from Sujay Bendore for Daijiworld News Network - UAE

Sharjah, Feb 28: A seminar on a book called 'Kannada Nadu Nudi Rakshane Yake Mattu Hege' (Protecting Kannada Land and Language - Why and How?) was held here on February 24 in the Mysore Palace Hotel. The book contains fifteen articles - including a few award-winning ones - by prominent Kannada writers. It has been edited by Prakash Rao Payyar and published by Dhwani Prakashana, UAE. It was release in Dubai a few months ago.

The function had been arranged with a view to reviewing the book. Well-known Konkani writer-poet Melvyn Rodrigues presided over, while senior Kannada journalist and former principal from Kasaragod K T Shridhar was the chief guest.

Journalists Gopinath Rao and Ishwar M Ail spoke about the book with their opinions and suggestions. Rajani Bhat read out the article by Dr Prabhakar Shishila which stood first in the competition.

Shridhar, in his address, said that the Kannadigas could help develop and protect Kannada language and culture, beginning at home, which was not a difficult task. That was the way for the Kannadigas to save Kannada 'Nadu' and 'Nudi', he added. He further said that the merger of Kasaragod with Karnataka had not been possible only because of lack of powerful political leaders. The issue could have been solved during Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's time itself. But the issue now seemed to be difficult in the absence of powerful politicians, he felt. The Kannada film industry had not been weakened, contrary to the opinions expressed by some writers in the book. On the other hand, the industry was progressing, but the main drawback was lack of financial support, he concluded.

Participating in the debate, Ganesh Rao expressed the importance of the book and suggested that it should reach each and every politician in Karnataka, who, after reading it, would respond favourably by uplifting Kannada and Karnataka culture in the state. Prabhakar Ambalathere and Iranna Moolimane also expressed their views.

In his presidential address, Melvyn Rodrigues expressed high appreciation for the literary activities which Dhwani had been organizing in the past years. Prakash Rao Payyar welcomed the guests. Roshan Arthur Pereira and Sudhakar Tumbe introduced the guests. S S Rao, Padmaraj Yekkar and Ganesh Kulal offered bouquets to the guests and the speakers.

The function began with a prayer by Basavaraj and concluded with a vote of thanks by Timmappa Poojary.