New cultural policy to cover wider spectrum, says Baragur

The cultural policy proposed by the State government will incorporate all aspects of cultural spectrum in the State, including functioning of academies, selection of awardees, release of grants to various institutions, among others.

Addressing a press conference in Bangalore on Friday, the newly appointed chairman for the drafting committee, Baragur Ramachandrappa, said that the panel will consult all stakeholders including academicians, litterateurs, artistes and the public before coming out with the policy.

The six-member committee held its first meeting in Bangalore on Friday in the presence of Minister of State for Kannada and Culture Umashree.

Baragur said the committee plans to hold nine consultation meetings in different parts of the State during the next three months. The panel will submit its final report within the next six months.

“The policy will not be restricted only to streamline the functioning of the Department of Kannada and Culture, but also provide a broader vision to the entire cultural spectrum,” said Umashree, who was also present on the occasion.

The basic framework of the policy will keep in mind the diversity of State and also try to create a greater harmony between Kannada and other languages spoken in the State like Tulu, Konkani and Kodava, Baragur said.

To a query on the resentment by a section of litterateurs on the need for the State government to develop a policy for culture, Baragur said that while there was some dissent, it had also led to more curiosity on the project.

He expressed hope that successive governments will within the basic framework of the policy and do not allow political compulsions to intervene.