A Collection of Rare Newspapers Awaiting Recognition - Shankar Kunchinadka

  •   Mon, Jun 01 2009
  •   by Mounesh Vishwakarma

November 14, 2008
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (RD/CN)
 
Bantwal: ‘Shanti Sainika’, ‘Sarati’, ‘Halliyinda Dilli’, ‘Madivala’, ‘Mother Vani’, ‘Godhooli’, ‘Kannada Koogu’, ‘Minuguva Chukki’, ‘Bayya Mallige’, ‘Danaranga’—these are not titles of old Kannada movies; they are some of the newspapers, bulletins, and journals, that form part of a vast collection of rare old newspapers, carefully preserved by Shankar Kunchinadka .
 
You might wonder if these newspapers really existed. But, a peek into the collection of over 3,000 newspapers that Shankar has will put to rest all doubts. Shankar, son of Krishna and Laxmi Bhat, residing at Katukukke, near Perla in Kasargod district of Kerala, began collecting old newspapers as a hobby early on.  

He would go to great lengths to secure a copy of any new publication. As a result, over the years, Shankar has amassed a rich collection of newspapers that includes a rare copy of ‘Mangaluru Samachara’, the first Kannada fortnightly edited and published by German priest Fr Herman J Monglin in 1843. His collection includes publications on literature, sports, arts, education, health, critic and farming, children’s literature, Kannada journals published from Western countries, World War I newspapers, Kannada newspapers published from princely states as well as Tulu, Konkani and Kodava, journals printed in Kannada script, which are a rare find. 

Several of the Kannada newspapers were published over the past four or five years while many of them have wound up operations, opines Shankar.  He has been nurturing this hobby for four decades now, juggling it with his career as a teacher. His hobby continues to this day—more than a year after retirement.

Shanker is also into philately and numismatics, besides being an excellent artist. He has also been actively involved with voluntary singing for ‘Samanvaya Samskritika Pratisthan’, founded by Murti Deraje, for the promotion of Yakshagana. 
 
Shankar’s collection of newspapers has been displayed in exhibitions held across the state including Virajpet, Puttur, and Mangalore. Hundreds of journalism students have benefited from his treasure trove. However, he has the arduous task of conserving the old copies in his collection. Although he has stacked them in an orderly manner, covered with plastic sheets in two large cupboards, they are subject to termite attack and dampness. 
 
Shankar wants to increase the volume of newspapers as it will benefit future generations.  He wants anyone with a rare newspaper to contact him. Voluntary and social welfare organizations, as well as the state administration, must recognize Shankar’s hobby, and house them for posterity.
by Mounesh Vishwakarma
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Comment on this article

  • P.Ramachandra, Mangalore / Ras Laffan, Qatar

    Sat, Jan 17 2009

    Through this forum, I wish to express my sincere thanks to Mr. Shankar Prasad Kunchinadka , Retired Teacher , Collector of rare Kannada Newspapers of yesteryears residing at Katukukke, near Perla in Kasargod district of Kerala for bestowing me with copy of edition dated Saturday, 11 January 1964 of Kannada Daily Newspaper “Vaarthaloka” published from 1963 to 1965 from Mangalore by my father Late Padyana Gopalakrishna (Pa.Go).His pursuit for locating this 45 year old Kannada Newspaper finally culminated at Sagar Taluk while unearthing the archives of fellow collector of rare Kannada Newspapers Mr.Mohan Hegde ,Bandagadde. I am grateful to Mr.Mohan Hedge for preserving the original paper of my father’s publication of the time when I was a kid of 2 years & 4 months old. Thanks to Daijiworld- Portal linking West Coast of India to the world and to the archives of yesteryears.

  • Varan , Bagaluru

    Tue, Nov 18 2008

    This is indeed a great  achievement.

  • GANARAJ PAVALKODI, MANGALORE

    Tue, Nov 18 2008

    Waht a collection!!!!  One should have  patience, interest and commitment to achieve the same.

  • Harisubrahmanya P V, Puchhappady, Sullia

    Mon, Nov 17 2008

    Excellent collections, great work done by Mr. Shankar Prasad. I am sure it will help for future generation. Keep it up your fantastic work Sir I wish you all the best. The Electronic media should i identify this wonderful work done by Mr. Shankar. 

  • Kishor P K, Padyana

    Mon, Nov 17 2008

    Its a sincere effort put by Mr. Shankar. Its really interesting and noticeable in many aspects.Many thanks to the media who supported this.

  • Subrahmanya Bhat, Kasaragod

    Sat, Nov 15 2008

    Really nice to learn about such good idea and the efforts. I would like to convey my best wishes to Mr. Shankar Kanchinadka in his mission and also thank DAIJIWORLD for publishing this article.

  • Kadengodlu Shankra Bhat, Peruvai vil., Bantwal Tq./Kazakhstan

    Sat, Nov 15 2008

    It is really a great achievement by Mr. Shankar Kunchinadka thanks to Mr.Mounseh Vishwakarma of Daijiworld Media Network Bantwal. I wish that his collections are copied laminated by Kannada culture dept/Sahitya parishat & atleast the copies dispalyed in prominent places of all Taluka HQ's of atleast DK/Kannada & also in B'lore. I too agree that although he has stacked them in an orderly manner, covered with plastic sheets in two large cupboards, they are subject to termite attack and dampness due to humid weather of our coastal districts. Hope he would be awarded by atleast Kannada Sahitya Parishat for his efforts of preserving them all these years. Thanks to Mr.Padyana Ramachandra for informing us about this article in daijiworld.com

  • Janardhan Rai Paddambailu, Katukukke-Abu Dhabi-uae

    Sat, Nov 15 2008

    You have done a wonderful job Mr.Shankar Prasad....well done & go ahead...all the very best.

  • Girish, Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 15 2008

    Nice to note the achievements of Mr.Shankar Kunchinadka through www.daijiworld.com. Thanks for publishing this significant news.

  • P.Ramachandra, Mangalore / Ras Laffan , Qatar

    Fri, Nov 14 2008

    Thanks to Daijiworld- Portal linking West Coast of India to the world for bringing to centre stage the achievements of Archivist Shankar Kunchinadka through Mr.Mounseh Vishwakarma of Daijiworld Media Network Bantwal. I wish to have a glance of Kannada Daily Newspaper by name “Vaarthaloka” published from 1963 to 1965 from Mangalore by my father Late Padyana Gopalakrishna (PaGo) in case if it is in the archives of Mr. Shankar Kunchinadka. Communication in this regard can be forwarded to me by on email address ramachandrap1983@yahoo.com


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