organised with the motto of encouraging creative thinking of literature. We are in a phase where our tradition is vanishing and every aspect of our life is modernised. Literary conventions should also address to these type of cultural issues,” Kalkura said. Litterateurs Na Da Shetty said that Kannada book publication is at a pathetic condition and it needs a systematic approach to make justice to writers. Writer Bola Chittaranjan Das Shetty and Kannada Sahitya Parishat former President Harikrishna Punaroor also spoke.

‘Ajji Helida Adbhuta Kathegalu,’ a storybook for children, written by Lilavathi S Rao was unveiled on the occasion by Harikrishna Punaroor. Exhibition of antique items was featured at the venue of literary convention. Book stalls and processed food stalls evoked good response.