Nationalise school education: Kambara

Jnanpith award-winning poet-playwright Chandra-shekhara Kambara on Friday strongly advocated imparting education in the mother tongue. “You can learn English as a language. I feel Kannada should be the medium of instruction. After 10th Standard, you can have a choice”, he contended. Mr Kambara argued that the State should not privatise education till 10th standard. “Let primary and high school education be state-sponsored till 10th standard to wipe out the disparity between children from upper class and downtrodden”, he said.

The playwright downplayed the Karnataka-Maharashtra border issue maintaining that one should not attach much importance to the ‘unwanted dispute’ created by some people from across the border. Mr Kambara, who hails from Belgaum district, said, “I have many friends, including several writers, in Maharashtra who are least bothered about this issue. For some politicians, this issue should be kept alive in the form of a dispute so that they can thrive. If there is no issue, these people will find it hard for their survival”, he said.

Full report here Deccan Chronicle 

Kambar bats for Kannada in schools

Jnanpith award winner Chandrashekhara Kambar on Friday suggested that all schools having classes from the lower kindergarten (LKG) to Standard 10 must be run by the government and that the medium of instruction up to class 10 must be in Kannada.

Kambar, noting that there is a wide divide between students who pass out of private, English medium schools and those passing out of government-run, Kannada-medium schools said: “This can be removed only when the government runs all the primary and high schools. They can allow any private management to run educational institutions from the PU level.”

His justification for having Kannada as the medium of instruction was that only mother tongue can provide an experience, which is an integral part of learning and learning through any other language only gives people information, which makes them less competent.

“I am not saying that one should not learn English. All I am saying is that learn even English through Kannada, because it is essential to have an experience when one is learning and being merely suffocated by information will not take us far. Even learn Japanese if you feel it is necessary but don’t compromise on having Kannada as the medium in primary and high school,” Kambar  explained.

Full report here Deccan Herald

Speaking from Shivapura

Poet, playwright and novelist, recipient of the 2010 Jnanapith Award Chandrashekara Kambaraa, interrogates modernity with myths, folk narratives and native theatrical forms

When Chandrashekara Kambaraa wrote his long narrative poem “Helatena Kela” (Listen, I will Tell you)in the early 1960s, he introduced, knowingly or unknowingly, some of the recurring themes which he would often return to in his later works. The poem which sings in praise of the traditional past and laments over the loss of innocence due to the onslaught of the modern forces clearly set the tone of his works that followed. Themes of tradition and modernity, crises of feudalism, native identities, colonialism, march of history, sex, loss of faith, the death of God and several related themes explored later in his plays, novels and poetry had found metaphorical expression in the narrative poem. “Helatena Kela” which could well be the central metaphor created by Kambara is located in Shivapura, an imaginary utopian village which continues to be a character, a metaphor and the locale in most of his works.

Kambara who has made Kannadigas proud by bringing the eighth Jnanapith award for Kannada is arguably among the best of the three greatest modern Kannada poets (the other two being D.R. Bendre and Gopalakrishna Adiga) and has trodden his own path deviating from both the stalwarts. His creative engagement with myths, folk narratives and native theatrical forms has helped him develop a distinct style and world view and makes him stand apart from his predecessors as well as his contemporaries. Though Kambara began as a Navya writer, he seems to have realised too soon that the Navya mode did not suit his sensibility. So he set out exploring the collective psyche of the community through native myths which were almost unexplored till then in modern Kannada literature. The non-Vaidika mythical world not only provided him the world view but also the rich texture, lyricism and the raw energy of the rural dialects. Though Kambara kept on journeying to the past like a ‘modern man in search of a soul', to borrow an insight from Carl Jung, the journey seldom refrained him from negotiating contemporary themes. In his poems on Mao Tse Tung or plays like “Jaisidanaika”, or “Harakeya Kuri” he has treated themes related to contemporary politics with a progressive outlook, albeit being naive at times.

Full report here Hindu

Kannada writer kicks up Jnanpith storm

Karnataka is no stranger to controversy when it comes to awards. Be it the film awards or the Rajyotsava awards, controversy has always shadowed the announcement of awards in the state.

