Ronald D F D’Souza & Joe Andrade
for Daijiworld Media Network - Bahrain

Bahrain, May 5:  For the first time in the annals of Kannada history in Bahrain, a forum for Kannadiga writers was inaugurated at the Kannada Sangha, Bahrain.

In a crisp ceremony at the roof-top premises of the Sangha, Austin Santosh, president of Kannada Sangha, Bahrain, inaugurated the forum in typical hand-written style, as he put his signature on the dotted line both in Kannada and English on the inaugural 'book' page of the Guild, which in Kannada has been christened, 'Kannada Barahagarara Vedike.'

The forum is a brainchild of Leeladhar Baikampady, a key personality in Kannada circles, who has been toying with the idea of bringing together like-minded members on one platform to encourage writers from the Kannada belt. He made it a reality by gathering Kannadiga literary enthusiasts at 7 pm on May 1, thus forming the 'Kannada Writers' Guild' in Bahrain.

The meeting began with a hymn sung by Jayaprakash Edaneer followed by Leeladhar welcoming the gathering putting forth his ideas and inviting recommendations and suggestions from the floor.

Many Kannadiga enthusiasts spoke on the occasion and suggested that an ad-hoc committee be formed to lay down the constitutional guidelines for the forum, before a viable working committee is formed. Leeladhar was lauded for his bold initiative and it was in every speaker’s view that all encouragement must be given to the forum and literary writers be encouraged.

The forum is not limited to Kannada language, but also all other languages written in the Kannada script, including Konkani, Tulu, Kodagu and Beary disciplines, all of which would be accommodated in one platform.    

Another important suggestion was that the thoughts and works of these literary writers be also translated in the English language to give it the required universal touch. Furthermore, the literary works under the forum should be strictly on a positive note and must not under any circumstances be biased or hurt anyone's feelings. A suggestion was also made that the forum could be an independent body but affiliated to the established Kannada Sangha, Bahrain, which is well-known for its cultural activities, so that its existence and value could benefit and taken advantage of by the Kannada public in general.   

An ad-hoc committee of five members was appointed and it was resolved that these members along with Leeladhar in the chair, would lay the constitutional guidelines for the forum. A meeting would then be called for to elect the working committee members of the Guild.

Leeladhar thanked all the literary enthusiasts who attended the inaugural meeting and for all the encouragement and support he has received so far.