Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Aug 31: The spot where the late Dr Shivaram Karanth gave shape to his dreams and ideas have now turned into Balavana, a centre for literary and art lovers. At the same time, the Shivaram Karanth study chair currently functioning in Mangalore University is being shifted to the Balavana here. Unanimous opinion emerged at the Balavana development committee meeting held in the presence of the district in-charge minister.

Dr Shivaram Karanth study chair is one among the 19 chairs currently existing in Mangalore University. Most of the chairs in the university are quite rich, with funds touching over a crore rupees. But in the case of Dr Shivaram Karanth study chair, the basic fund stands at seven lac rupees. Out of bank interest on this money, only small programmes can be organized. If this chair is shifted to Balavana, it will avoid dependence on income from the study chair for each and every programme resulting to Dr Karanth.

Now, programmes can be organized from either the grant from the state government or from Balavana Development Trust, the committee feels. Balavana is equipped with a spacious and well-furnished seminar hall, dance school, open-air theatre, library, swimming pool, children's park, and Karanth's residence. The government has conducted development works running into crores of rupees here. Therefore, if the chair is shifted from the university to Balavana, and if programmes on Dr Karanth are organized by a centralised system, it becomes more meaningful, is the opinion that emerged at the meeting of the committee.

Prima facie, shifting of the chair to here is impossible but at the government level, this is feasible. Under the direction of the state government, the chair can be taken over by the Kannada and culture department and then shifted to Balavana. If there is any technical problem, the state can release a particular sum as grant and open a new study chair in the name of Dr Karanth at the Balavana.

Dr Sundar Kenaje, an officer on special duty at Balavana, said that discussions were held at the Balavana development committee meeting held with the participation of the district in-charge minister. He said that regarding the proposal of shifting of the study chair from the university or creating a new study chair, the committee will make a decision in the coming days.