Writer calls for upholding secular Karnataka’s secular tradition

A colourful cultural procession displaying the traditional specificities of all the 31 districts in the State marked the 69th Karnataka Rajyotsava and Suvarna Sambhrama celebrations organised by the Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University in Ballari on Friday. The statue of Bhuvaneshwari was carried in the procession.

A colourful cultural procession displaying the traditional specificities of all the 31 districts in the State marked the 69th Karnataka Rajyotsava and Suvarna Sambhrama celebrations organised by the Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University in Ballari on Friday. The statue of Bhuvaneshwari was carried in the procession.

Addressing the event, senior writer Kum. Veerabhadrappa delved deep into the history of Kannada literature from the Kannada inscriptions through the greatest writers and their works to recent contributions to the language and culture in literary works.

“Because of its great literature, Kannada has secured a place of respect in Indian languages. The greatest contribution of Kannada literature is that it reflects the peaceful coexistence of different communities with different cultural backgrounds. It upheld the secular traditions and maintained a distance from the narrow mindset. People of different religions, castes and other cultural identities live peacefully like a family. This is what great writers such as Adikavi Pampa, Kumaravyasa, Basavanna, Allamaprabhu, Purandara Dasa, Kanakadasa, Kuvempu and Da.Ra. Bendre have advocated through their writings,” he said.

Mr. Veerabhadrappa demanded that the government give adequate attention to the university’s development and fill the regular staff for the Kannada department.

Bengaluru University Vice-Chancellor Jayakar Shetty, who inaugurated the event, said that Karnataka is a land rich in diversity with cultural heritage, art, architecture and language where one feels proud to be born. “Karnataka is a land of rich diversities. You can find different dialects of the Kannada language, cultural practices, attires and eating habits in the State. Different regions host different ways of life. However, they are strongly bound by Kannada to uphold their unity in diversity. We must continue this rich tradition,” he said.

He recalled the struggles and sacrifices of the Karnataka unification movement that led to the creation of Mysore State 69 years ago and the renaming of the State as Karnataka in 1973. “We are now celebrating the 69th Rajyotsava and the golden jubilee of renaming the state ‘Karnataka’. Kannadigas have been proud of their state and language. They love their land and language. We need to protect and develop Kannada and Karnataka,” he said.

Koppal University Vice-Chancellor B.K. Ravi, who flagged off the cultural procession, shed light on the great Vijayanagara Empire and its contributions to art, architecture, literature and the overall development of society. “This is the land from where the Vijayanagara Empire had ruled the vast areas of South India. People, especially the younger generation, need to develop reading habits and know about our rich past,” he said.