Source : Times of India
HUBBALLI: Why is the 84th Akhila Bharat Kannada Sahitya Sammelana being held at the University of Agricultural Sciences campus, which is outside of Dharwad? How will organizers showcase the culture and heritage of Dharwad to outsiders during the event? What are the initiatives to attract youths?
These were some of the questions raised by writers and activists of Hubballi and Dharwad during an interaction with Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) president Manu Baligar, organized by Vijay Karnataka, a sister publication of The Times Of India here on Saturday.
Activist Shankar Halagatti started by saying Dharwad should be decorated to represent its culture and heritage during the Sammelana.
Veteran writer Malati Pattanshetti pressed to run special ‘Dharwad Darshan’ buses and also suggested to hold a photography exhibition on Dharwad. She wanted sessions to be held on contemporary issues. Kalasa-Banduri activist Vikas Soppin pointed out at the resolutions taken in previous sammelanas. “They are being taken just for a formality. A review is needed on the resolutions of previous Sammelanas and public participation should be encouraged in all happenings of the event,” he said.
Children writer Ninganna Kunti demanded that a separate session for children’s literature should be held.
Activist Shashidhar Todkar demanded a lecture on Tontada Siddhalinga Mahaswamiji, who passed away recently.
Kannada activist Amruth Ijari said citizens of the twin cities have many expectations from the Sammelana and assured all Kannada activists would put organized efforts for event to become a success.
Responding later, Baligar explained the limitations and technical reasons about why some suggestions cannot be adopted. He assured that all possible suggestions will be incorporated in the event.
Writers Chandrashekhar Vastrad from Gadag, Koragal Virupakshappa from Haveri, Venkatesh Mareguddi, B V Shirur and others participated in interaction. Dharwad KSP president Lingaraj Angadi was present.
Debate on Sahitya Bhavan
There was a heated discussion on the construction of a Sahitya Bhavan in Hubballi after the Sammelana. Publisher M A Subrahmanya pointed that when the 59th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana was held in Hubballi in 1990, then Kannada Sahitya Parishat district president Shivanand Gali had shifted the Sahitya Bhavan to Dharwad. Since the Sammelana will be held in Dharwad, the Sahitya Bhavan should be given to Hubballi, he said. However, Shankar Halagatti retorted that many cultural halls were falling without maintenance and proper usage. Subrahmanya said that the halls have been left unattended as the rent was very much high for cultural events.
