News and pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)

Mumbai, Oct 15: Karnataka Sangha Mumbai held a programme to recollect the memories of late Dr Shivarama Karanth at Karnataka Sangha, Samarasa hall on Saturday, Oct 11. Such programme is being held by Karnataka Sangha every year as part of the activities of their cultural foundation.

The programme was presided over by Karnataka Sangha president Dr P G Burde in the presence of Prathistana director Sadananda Suvarna and Dr Purushotham Bilimale, well known critic and Janapada scholar from New Delhi. He spoke on Shivarama Karanth and termed him as a wonder of the 20th century.

Dr Bilimale spoke saying that the government does not show enough respect to Karanth. The government of Karnataka has not shown as much respect as it shows to other scholars. However it is praiseworthy that he is being remembered in Mumbai. Yet he is not being remembered in national level. On the global level 'Bettada Jeeva', is a noble work by him. While he stood aside in 20th century, when the country was on the threshold of independence, some unique literary works came out from him.

Karanth wrote stories such as Chomana Dudi showing that the real problem in the country lies in division of land. In this era of SMS, Balveye Belaku story is ideal for the 21st century. Karanth has watched society and culture from close distance. Karanth is a writer who portrayed women characters in the way pro women activists see, he said.

Sadananda Gowda gave an introductory speech saying that the annual programme was held for five days in the initial years. It was gradually held for a day and now decreased to a few hours. It was possible to hold such programmes with the cooperation of like minded friends.

It is heartening to listen to the words of Karanth. His speech used to be exciting. Kannadigas in Mumbai who liked his Yaksharanga were proud of him. Even now the information on dramatics that we get in Mumbai is not available anywhere else. Karanth the intellectual should not be forgotten, he said.

Dr Burde spoke saying that Suvarna Prathistana has kept Karanth alive. A drawing competition will be held for children in a children's programme to strengthen Karanth's rapport with Mumbai, he said.

Dr Vyasarao Ninjooru of cultural prathistana, Gopal Trasi, S Daya, Dr Sunitha M Shetty, M M Kori, Dr S K Bhavani, Shamala Madhav, Dr M Raghava, Dr Girija Shastri, Dr Vishwanath Karnad, Chitrapu K M Kotian, P V Aithal, G T Acharya and others were present.

Karnataka Sangha former Vice president Dr Bharathkumar Polipu welcomed and compered the programme. Vice president Srinivasa Jokatte introduced the elite people. Honorary secretary Omdas Kannangar proposed vote of thanks.