Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NR/MB)

Udupi Sep 30: A function to commemorate the achievements of renowned writers like the late Kota Shivaram Karanth, late Honnayya Shetty and late Doddanna Shetty was organized by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy here on Saturday, September 29.

Speaking after the inaugural ceremony, P Sripati Tantri stated that the Gyan Pith Award winner late Kota Shivaram Karnath had transcended the boundaries of elitism.

According to Tantri, Shivaram Karanth was a unique personality, with a yearning to have a deep knowledge on all subjects. Karanth was a great researcher, whose works should not be limited to Kannada literature nor should he be branded a Kannada litterateur alone as he had an enduring interest in several subjects. Karanth had himself objected to his name being confined to Kannada, Tantri declared.

Elaborating on the subject and lauding the achievements of Karanth, he elucidated that Karanth’s works such as “Chomana Dudi” and “Mookajjiya Kanasugalu” were among his best and urged that Karanth’s works be made as compulsory subject for students of Sociology.

According to Tantri the characters in Karanth’s works were simple and contemporary. If Tolstoy’s works reflected the rural life of Russia, and Munshi Premchand’s works portrayed the rural life of northern India, Shivaram Karanth’s works graphically described the rural life of the coastal Karnataka, prof Tantri added.
 
It is difficult to find a litterateur with as varied interests as Karanth either in Karnataka or in the country. People, especially students, should emulate his ideals, Prof Tantri advised.

The gathering was welcomed by Academy member Gananath Yekkar. B N Harish Boloor spoke on the life and achievements of late Honnayya Shetty and Catherine Rodrigues spoke of late Kemthur Doddanna Shetty.

M K Sitaram Kulal, president of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, presided over the function. Principal in-charge of Government First Grade College Mahesh Rao was also present on the occasion.