The Hindu : Karnataka News : Call for Gokak-type agitation draws flak

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 13, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Call for Gokak-type agitation draws flak

By Our Special Correspondent

DHARWAD, SEPT. 12. The Kannada Film Producers' Association's call to launch a Gokak-type agitation in the name of safeguarding the interests of Kannada has evoked a sharp reaction among the writers here.

Eighteen writers, including N.K. Kulkarni and Chennavira Kanavi, former President of the All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, have come out against what they described as attempts at self-aggrandisement in the name of Kannada.

In a statement issued here today, the writers said that it was a pity that a few persons in the Kannada film industry had called for a Gokak-type agitation (launched in the 1980s to ensure primacy for Kannada in schools).

The reason for the Gokak agitation was different and it could not be compared with the crisis in the Kannada film industry, they added.

It was surprising that some leaders in the Kannada film industry, who never bothered to take part in the agitations for the cause of Kannada and Karnataka, had suddenly developed a love for Kannada.

Opportunism

It was a sheer opportunism. These leaders believed that Karnataka existed only in and around Bangalore and ignored artistes from other parts of the State.

They had established a monopoly in the industry through intimidatory tactics, and were now talking in terms of a united Karnataka, the writers said.

These leaders did not express any sympathy to the agitations for the establishment of a Bench of the Karnataka High Court outside Bangalore, and against releasing Cauvery waters, they said.

`Unfortunate'

The demand that non-Kannada films be exhibited in the State seven weeks after their release was unfortunate. Language and art had no barriers. A film would succeed if it was good. There had been instances where Kannada films had run for more than 25 weeks. If Kannada films were not successful it was because of their quality and not because of films in other languages, they said.

Talks

They urged the Government to invite all segments of the film industry for talks to find an amicable solution to the crisis.

The signatories to the statement included B.V. Gunjetti, secretary of Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha, H.C. Mogali, chairman of the sangha, Hanumakshi Gogi, Somasekhar Imrapur, Mohan Nagammanavar, Tejaswi Kattimani, Madhu Venkareddy, H.M. Maheswaraiah, Chennakka Pavate, Veeranna Rajur, R.V. Horadi, Siddalinga Desai, and Umesh Baligar.

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