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Some interesting reads in Kannada
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Chitrada Bennu, by
N.K. Hanumanthaiah
Kannada Sangha, St. Joseph's Commerce College, Rs. 60
There is an opinion that is gaining wide circulation among the Kannada litterateurs. The contention is that that there is nothing "new" in the Kannada literary scene today. The recently published collection of poetry by N.K. Hanumanthaiah seems to pose a serious challenge to such statements and compels one to sit up and read them.
This collection has 37 poems, majority of which are an expression of his experiences of discomfort, helplessness and anger that gradually move towards seeking a just world in freedom. The poet has an eye for detail and through it he weaves his view of the world. There are a whole range of issues that are addressed here — adultery, communalism, environmentalism, man-woman relationship etc. Through his poems he embarks on an inner journey, a journey, not for individual Moksha, but to lift mankind from miseries. So much so that it reminds one of the Buddhist philosophy.
N.K. Hanumanthaih's earlier collection Himada Hejje, drew the attention of critics as well as the readers. This new collection of poems covers a wide range of subjects including politics, spirituality, and social justice. Hanumanthiah's poetry brings in a creative use of the language with new imagery. Beneath all this is the concealed anger of a Dalit and the helplessness of his world. This is visible in his very first poem Chitrada Bennu. The poet dialogues with nature - an ant, a snail, a creeper... and later transports them into a social and cultural context.
Dalit literature is a product of experiences of exploitation and its outburst against it. Hanumanthaih, himself a Dalit, brings his experiences with lucidity.
With his fascinating use of language, he has been able to take forward the contours of Dalit literature.
Lakshmipathi C.G.
A poet's political debates
Dr. Siddalingaiahnavara Sadanada Bhashanagalu,
edited by
Doddahulluru Rukkoji
Ankita Pustaka, Rs. 170
How does one react when a firebrand activist joins the mainstream political system? One either calls it appropriation or an attempt to change the system as an insider. The reaction, predictably, was mixed when well-known Dalit writer-activist Siddalingaiah accepted the nomination to the Legislative Council. Many found it hard to believe that the most powerful anti-establishment voice of the Dalit-Bandaya stream — whose poem "Namma Janagalu" has an iconic status both in the canons of literature and politics of resistance — could let them down by becoming part of the corrupt political system.
Doddahulluru Rukkoji, who has edited this compilation of Dr. Siddalingaiah's speeches in the Legislative Council, had the same dilemma over the nomination. Especially since Rukkoji, as a political reporter, knew how farcical the debates in both the Assembly and the Council tend to be. But the kind of debates that Siddalingaiah raised and persistently followed up, Rukkoji says, forced him to rethink his own cynicism.
As one reads through the debates one gets a sense of the depth and vastness of Siddalingaiah's concerns. In his presentation seeking reservation for children from inter-caste marriages (which raised a big State-wide debate) he brings into focus the history of the relationship between caste and matrimonial relationships. Peppered with liberal literary allusions — especially to the radical 12th Century Veerashaiva poets — this political debate takes on a new dimension. Also to be noted are the absolutely flippant responses of the other members of the House to this crucial issue.
The other debates range from the ones on Babri Masjid demolition, atrocities on Dalits and tribal communities in various contexts to the problems of farmers, industrial labourers and blue-collar employees. There's even a short debate on the right of a man to grow a beard!
Most of these debates stem from specific situations and go on to address larger issues. For instance, the question of tribal people being forcibly evicted from a national park area goes on to become a debate on how they have consistently been deprived of their right to land and livelihood in our country.
There are also many debates that centre on the demand for supremacy for Kannada. The section that takes up the issue of granting statutory powers to the Kannada Development Authority seems particularly interesting in this context because Siddalingaiah has recently been appointed the Chairman of this body.
A few days ago he reiterated the same demand as the head of the body. In fact, an interesting exercise would be to look back at all the questions that Siddalingaiah raises in this compilation and see how far they have progressed from the point from which they were first taken up. This could, in fact, be one way of testing how much one can change and subvert being part of the establishment.
Siddalingaiah served two terms as MLC. While this volume deals with the debates he raised during the first term, Kamadhenu Prakashana recently released another volume dealing with his second term.
BAGESHREE S.
Leafing Through is a
fortnightly column that features Kannada books. Send in books and responses to Friday Review,
The Hindu, 19&21, Bhagwan Mahaveer Road,
Bangalore 560 001.
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