DHARWAD
Despite Kannada being the official language of Karnataka, English has remained a language of communication in the state and this should change, said Ramakant Joshi, president of Dharwad District Kannada Sahitya Sammelana.
Deliverng the presidential address at the Sahitya Sammelana, he said the government should take a serious note of Kannada being gradually sidelined and take steps to encourage learning in Kannada medium.
Inaugurating the two-day sammelana being organised by Dharwad District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, he said no literature will be possible without logical thinking and literature cannot grow without proper organisation and teamwork, said writer Gurulinga Kapse.
Speaking after inaugurating the Sammelana, he said Kannada literature is in the forefront in the country and it is evident by the fact that eight Kannada writers have been honoured with Jnanpith award. “Literary meets should encourage new generation of writers and new literature,” he said.
In his keynote address, writer Siddalinga Pattanahsetti said there is an urgent need to publish new dictionaries containing words that are spoken in taluks and villages.
Pattanashetti said the pandemic and the lockdown provided ample opportunity for writers to produce new literature. “Cirtizens should read the Constitution of India as they read Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita,” he added. Ministers Halappa Achar, Shankar Patil Munenakopp also spoke.
Presiding over the inaugural session of the mliterary meet, legislative council chairman Basavaraj Horatti said Dharwad has been a launching pad for several pro-Kannada and pro-Karnataka agitations and the district has kept the rich heritage of Kannada alive.
Sammelana president Joshi’s wife Shridevi, Dharwad District Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Lingaraj Angadi, MLC S V Sankanur and others were present.
Earlier, the Sammelana president and his wife were brought to the venue in a colourful procession from KCC Bank Circle.
