Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Aug 3: Veteran writer Dr U R Anantamurty called upon the people to stop their opposition to the installation of the statue of celebrated Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar in the city and asked them to welcome this move. He was speaking at the birth centenary programme of great writer, the late Prof V K Gokak, organized by Karnataka Sahitya Academy on Sunday August 2, at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan here.
"There are many, who came from other origins but got involved with Kannada literature and contributed immensely to Kannada. Opposing the installation of the idol of this great Tamil poet is not justifiable. I have already written to the Chief Minister, extending my support to this project. Even though I do not support the BJP as a party, on this issue, I have full support," he declared. He also expressed himself in favour of the stand taken by the primary education minister, that primary education must be imparted in Kannada medium.
"V K Gokak was one among a few writers, who kept up their own stature and standard in mind, before creating works. While placing before the readers certain beliefs he had, Gokak used to also put up his justification for the same. He had lot of empathy for the women and was strongly opposed to certain beliefs and systems that caused pain to the weaker sex," Anantamurty explained.
In his inaugural speech, Rashtrakavi Dr G S Shivarudrappa said that the concept of the Vishwamanava (one world, one community)' coined by litterateur Kuvempu, had actually been introduced by V K Gokak before him. He noted that Gokak had strongly advocated Kannada as the medium of instruction till the tenth standard. He hailed Gokak for the excellent hold he had over both Kannada and English languages.
On this occasion, a translated work, 'the agony and glory' and a musical CD based on Gokak's literature, were released.
Rajya Sabha member M Rama Jois, translator Yashodhara Bhat, veteran writer prof L S Sheshagiri Rao, Kannada and culture department director Manu Baligar, Karntaka Sahitya Academy president Prof M H Krishnaiah, Anil Gokak etc., were present.