The Hindu : Karnataka News : Programmes to increase Kannada awareness

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 09, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Programmes to increase Kannada awareness

Staff Correspondent

`Government concerned over decline of Kannada theatre'

BELGAUM: The Department of Kannada and Culture has initiated steps to boost native culture, besides raising awareness on the Kannada language through special programmes `Kannada Kavya Vaibhava' and `Gadi Nadu Utsav' involving 57 taluks in 16 border districts.

Talking to presspersons here on Wednesday, the Director (Kannada and Culture), Muddu Mohan, said the department has accorded high priority to revive and strengthen the declining art forms and native culture.

For the `Gadi Nadu Jagrut Samavesh' which aims at strengthening national integration and cultural harmony, the department has earmarked Rs. 50,000 for each district. The programme also aims at creating greater awareness about the Kannada language in border areas.

`Kannada Kavya Vaibhav' aims at giving a boost to Kannada poetry. A sum of Rs. 8 lakhs has been set aside for the programme. Artists will be invited to recite Kannada poems in `gamaka' style; there will also be literary personalities to explain the meaning of the poems.

Financial aid

The Government shared the concern over the decline of Kannada theatre, particularly professional theatre groups, and has decided to extend financial aid to 17 such groups.

Owners of theatre companies and also artistes should work towards improving the quality of dramas.

The department has also come out with a special programme for youth and children titled `Rasa Grahana Shibir.'

The programme will be held in association with the Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy.

Mr. Muddu Mohan said a budgetary provision of Rs. 10 crores has been made towards establishment of cultural complexes in Gulbarga, Dharwad, and Bangalore.

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