Writers recollect Masti's uniqueness

Writers C N Ramachandran, Sara Abubakar and Prof S G Siddaramaiah were presented with the Masti award on Sunday.

Jnanapith awardee Chandrashekara Kambara felicitated them at a programme jointly organised by the Masti Venkatesha Iyengar award committee and Dr Masti  in the City. K R Ramakrishna, Commissioner of the Department of Kannada and Culture, presented the ‘Masti Katha Puraskara’ award to C N Ramachandra, Anupama Prasad and Chintamani Kodlekere.

Kambara said, “The popularity of Indian literature is recognised at the global level. Short stories are the heart and soul of literature.

“Masti Venkatesha Iyengar possessed mastery over this genre. His contribution to the field of Indian short stories is unparalleled and exemplary.” He also said that Masti’s uniqueness was his art of story telling and bringing to life  their characters.

Noted writer K Channabasappa said, “Masti treated women with respect and this is evident in most of his stories. He tried to empower women and project them as strong characters in the society. “Writers have the moral responsibility of developing love, trust and harmony in the society through their writings.”

President of the Masti award committee Maavinakere Ranganathan said the Masti Trust had purchased a 20,000-sq ft plot  at Jnanagangotri, Ullal, Bangalore where a Masti Bhavana would be constructed. He added that the Bhavana will encompass a 350- seater auditorium and a library along with space for literary activities.