Poet Kanavi to inaugurate Dasara on October 1

Writer Channaveera Kanavi has been selected by the state government to inaugurate the 11-day Dasara festivities in Mysuru on October 1.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah spoke to Kanavi over phone on Saturday and requested him to do the honours. Kanavi has given his consent.

“The chief minister himself had called me. He requested me to inaugurate Dasara. I have agreed to do so. I consider it to be the biggest honour,” Kanavi told Deccan Herald.

The high-powered committee had shortlisted the names of writers Kanavi, S L Bhyrappa and Nissar Ahmed, freedom fighter H S Doreswamy, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Suttur seer Shivarathri Deshikendra Swami.

Born on June 28, 1928 at Hombal in Gadag district, Kanavi completed his high school and college education in Dharwad, and obtained MA from Karnatak University in 1952. He began his career as a secretary at Prasaranga in Karnatak University, Dharwad.

His important anthologies include Hombelaku, Akasha Butti, Madhuchandra, Mannina Meravanige, Nela Mugilu, Eradu Dada, Kaavyanusandhana, and Madhurachanna.

He received the Sahitya Akademi award in 1981 for Jeeva Dhwani, and awards including the Rajyostava, Pampa, Nadoja and Karnataka Kaviratna.

He had chaired the Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana at Hassan in 1996.