Enarada, Mysore, July 2, 2013:
The third taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelana got off to a colourful start at the Gram Panchayat community hall in Yelwal today.
The specially erected stage for the program was named after Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.
The Sammelana, held under the aegis of Mysore Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat, was formally inaugurated by the Reception Committee President and Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda.
G.T. Devegowda inaugurated it by hoisting the national flag at the Yelwal government school premises, followed by the hoisting of Naada Dhwaja by Yelwal Gram Panchayat President Byregowda. The Parishat’s flag was hoisted by Taluk Sahitya Parishat President Shivamurthy Kaanya.
Sammelana Chairman B. Shamsundar and Shivamurthy Kaanya were taken in a colourful procession atop an open vehicle bedecked with flowers and buntings to the venue.
The colourful procession, including hundreds of school children, members of women’s Self Help Groups and Anganawadi workers accompanied by folk art teams and cultural troupes, was taken out from the government school premises to the venue, passing through Mysore-Hunsur Main Road, old Canara Bank road, Aloka road and other streets.
Shamsundar and G.T. Devegowda formally launched the event by planting a sapling near the venue.
In his welcome address, Mr Gowda said that there were talented people in villages who can save Kannada language and culture. Such Sammelanas should not be restricted only to urban and district headquarters, he added.
Mysore University Jainology Department Head Dr. Padma Shekhar, in her inaugural address, said that hitherto Kannada literature was restricted only among the elite populace. But now, although it seems that literature is accessible to everyone, it is not so in practice due to political interventions.
By nominating Shamsundar as the Chairman of this Sammelana, the organisers have brought to fore a hidden talent, she said and called upon the politicians to identify and encourage such talents in future also.
Shamsundar, in his presidential address, said that Kannada Sahitya Sammelana should not be limited only to discussing literary aspects and instead should also discuss ways of finding lasting solutions to the burning problems of the State.
He pointed out that science and humanity subjects can also be taught in Kannada and called upon the Universities of the State to come up with encyclopedias in Kannada which can be reached to the people.
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mysore Kendra Chairman Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy presided. Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies Director Dr. A. Rangaswamy released a souvenir. Senior writer G.S. Bhatta released a book brought out to mark the occasion while theatre activist Janardhan (Janni) inaugurated the cultural program.
