Tributes to writers at Rajyotsava celebrations

Rotary International District 3190 and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan hosted ‘Sambbhrama-3’ recently at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Malleswaram.
It marks the third edition of Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations.

Poet and lyricist Padmashri Doddarange Gowda, Chiranjeev Singh, Former Ambassador of India in Paris to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Bhargavi Narayan, film actress and theatre artist were among the dignitaries present at the event.

The event also paid tributes to many renowned writers like Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, Narayana Kasturi, Kuvempu and D R Bendre.

Chiranjeev Singh, who hails from Punjab, addressed the audience and shared his love towards Kannada.

“Bendre is my favourite poet. His works are an inspiration to many. His ‘Ghama Ghama Ghamaadistaava’ is one of my favourites,” he said.

While Bhargavi Narayan spoke about the neglect Bengalureans show towards Kannada, “‘Kannad Gotilla’ is not something to take pride in. Most people converse with me in English to show off their language skills. English is a just a mere language, there is no need to be proud about it,” she said.

“Embracing different languages is not wrong, but one should never forget one’s roots,” she remarked.

Suresh Hari, District Governor, Rotary International District 3190, observed that the objective of the ‘Sambhrama’ is to provide a platform for the art, culture and traditions of Karnataka.

The event also featured performances by Kannada folk artists, and dances such as ‘Sugama Sangeetha’ by Ganesh Desai and his team, ‘Soma Kunitha’, ‘Dolu Kunitha’, bharathanatyam recital, ‘Kolata Kunitha’.