JOIN USChief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the State government would write to the Centre to bring out a commemorative stamp on Jnanapith awardee K V Puttappa, popularly known by the pen name Kuvempu.
Speaking after launching ‘Kuvempu-Chitrasamputa’, a 340-page pictorial volume on the life and times of Kuvempu in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the government would also expedite the process of constructing a Kalamandira in Bengaluru in the name of the renowned writer.
Earlier, speaking at the launch of the book brought out by Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Foundation, writer Hampa Nagarajaiah pointed out that no commemorative stamp had been brought out on Kuvempu. Siddaramaiah said he would take steps to write to the Centre and the appropriate authorities to bring out the stamp.
The chief minister said the Bangalore Development Authority had been directed to find a suitable location for constructing the Kalamandira.
Siddaramaiah said that Rs two crore had been sanctioned for the project.
Kuvempu-Chitrasamputa has 550 rare photographs. A major contribution for the book is from Kuvempu’s son and writer, the late Purnachandra Tejaswi, the audience at the launch were informed.
Siddaramaiah said that while he had the opportunity to meet and interact with Kuvempu several times, there was no photograph of them together. “It would have been a constant inspiration for me if such a photograph had been taken,” he said.
He said he will make it a point to visit Kuppali in Shivamogga district, where Kuvempu spent his childhood, during his birth anniversary celebrations on December 29.
DH News Service