CM, Kerala CM open 'Gilivindu'

CM, Kerala CM open 'Gilivindu'

Rashtrakavi Govinda Pai was a secular in the real sense. He has written on Buddha, Krishna and also on Jesus Christ. This is the main reason why his works are remembered by people even after 54 years of his demise, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

He was speaking at the inauguration of ‘Gilivindu’ Rashtrakavi M Govinda Pai Cultural Centre, renovated residence of the poet laureate, Bhavanika Auditorium and unveiling of Pai’s bust in Manjeshwar on Thursday.

Pai was the first Rashtrakavi of Karnataka. He had good command over 23 languages. He had authored 120 research works. He lived for 80 years. Despite his mother tongue being Konkani, his significant contribution was to Kannada language, Siddaramaiah said and thanked the support of Kerala government in making the Gilivindu project successful.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the Gilivindu project is evident to the fact that great works can happen if governments of two states work together. This is also an answer to those who create controversies on languages.

He appreciated the cooperation of the Karnataka Government, Manjeshwara Govinda Pai Trust and the private sponsors to the project.

Speaking on the achievements of Govinda Pai, he said that Pai mesmerised literary lovers with his  works. Despite being a poet of high repertoire, Pai was also an avid researcher who immensely studied on the connection between Kannada and other languages. His works reflect communal harmony. It is noteworthy that Malayalam poet Vallattol Narayana Menon and M Govinda Pai were conferred with the Rastrakavi title in the same year, the Kerala CM said and noted that similarities could be found in both of their works.
MP and Rastrakavi Govinda Pai Memorial Trust Chairman Dr M Veerappa Moily said that the 75 year old dream of Govinda Pai fans in Karnataka and Kerala has come to reality with the inauguration of the renovated house of the poet laureate.

The governments of both states, along with the assistance by private establishments, have carried out the endeavour. Cultural and literary programmes will be conducted in the ‘Gilivindu’ and a 365 day schedule has drawn towards the same. The institutions should flourish as a landmark of Kannada culture, Moily added.

Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Gilivindu - Rasthrakavi Govinda Pai’s renovated residence and released the souvenir, Chief Minister Siddaramaih inaugurated Bhavanika Auditorium,Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree unveiled the bust of M Govinda Pai, Kerala Revenue Minister E Chandrashekharan inaugurated ‘Gilivindu Yakshagdegula’, a museum on Yakshagana and district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai inaugurated Parthisubba Yakshagana Vedike, the yakshagana stage. Manjeshwara MLA P B Abdul Razak presided over the programme.

Kasargod MLA N A Nellikunnu, Trikkaripuzha MLA M Rajagopalan, Uduma MLA N A Nellikunnu, Kasargod M P P Karunakaran, Kasargod District Collector Jeevan Babu K, Kasargod Zilla Panchayat Presdent A G C Bashir, Manjeshwara Block Panchayat President A K M Ashraf, Manjeshwara Gram Panchayat President Aziz Hazi, Manjeshwar former MLA and Trustee C H Kunjambu, Trustee Dr D K Chowta, Trustee K Thejomaya and ONGC CMD D K Saraf were present on the occasion.