Pics: Spoorthy Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (NM/CN)
Mangalore, Nov 18: On the special occasion of ‘Kanaka Jayanthi’, an inter-college singing competition ‘Kanaka Keerthane’, was organized by Kanakadasa Research Centre, Mangalore University (MU), at Town Hall on Friday November 17. The singing programme included recital of devotional songs of Kanakadasa. It was held in association with National Service Project (MU), District Sahithya Parishat, DK, Badriya PU College, and Rosario PU College, Mangalore.
Kalegowda Nagawara, writer, thinker, and professor inaugurated the event. T C Shivashankara Murthy, vice chancellor (MU), presided over the inaugural function. Dr N S Chennappa Gowda, deputy commissioner (DC), was the chief guest. The reprinted edition of Pavanje Gururao’s ‘Kanakadasara Keerthane’ was released on this occasion.
Kalegowda explained about the content of Kanakadasa’s writing. His works were based on religion, language, class, creed, and sex discrimination which existed even in his time.
“Kanakadasa study center must help not only to study life but also earn lessons. Dakshina Kannada district has produced many great people like Santhosh Hegde and Kamal Devi Chattopadyaya. The study of culture and literature must give wisdom at all times,” he said.
Picking the works of Kanakadas like ‘Nara Charithre’ and ‘Nava Dhanya’, Dr Gowda said that disharmony among religions and humanity at large were the only concepts Kanakadasa wanted to eradicate through his work. He wished that the same vision be carried forth by the Kanakdasa research center.
Murthy congratulated the lecturers for making efforts to preserve the works of Kanakadasa. “It is important to protect the works of great people and teach it to the next generation. In his works, he stressed social justice and freedom. The university plans to hold national and international conferences on Kanakadasa,” he added.
N Ismail, principal, Badriya College, and Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, president, district Sahitya Parishat shared the dais. B Shivaram Shetty was the co-ordinator and Radhika compered the programme.