JOIN USResearcher M Chidanandamurthy inaugurated the ‘Halmidi Utsav’, being held for the first time at Halmidi village, where the stone inscription which describes the history of Kannada language was found, in Belur taluk, on Sunday.
The researcher opined that it would have been difficult for Kannada to get the classical language tag, if Halmidi inscription was not discovered.
Administrative language
The Kadambas, who are said to be the first Kannada kings who ruled the State, had used Kannada as their administrative language and the Halmidi inscription is an example for this. It is apt to celebrate the festival in Halmidi village, he said. President of Kannada Sahitya Parishat Pundalika Halambi, who presided over the programme, said, organising the festival in Halmidi, during the centenary celebrations of the Sahitya Parishat was commendable. The State government had sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for the centenary celebrations, he said.
Felicitations
Persons who strived for the development of Halmidi village were felicitated on the occasion. Earlier, MLA Y N Rudreshgowda inaugurated the Kannada Bhavan constructed in the village.
Despite problems like lack of facilities, Halmidi village was decorated to host the two-day festival.
The village was spruced up with colourful rangolis and the writers and delegates from various parts of the State were given a warm welcome.
DH News Service