Karnataka - Mysore   

Not a big change: Javare Gowda

Staff Correspondent

Decision to rename Bangalore as Bengaluru

MYSORE: The State Government's decision to rename Bangalore as Bengaluru is not such a big thing, according to the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore, D. Javare Gowda, who is spearheading a campaign for classical language status for Kannada.

"The earlier word `Bangalore' had a consonant ending and the changed name has a vowel ending. The change is simple and not much of a departure from the original name as in the change to `Chennai' from `Madras'." On renaming other cities in Karnataka, he said there is nothing wrong in doing so.

However, he said a decision to start an engineering college and a medical college with Kannada as the medium of instruction, as suggested by U.R. Ananthamurthy, would be a welcome sign.

N.S. Rangaraju, professor, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Mysore, said the decision is fine as long as it is an effort to retrace our cultural roots. But if the name of Karnataka's capital is being changed only because Bombay has been renamed as Mumbai or Madras as Chennai, or if the decision is politically motivated, then it is not a good augury as there will be no end to it and history cannot be changed: one has to live with it.

Prof. Rangaraju, who is a member of the Place-name Society of India, said the past cannot be undone, and there are lessons that history holds for us. However, if the Government is sincere in its efforts, and if renaming Bangalore as Bengaluru is to retrace our heritage and relate to the linguistic demands of society, then it should go ahead as `Bengaluru' is not a radical departure from `Bangalore.

"As a member of the Place-name Society of India, I say with authority that these names are available in our early records, and even Mysore was known as Mysooru. I will endorse and welcome the change if it is introduced.

"However, in the case of Bangalore, it has an international brand and there may be some resistance or inconvenience, but gradually it will be overcome and people will accept it," said Prof. Rangaraju.

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