<p>Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha, the institution which played a crucial role in the State’s Ekikarana (unification) Movement, stands tall in the heart of Dharwad. In fact, the 125-year-old institution stands as a witness to the growth and evolution of the Kannada language in different periods of time. In 18th century, under the British rule, present-day Karnataka was split into six parts and each part came under the influence of some other language and culture. While the northwestern region was under the influence of Adil Shahis and Peshwas, the northeastern region was controlled by the Nizams. Various languages like Marathi, Urdu, Telugu and Tamil had begun casting a shadow on Kannada.<br /><br /></p>.<p> By 1818, Dharwad, Belagavi, Uttara Kannada and Vijayapura, which came <br />under Bombay Presidency, were considered as South Maharashtra and Kannada was slowly losing its status in this region.<br /><br />Language of the land<br />Kannadigas spread across various regions strongly felt the need for a separate state encompassing all Kannada speaking regions to protect the culture and language from the onslaught of other languages. In such a situation, scholars like Deputy Channabasappa and Alur Venkata Rao began initiating educational activities to encourage and nourish Kannada. Some of the British officers like W A Rusell supported the cause. They encouraged the use of Kannada in schools and offices.<br /><br />In the meantime, R H Deshpande, who holds the distinction of being the first <br />Kannadiga to complete post-graduation in the Dharwad region, tried to reinstate <br />Kannada in Dharwad. He realised the need for an organisation to promote the native language and worked systematically towards it. This led to the formation of the Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha in Dharwad on July 20, 1890. Patron R H Deshpande strengthened the Sangha and became the founder secretary. Shyamrao Kaikini, a noted lawyer from Murudeshwara, who also printed Kannada books in his printing press in Mumbai, became its first president. Venkatrangokatti became the vice-president. In 1905, a piece of land was obtained from the then deputy commissioner Gibbs. With the financial help from Chamaraja Wadiyar, the Maharaja of Mysuru, and Vantmuri Shirsangi Desai a building, named Chamaraja Mandira, was constructed. Even the public supported the growth of the Sangha. <br /><br />It brought out its first publication in 1892 and later published a literary and cultural journal called Vagabhushana. Since then the Sangha has published more than 100 books and hosted book review programmes. The Sangha also organised the first conference of Kannada writers in the State in the early 1900s.<br /><br />A library, Shantesh Vachanalaya, was set up in 1940. Now the library has over 20,000 books. Photos of Kannada literary personalities placed on the walls of R H Deshpande hall of the Sangha inspire literary enthusiasts. The Sangha also played a pivotal role in the establishment of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, All India Radio (Dharwad) and Karnataka University. It passed a resolution in 1917 urging the Government to bring all Kannada regions under one administrative unit. Later, in the 1980s, it played a key role in the Gokak Movement that demanded enforcement of Kannada in administration and education, and stressed on the implementation of Nanjundappa Committee Report on <br />regional imbalance.<br /><br />Continuing a legacy<br />Over time, the Sangha has also evolved into a hub of cultural and literary activities. It organises a variety of programmes in the field of literature, law, science, education, art, women and children issues and folklore. Every year, it conducts Nada Habba programme on Vijayadashami Day. This programme was initially launched by noted poets Da Ra Bendre and Betageri Krishna Sharma in 1926. In November every year, it hosts Kannada Habba, which comprises 15-day drama fest, awareness campaigns, seminars and other cultural and literary activities.<br /><br />“We conduct special programmes in schools and colleges to encourage students to read and write Kannada and create awareness about the necessity and significance of learning the language. Events are also organised to promote theatre. We have been conducting programmes in the border areas of the State to create conducive atmosphere for the growth of Kannada. Horanadu Kannadiga Meets are held to bind non-resident Kannadigas,” explains Shankar Halgatti, general secretary of the Sangha. The Sangha, which has successfully weaved Kannadigas into a single thread and continues to inspire young generation, has about 6,500 members.<br /><br />Veteran journalist Patil Puttappa, who has been serving as the president of the Sangha for about 50 years now says, “Kannada is one such language which has the capacity to flourish amidst challenges. The influence of other languages might be there, but it doesn’t mean the language will become extinct. Hence, learning Kannada is essential even today and the Sangha has been working for the cause.” <br /><br />After having served the Sangha for such a long time, Patil Puttappa points out that there is lack of commitment in scholars these days. However, the Sangha is making efforts to encourage more and more people to engage in social, cultural and educational activities that strengthen the language. The contributions of the Sangha has been acknowledged with awards like the Rajyotsava Award and the Karnataka Ekikarana Award.<br /><br />The situations and challenges might have changed now, but the Sangha <br />continues to play a pivotal role in promoting the language and culture of the land.</p>
