Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, Mar 27: Literature in today’s rapidly advancing technological era must remain socially engaged and uphold human values that transcend caste, religion, and language, said Chidambara Baikampadi, president of the 28th Dakshina Kannada Kannada Sahitya Sammelana.
Addressing the gathering, held under the aegis of the Dakshina Kannada District Kannada Sahitya Parishat at Sparsha Kala Mandira (Panje Mangesharaya Hall, Rani Abbakka Stage) on B C Road, he stressed, “Without understanding history, it is impossible to comprehend the present. Only by learning from past literary traditions can we shape the future positively.”
He noted that Kannada literature, from Pampa and Ranna to modern writers, reflects society’s inequalities and conflicts.
On linguistic harmony, Baikampady said Dakshina Kannada is a multilingual region where Tulu, Kannada, Konkani, and Byari flourish side by side. “The Tulu community has deep respect for Kannada, and languages coexist naturally without conflict,” he said.
He expressed concern over technology and media, warning that increased mobile and social media usage is reducing reading habits. “If technology is not used constructively, it may foster hatred and intolerance in society,” he cautioned. On education, he said the current system is overly job-oriented and lacks value-based teaching, and the decline of Kannada-medium schools is alarming.
Urging organisers to design programmes that cultivate interest in literature rather than compel attendance, he added, “Transparency is necessary in awards and recognitions; the recommendation system should be avoided. The contributions of freedom fighters like Rani Abbakka must be duly recognised. Only when literature, technology, and coexistence progress together can society develop holistically. We must find unity amid linguistic diversity.”
The Sammelana was inaugurated by Dr Harikrishna Punaruru, former State President of KASAP, who lit the ceremonial lamp. Dr Prabhakar Shishil, immediate past Sammelana President, said, “Preserving human rights is the core purpose of literature, through which we can build a healthy society.”
Dinesh, director of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, conveyed Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade’s message, emphasising the responsibility to protect and nurture the local language, literature, and arts. “Modern technology threatens to overshadow traditional literary and cultural forms. We must cultivate deep awareness and respect for our language and culture for their survival,” he said.
Other dignitaries present included Dr M P Srinath (District Kannada Sahitya Parishat president), B Raghunath Somayaji (Sammelana Welcome Committee president), Pradeep Kumar Kalkur (immediate past president, KASAP), Shakuntala T Shetty (Karavali Vachakiyara Lekhakiyara Sangha), Rajesh G (assistant director, Kannada & Culture), Pius L Rodrigues, astrologer Chaitanya Kalyanattaya, Mamatha Gatti, and presidents of literary academies including Taranath Gatti Kapikad (Tulu Sahitya Academy), Umar U H (Byari Sahitya Academy), and Jokin Stany Alvaris (Konkani Sahitya Academy).
The programme also included flag-hoisting ceremonies, exhibition inaugurations, and book stall openings by dignitaries and former MLA Shakuntala Shetty and astrologer Chaitanya Kalyanattaya.
Baikampadi concluded, “In this era of technology, literature must retain its dynamism, grow socially, and guide society towards harmony and holistic development.”
The 28th Dakshina Kannada Kannada Sahitya Sammelana at Sparsha Kala Mandira, B C Road, Bantwal, underscored the need to balance technology, education, and literature while preserving linguistic and cultural heritage.