Sammelana will help Kannadigas overcome inferiority complex

The Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Bangalore was long overdue. Such a festival is needed to inspire pride in Kannadigas, create awareness about language, culture and history.

Kannadigas have become a minority, living as they are like islands in a sea of non-Kannadigas in the city. The sammelana gives an opportunity to everyone to acquaint themselves with the language of the land.

The subjects of the various sessions in the sammelana are relevant, much needed. I am sure they will offer guidance to people working in different areas. The book exhibition too would give a boost to the publishing industry.

Along with meets like these, there is plenty to be done everywhere. A Kannada-isation of Bangalore needs to happen. In schools and colleges, a Kannada environment has to be created by holding cultural programmes, seminars, discussions and book exhibitions. Through culture we can spread the Kannada word.

Unfortunately, I have heard, in a few CBSE schools children are not allowed to speak Kannada. If they do, they are fined or even beaten. This is wrong.

We are not saying that English is not needed, there is no objection to learning the language in which we need to conduct all worldly affairs. However, we are alienating ourselves from Kannada culture too. English can be learnt through Kannada culture.

To explain it further, children are introduced to English rhymes, poems, stories but not those of GP Rajarathnam or Panje Mangeshkar Rao. These litterateurs are not less than any English writers. In fact the poetic quality in their creations exceeds those of English poets. Our children are not acquainted with vachanas and keerthanas. They do not know who Akkamahadevi is or who Haridas is. What about our great rulers like Kadambas, Gangas, Rashtrakootas, the great king Banavasi Mayura Varma and Immadi Pulakeshi?

There is a rich history to be discovered but we are moving away from it. Kannadigas have developed an inferiority complex. That should go. The roots of this culture have to be protected. Events like the Sammelana are efforts in this direction.

Siddalingaiah is an eminent poet and chairman, Kannada Pustaka Pradhikara.