<p>Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha, the institution which played a crucial role in the State’s Ekikarana (unification) Movement, stands tall in the heart of Dharwad. In fact, the 125-year-old institution stands as a witness to the growth and evolution of the Kannada language in different periods of time. In 18th century, under the British rule, present-day Karnataka was split into six parts and each part came under the influence of some other language and culture. While the northwestern region was under the influence of Adil Shahis and Peshwas, the northeastern region was controlled by the Nizams. Various languages like Marathi, Urdu, Telugu and Tamil had begun casting a shadow on Kannada.<br /><br /></p>.<p> By 1818, Dharwad, Belagavi, Uttara Kannada and Vijayapura, which came <br />under Bombay Presidency, were considered as South Maharashtra and Kannada was slowly losing its status in this region.<br /><br />Language of the land<br />Kannadigas spread across various regions strongly felt the need for a separate state encompassing all Kannada speaking regions to protect the culture and language from the onslaught of other languages. In such a situation, scholars like Deputy Channabasappa and Alur Venkata Rao began initiating educational activities to encourage and nourish Kannada. Some of the British officers like W A Rusell supported the cause. They encouraged the use of Kannada in schools and offices.<br /><br />In the meantime, R H Deshpande, who holds the distinction of being the first <br />Kannadiga to complete post-graduation in the Dharwad region, tried to reinstate <br />Kannada in Dharwad. He realised the need for an organisation to promote the native language and worked systematically towards it. This led to the formation of the Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha in Dharwad on July 20, 1890. Patron R H Deshpande strengthened the Sangha and became the founder secretary. Shyamrao Kaikini, a noted lawyer from Murudeshwara, who also printed Kannada books in his printing press in Mumbai, became its first president. Venkatrangokatti became the vice-president. In 1905, a piece of land was obtained from the then deputy commissioner Gibbs. With the financial help from Chamaraja Wadiyar, the Maharaja of Mysuru, and Vantmuri Shirsangi Desai a building, named Chamaraja Mandira, was constructed. Even the public supported the growth of the Sangha. <br /><br />It brought out its first publication in 1892 and later published a literary and cultural journal called Vagabhushana. Since then the Sangha has published more than 100 books and hosted book review programmes. The Sangha also organised the first conference of Kannada writers in the State in the early 1900s.<br /><br />A library, Shantesh Vachanalaya, was set up in 1940. Now the library has over 20,000 books. Photos of Kannada literary personalities placed on the walls of R H Deshpande hall of the Sangha inspire literary enthusiasts. The Sangha also played a pivotal role in the establishment of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, All India Radio (Dharwad) and Karnataka University. It passed a resolution in 1917 urging the Government to bring all Kannada regions under one administrative unit. Later, in the 1980s, it played a key role in the Gokak Movement that demanded enforcement of Kannada in administration and education, and stressed on the implementation of Nanjundappa Committee Report on <br />regional imbalance.<br /><br />Continuing a legacy<br />Over time, the Sangha has also evolved into a hub of cultural and literary activities. It organises a variety of programmes in the field of literature, law, science, education, art, women and children issues and folklore. Every year, it conducts Nada Habba programme on Vijayadashami Day. This programme was initially launched by noted poets Da Ra Bendre and Betageri Krishna Sharma in 1926. In November every year, it hosts Kannada Habba, which comprises 15-day drama fest, awareness campaigns, seminars and other cultural and literary activities.<br /><br />“We conduct special programmes in schools and colleges to encourage students to read and write Kannada and create awareness about the necessity and significance of learning the language. Events are also organised to promote theatre. We have been conducting programmes in the border areas of the State to create conducive atmosphere for the growth of Kannada. Horanadu Kannadiga Meets are held to bind non-resident Kannadigas,” explains Shankar Halgatti, general secretary of the Sangha. The Sangha, which has successfully weaved Kannadigas into a single thread and continues to inspire young generation, has about 6,500 members.<br /><br />Veteran journalist Patil Puttappa, who has been serving as the president of the Sangha for about 50 years now says, “Kannada is one such language which has the capacity to flourish amidst challenges. The influence of other languages might be there, but it doesn’t mean the language will become extinct. Hence, learning Kannada is essential even today and the Sangha has been working for the cause.” <br /><br />After having served the Sangha for such a long time, Patil Puttappa points out that there is lack of commitment in scholars these days. However, the Sangha is making efforts to encourage more and more people to engage in social, cultural and educational activities that strengthen the language. The contributions of the Sangha has been acknowledged with awards like the Rajyotsava Award and the Karnataka Ekikarana Award.<br /><br />The situations and challenges might have changed now, but the Sangha <br />continues to play a pivotal role in promoting the language and culture of the land.</p>
