Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (EP)
Mumbai, Apr 9: "I have come here to salute the people of Mumbai. While it is the duty of Kannada land to bow their head to the people of Mumbai, we should be grateful to the department of Kannada in Mumbai University. They have preserved Kannada culture like paddy. Mumbai citizens have sincere minds. Kannadigas who serve the Kannada mother land here are superior. When we compare the achievements of Kannadigas outside the state, the achievements of Kannadigas in the state are almost nothing. I feel scared to say that we do not do what we say", said senior litterateur and thinker Dr N Mogasale.
He was speaking after inaugurating the centenary celebrations of Ahobala Shanker held at J P Nayak hall of Kalina campus at Santacruz east on Saturday morning April 5. The celebrations of centenary, homage and release of novels were held under the aegis of Kannada department of Mumbai University, Suvarnagiri Prakashana, Mangalore and Narayanamritha Foundation, Mumbai and presided over by senior poet and litterateur V G Nayak.
"The life of Kannadigas among the differences in culture is pitiable. However their service in between their fast moving lives is commendable. They have realized that the Kannada literature will be hollow if they do not write. The non government organizations have helped to tie Kannada. The language will not live only because of Ph D degrees. So let us set aside the thoughts of destroying the language and try to develop the relationship with it, he said.
"I am not desirous of awards. Awards have lost their value. Villages and towns have become one due to globalization. In the circumstances let us have a clear vision of the poet. Kola and Nemas are not culture. The culture that has no relationship with the land will not be strong", he opined.
Dramatist Subraya Bhat gave a lecture on Ahobala Sahnkera Centenary and said that it is not enough if you have a vague idea on literature.
"Shanker was an intellectual who mastered literature and became a scholar. It is heartening to see his memories alive in the world of literature", he said.
Karnataka Sangha president Prakash Burde spoke on Shama Rao Vittal Kaikini, well known thinker and columnist Ravi R Acnhan spoke on Professor B M Kodakal and journalist writer Dayasagar Chowta remembered Dr K Sanjeeva Shetty.
V G Nayak in his presidential address said that no University in doing as much work as being done by the Kannada department of Mumbai University. It is praiseworthy to see the department encouraging talented people to attempt for M Phil and Ph D, make them write books, publish them and make them authors. It is an act of love and humanity. It is a matter of pride to see the Kannada department pull
the boat of Kannada on harmonious living, he said.
Dr Mogasale relased 'Sadananda Suvarna Baduku Sadhane' book written by Dr Seethalaxmi Karkikodi, V G Nayak released 'Dr Geevi Kulkarni - literary achievement' 43rd book written by V G Nayak, senior teacher Kadandale Parari Prabhakar Shetty released 'Kannadada Senani Dr Sanjiva Shetty' book written by Archana Ramesh Poojary and Dr K S Sharma released a collection of romantic poems 'Hucha - Huchi' by Dr K S Sharma. Dramatist Dr Bharath Kumar Polipu and senior writer Dr K S Sharma spoke on the books.
Suresh Shetty, Dr Seethalaxmi Karkikodi, Surekha Nayak, K Muniraj, M Phil awardee Reverend Jathan, Meenakshi Raju Sriyan and Kodu Bhoja Shetty were felicitated with gold medals.
Dr G N Upadya welcomed and gave a key note address saying that the department of Kannada is trying to conduct research on the roots of Kannada besides recording the achievements and adventures in it. It remembers Ahobala Shanker who has translated nearly 30 books from Bengali to Kannada. It is worth terming the city as the city of literature than the city of commerce. The programme is only to repay the debt, he said.
Dr Poornima S Shetty, comedian Shamala Prakash and Dr Jyothi Satish introduced the guests and conducted the programme. Veena Shashtri sang the welcome song. Niranjana C S proposed vote of thanks.