So it doesn’t come as a surprise that a controversy has erupted again, this time over Dr Chandrashekar Kambar being honoured with the prestigious Jnanpith award.

On Tuesday, amidst the euphoria, noted Kannada writer and journalist Patil Puttappa struck a jarring note in the Kannada literary world when he said Kambar did not deserve the award, which, in Puttapa’s view, should have gone to the “most deserving novelist SL Bhyrappa”.

Puttappa sees intense lobbying as the reason for Bhyrappa losing out to less deserving litterateurs like Kambar.

Full report here DNA

Getting nuances

Though it takes a lifetime to really understand another culture; its literature, however, provides the best glimpse into it. “Sirigannada”, an anthology of contemporary Kannada writings — translated into English and edited by Vivek Shanbhag — takes the reader on a journey through Karnataka's rich and varied history and culture.

A discussion on “Sirigannada”, interspersed with readings of excerpts, was held last week at the British Library. Organised by TFA (Toto Funds the Arts), the conversation between Vivek Shanbhag and theatre person Prakash Belawadi gave much food for thought. The selection of stories and poetry wasn't a “conscious process” for Shanbhag. He, however, ensured that the works he chose were of different styles and narratives.

Poet and theatre personality, Deepika Arwind, Mounesh Badiger, and Kannada theatre personality H.S. Shiva Prakash read out excerpts from the book. Shiva Prakash's eloquent rendition of some of the pieces impressed. Jayant Kaikini's “Tick-Tock Buddy”, Sandhya Devi's “Love of Death”, Kum. Veerabhadrappa's “The Handshake Episode”, D.R. Nagaraj's “The Kannada-English Combat”, Pratibha Nandakumar's poem “The Saviour” were some of the pieces that were read out.

Full report here Hindu

Home and the world

Internationally acclaimed playwright Girish Karnad's autobiography Adaadata Ayushya stands tall in the Kannada literary world. The writer tells Deepa Ganesh that autobiographies are of little worth if they do not seek to speak the truth

“Nenapugalannu nevarisuvudu” is a beautiful, lyrical phrase meaning “caressing memories”; the dreaminess of this utterance can douse the past in a romantic haze. But for Girish Karnad this poetic phrase is used as a disclaimer in his recently-released autobiography “Adaadata Ayushya.” One of the most definitive works of Kannada literature, “Adaadata Ayushya” is not merely a chronicle of events; rather it is a facing up to one's self. This unusual piece of literature sparkles with the bluntness of truth.

“If Dr. Madhumalathi Gune had turned up at the hospital the day when my mother went for an abortion, I wouldn't have existed” Karnad writes in the very first pages, offering the book to the memory of the doctor. The moment of shock and how it quietly altered one's notion of life, in a way, sets the tone for how the “self” is unravelled in the rest of the narrative.

Full report here Hindu

Probing the image of Kannada cinema

Regional cinema in India has almost always found its own language, its own discourse and a target audience distinct from the Hindi film-watchers. In fact, its very ethos takes you closer to Bharat, something that Hindi cinema, of late, has been studiously avoiding. While Hindi film directors, when they are not fuelling NRI fantasies, are increasingly catering to urban audiences, their regional counterparts are still relatively rooted to the soil. Often drawing from the little traditions of the place and adding a dash of the legend, regional cinema has carved out a distinct image for itself, crafted as much out of political segmentation as cultural affinity.

Heterogeneity
It is not that regional cinema in India is a monolith. It has its own distinct shades and layers which lend to it certain heterogeneity. For instance, Tamil cinema has appealed to audiences beyond Tamil Nadu with cine-goers in Japan, Malaysia and Europe too craving to see the latest from Rajnikanth. On the other hand, films from States like Orissa, Assam, and even Karnataka are about their respective States and their people.

