Dr. Channappa Katti highlights the vital role of translation in bringing Karnataka’s culture and knowledge to a global audience.
Chitradurga
Dr. Channappa Katti, President of the Kuvempu Bhasha Bharati Pradhikara, emphasized that translation is a powerful tool to bring regional knowledge to national and international platforms. He inaugurated a one-day seminar on “Translation and Its Relevance” held at the Government College of Arts (Autonomous), Chitradurga, organized jointly by the Kannada and Culture Department, Kuvempu Bhasha Bharati Pradhikara, and the postgraduate Kannada and English departments of the college.
Dr. Katti highlighted that through translation, the cultural heritage and intellectual wisdom of Karnataka can reach global audiences. He stressed the need for creative writers to also contribute as translators. While the state already has a pool of translators, he advocated for continuous growth in this sector. According to him, translation bridges diverse cultures, languages, beliefs, and ideologies, enabling shared understanding. Words gain wings through translation, and it is the translator who ensures their correct flight, allowing both original texts and translations to travel worldwide.
Speaking at the seminar, Dr. J. Kariyappa Malige, President of the Pradhikara, noted that translation occurs constantly, in reading, listening, and speaking, shaping perception. Dr. R. Tarini Shubhadaini highlighted the uniqueness of each language and the importance of retaining its essence during translation. Dr. K. Keshava Sharma elaborated that translation should be skillful, culturally informed, and enjoyable for the reader, rather than a mechanical process.
The seminar also included contributions from Dr. G.H. Nagavarma, Dr. B. Suresh, Prof. K. Manjunath, Dr. Ramalingappa T. Begur, Prof. S. Gangadharayya, Dr. K. Chittayya, and other translators and scholars, emphasizing translation’s critical role in knowledge dissemination and cultural exchange.
