Karnataka - Bidar   

Writers, readers come face to face at academy function

Staff Correspondent

Bidar: The Karnataka Sahitya Academy organised an interaction of award-winning writers and readers here on Tuesday.

Detective novelist N. Narasimhaiah, folklore expert Sudhakar, novelist A.P. Malati, ghazal writer H.S. Muktayakka and researcher and head of the Hampi Kannada University's Publications Division Mallepuram G. Venkatesh, who have been selected for the academy's State-level honorary awards, were introduced to the readers.

The artificial distinction between serious and popular literature had caused us more harm than good, said writer and critic Sabiha Bhoomi Gowda who introduced Ms. Malati. She felt that critics and academicians were prejudiced against popular writers and did not take them seriously. Popular writers would get so much of fan mails, but they would not get critical acclaim. This was unfortunate, she said.

Lauded

Dr. Gowda lauded the academy for conferring awards on both serious and popular writers. The wall between serious and popular literature was slowly crumbling down, she said.

Dr. Gowda said that Ms. Malati had been writing for three decades and had brought out 19 novels and two short story collections.

"She is an accomplished analyst of the human mind. She has tackled issues such as the native intelligence of women, the conditions of Dalits and slavery," Dr. Gowda said. Shivananda Kelaginamane said that Dr. Venkatesh was a scholar who blended modern thinking with ancient Indian thought and heritage.

He had written path-breaking books on Sanskrit, Prakrit, music, the Vedas and other subjects. There were few scholars parallel to him in linguistics. His understanding of `allama prabhu' and other `sharanas' was amazing, Dr. Kelaginamane said.

Dr. Venkatesh's theories on native culture, sub-culture and greater culture had set us thinking in new directions. All his writings laid stress on humanity and love of life, Dr. Kelaginamane said.

Subbu Holeyar introduced Mr. Narasimhaiah as the "king of readers."

Mr. Narasimhaiah had created a whole new generation of readers and instilled the passion of reading among the youth. For many people, the first brush with literature had been with Mr. Narasimhaiah, Dr. Holeyar said.

Prabhu Khanapure said that H.S. Muktayakka had pioneered the art of writing ghazals. He had enriched literature by making available the rich "mushayara" tradition in Kannada. She had also contributed a lot to social harmony by bringing Kannada and Urdu speaking people together, Dr. Khanapure said.

Appagere Somashekar described Prof. Sudhakar as a walking encyclopaedia of proverbs and folk sayings. His books on Kannada folk literature had been prescribed as textbooks for the Union Public Service Commission examination, Mr. Somashekar said.

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