In Bipolar Identity, M.K. Raghavendra, a film critic of no mean stature, attempts to link cinema with political discourse, even myths and legends. For the most part, he succeeds. His approach is academic, his understanding worthy of somebody who is rooted to the soil. What sets him apart from the new breed of film writers is that he has stayed behind the scenes and remained honest to his craft, quietly observing the trends in cinema of India, as opposed to Indian cinema, as he notes in the introduction.

Full report here Hindu

Girish Karnad's story, in his own words

The autobiography of Kannada playwright and Jnanpith Award winner Girish Karnad was released here on Sunday by Prajavani editor K.N. Shanth Kumar.

Titled Aadaadtha Ayushya (life moves on while playing), the book is Mr. Karnad's memoirs of the first half of his life. Its title has been inspired by Da.Ra. Bendre's famous lines, a release has said.

The memoirs run into 350 pages, and are divided into 11 chapters named after places where Mr. Karnad spent his life.

On the occasion, the playwright read out a section about his early life in the United Kingdom as a student, and his take on pub culture in Britain. Stating that the number of pubs in Britain was on a decline, he said: “A Britain without pubs is not Britain at all for me.”

Recalling his association with the publishers, Mr. Karnad said: “Manohara Grantha Mala published my first book in 1961 and 50 years later, my autobiography has been published by them.”

Antarangada Mrudanga, a compilation of essays by Narahalli Balasubramanya; Hole Makkalu, a novel by Bidarahalli Narasimhamurthy; and Na Badukalikke Ollepa, a collection of short plays with only two characters penned by Lohit Naiker; were also released by Mr. Kumar.

Full report here Hindu

'Moegling's contribution to Kannada literature is immense'

While most Christian missionaries came to India with the idea of spreading their religion and bringing natives into their fold, Rev Dr Herman Moegling, a German missionary, was more a soldier of Kannada than a missionary. While his contribution to Kannada is well documented, more can be learnt about contemporary Karnataka in the 18th century by going through his travelogues, said B A Viveka Rai, former VC, Kannada University.

Inaugurating a two-day seminar, Rev Dr Herman Moegling Innurara Nennapu organized by Karnataka Theological Research Institute, Karnataka Sahitya Academy and Kittel Foundation here on Thursday, Rai said: "Moegling did not fully fit the bill of a missionary and the primary role of religious work attributed to them. His role and contribution to society goes beyond the loose framework of work normally attributed to missionaries of those days," he said.

A fraction of Moegling's life and achievements have actually come to light and more can be learnt by undertaking further study of his dairies and correspondence available both in India and Germany, he said. While Mangalore and its surrounding areas was primary work area of Moegling, his travels to places such as Hubli-Dharwad and Dharmasthala and photographs of the places taken will shed more light on these places as they existed then, he said.

FUll report here Times of India 

TN holds first Kannada Sahitya Parishat sammelan

Saturday marked a red-letter day for Kannada Sahitya Parishat when its president R K Nallur Prasad inaugurated the first ever Kannada Sahitya Sammelan organized by Tamil Nadu unit of the parishat at T Nagar in Chennai. The junior swamiji of Udupi Pejavar mutt, Sri Vishwaprasanna Thirtha, delivered benedictions on this occasion, a press release from Dakshina Kannada unit of the parishat here states.

The honour of chairing this meet went to Srikrishna Bhat Arthikaje, retired head of department of Kannada, Madras University. Bhat originally hails from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district. Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, president of DK district unit of the Parishat released the sammelan souvenir. A Yakshagana talamaddale -- Sri Rama Darshana -- sponsored by Kalkura Foundation was staged as part of the cultural programmes.

Full report here Times of India

Website on writers launched

Kannada Sahitya Academy has launched, a website to disseminate information about Kannada literature and littirateurs. Academy chairman M H Krishnaiah told reporters here on Thursday that the website will also have information on Jnanpith awardees and their works.

He said arrangements are being made to videograph the recitation of poems by poets at their homes so they can be on the website. "So far, the recording of 65 poets has been completed. These poems will be sung by children. KSA will organize special programmes to celebrate the birth centenary of writers S S Malawad, G P Rajaratnam, V K Gokak, Raobahaddur and Joladrashi Doddanagouda," he added.

Full report here Times of India 

Dreaming in Kannada

t’s a story that speaks of a young boy whose humble background could have spelt an average life for him. But instead, he decided to rewrite his destiny. And then he wrote a book called Simply Fly. Captain Gopinath has come a long way since his days of farming, business ventures and of course changing the course of Indian Aviation. His story in Simply Fly, (released in Feb 2010), was an inspiration to people irrespective of societal status. Now with the Kannada version, Baana Yana, of the book on the anvil, Captain Gopinath speaks to Bangalore Mirror on grabbing opportunities in life and viewing life with renewed enthusiasm each day. Excerpts from the interview:

Why did you decide to have the book translated into Kannada?
I received numerous offers to translate the book into Kannada. Many people, who read it, felt that it was a story that needed to be told. It is a story that presents an India with possibilities. It talks of following dreams and not slipping into the comfort of cynicism. If I, a person who studied in Kannada medium and wore slippers to school could achieve what I had done, the possibilities for others are infinite. More people need to hear that it’s all about having enthusiasm for life and doors will definitely open for you.

Have you added or deleted anything for the Kannada audience?
The original English manuscript was much larger than what was finally published. Of course, in essence nothing was left out. The original English manuscript was used for the translation and therefore it will have essentially a bit more.

Full report here Bangalore Mirror

"Dalit writings an integral part of Indian literary tradition"

Dalit literature, whether oral or written, has been an integral and enlivening part of Indian literary traditions for centuries, eminent writer and academic U. R. Ananthamurthy has said.

For the depressed classes like tribals and those destined to live in the lower rungs of social hierarchy literature had always been a means to achieve “self-respect, the Jnanpith Award winner said here on Sunday.

He was delivering a lecture on the “Contributions of Dalits to Indian literature”, organised by Dr. K. Ayyappa Panicker Foundation, in honour of the late Malayalam poet and scholar.

Quoting from Kannada and other Indian languages, Prof. Ananthamurthy said while non-Dalits could write about the Dalit situation they could not claim to represent the Dalits.

There had been several examples of non-Dalits writing on Dalit situation, like the famous Kannada novel “Chomana Dudi” by Shivaram Karanth. But there was a kind of arrogance when non—Dalits claimed to represent Dalits, he noted.

Full report here Hindu

Kannada litterateur's books set for release

The metro’s well known Kannada litterateur Ravi Ra Anchan’s two books – Nelada Dani and Viveka Chintane will be released in Mumbai on Saturday, September 18.

Chandrashekar Palettady, editor of metro published Karnataka Malla, Kannada daily will release the books at a function scheduled to be held at Kannada Bhavan High School and Junior College, Fort.

A T Shetty, chairman of Kannada Bhavan Education Society will preside and litterateur Sa Daya and columnist Gopal Trasi will deliver the foreword on the books.

full report here Daijiworld

Rendering path-breaking research into Kannada

Prof S N Balagangadhara's book 'Smriti, Vismriti: Bhaarateeya Samskruti' looks at the trends in social sciences within India and elsewhere. The Kannada translation of the book was recently released.

On Sunday August 29th , the Kannada translation of Prof. S N Balagangadhara's book, "The Heathen in his Blindness"...Asia, West and the Dynamic of Religion (1994) was released at the Kannada Sahitya Parishat in Chamarajpet. The book titled 'Smriti, Vismriti: Bhaarateeya Samskruti', translated by scholar-historian Dr Rajaram Hegde, was released by writer-journalist Ravi Belegere.

Published by Akshara Prakashana, the book is priced at Rs 415. An introduction to the book was presented by Prof. Sivarama Krishnan, retired Sociology Professor, Bangalore University. Centre for the Study of Local Cultures (CSLC), Kuvempu University organised the event with support from Nagasri Book House, Jayanagar.

Full report here Citizen Matters

A Latin-Kannada dictionary is brought to life

A rare Latin-Kannada dictionary that a French bishop published 149 years ago to help missioners learn Kannada is now again available for use.

Father Arulappa of the St Mary’s Basilica explains how the resurrection happened: Bishop Etienne Louis Charbonnaux was a French missionary deputed to the then Mysore region, Srirangapatna by the Pope in 18th century.

After he came here, Bishop Charbonnaux learnt the local language (Kannada) and wrote the Latin-Kannada dictionary titled Dictionarium Latino Canarense.

Full report here DNA

‘Film world needs literary touch’

The Kannada film industry requires guidance of Kannada Sahitya Parishath more than ever for its survival and welfare, observed Karnataka Film Chamber president Basanth Kumar Patil.

Speaking on the second day of sixth Bangalore City District Kannada literary meet at Ravindra Kalaskhetra here on Saturday, Patil noted the Kannada filmdom is in a pathetic state as there is a huge gap between the industry and Sahitya Parishat.

“More number of films are being made in Kannada as compared to other languages. However, the films lack quality due to the disconnect between the industry and the writers. “There will be a renaissance in the film industry with the guidance of Kannada writers, ”he said. Outsiders coming to Bangalore should learn Kannada language. It is the duty of every Kannadiga to teach outsiders Kannada language and culture, he added.

Full report here Deccan Herald

Kannada litterateur Ku Go awarded

Ku Go of Udupi has been honoured with Dr Shivaram Karanth literary Award, recently.

KU GO is the renowned limerick writer in Kannada literature. He is also a well- known organizer of Kannada literary movement in this part of the district.

Further, he has carved a niche in the literary field by contributing several short stories and humorous articles.

He is also the founder of the organizations known as Suhaam and Nadumane that boosta literary activities.

Full report here Daijiworld

Living in linguistic entropy

The building guard rings my doorbell, armed with dire news: “Aapka cable cut karne ko ayaa hai.” Cable? But I have Tata Sky. I run down to investigate only to be confronted by an irate young man in khaki. “No cable! Electric, electric,” he growls, impatient at our misapprehension. We begin to argue, I in Tamil, he in Kannada, our voices rising in frustration, as the guard tries to make peace in Hindi. What I remember most clearly is the BESCOM fellow’s contempt for my inability to speak his language – a deficiency that damns me as an outsider.

Language is a marker of identity, but also difference, a truism that is easy to forget in the cosmopolitan confines of Bangalore. This is a multi-ethnic, multilingual city, more so over the past twenty years thanks to the IT boom. In ‘new’ Bangalore, Manipuri beauticians, Malayali nurses, Punjabi housewives, Tamil maids, and Andhra businessmen live cheek by jowl, expanding each other’s linguistic horizons. The Gujarati businessman at the vet’s clinic chats in Kannada with the assistant, drumming up some broken Tamil as he makes small talk with me. My maid, who arrived in the city as a young illiterate woman from Dharmapuri, has since added three languages – Kannada, Hindi, and English – to her skill set. “I speak Spanish to God, Italian to women, French to men and German to my horse,” averred the Spanish Emperor Charles V. The youngest generation of Bangaloreans are no less talented. “My child already speaks four languages,” is the boast I hear most often from other parents. Too bad I can’t say the same about mine.

Full report here Bangalore Mirror

The Monu magic

Bolwar Mahamad Kunhi, the winner of the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award for his work on Gandhiji for children, says it is a fascinating story of an ordinary boy who became famous by speaking the truth

In the West, most acclaimed writers have written for children. However, such instances are far and few between in our immediate literary context. Bolwar Mahamad Kunhi, a short story writer and novelist of repute is among the few exceptions. This writer has edited what is considered the finest work ever produced in Kannada for children – “Tattu Chappale Putta Magu”, a collection of over 100 poems and “Santammanna”, which is an anthology of 40-odd poems with lively-lovely illustrations. He is now the recipient of the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award for telling children the story of an ordinary Mohandas who became Mahatma Gandhi in his “Paapu Gandhi Bapu Gandhi Aada Kathe”.

Apart from Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar, it is only Bolwar who has written about Gandhi for children.

Full report here Hindu