Time to claim glory for Kannada, says Kambar

Noted Kannada poet and folklorist Dr Chandrashekhar Kambar pointed out that writers in Indian languages have lost their originality influenced by the rampant use of English. The only way out of this deadlock is to turn our critical eye towards the West and become powerful enough to tempt others to take the knowledge from us. Only then can we preserve over identity and originality, he explained.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 17th All India Konkani Sahitya Sammelan at Madhav Manjunathnagar (Gibbs High school premises) at Kumta, recently.

We have been always recepients of western literature, but not givers, he said and added that our poets have been influenced by the western poets and playwrights, but no western writer was influenced by our rich literature.

He felt that our literature would become powerful only when our writers could influence westerners.

Dr Kambar said though our literature is one of the oldest literatures in the world, we have failed to introduce it to the westerners. It is time to make efforts to display them to the whole world, he added.

He pointed out that Konkani and Kannada speaking people had good relation in Karnataka and said that Konkani language must not be neglected.

Dr Chandrashekar Kambar said that Konkani language and literature has a fascinating history and Konkani language received recognition only after Goa became independent in 1961. But within 40 years the language got national status and it is not a small achievement, he pointed out.

Mahabaleshwar speaks

Kendra Sahitya Academy awardee and Konkani novelist Mr Mahableshwar presided over the sammelan. He expressed concern over the growing tendency of imposing language and culture of majority over the minority. He opined that the problem was more dangerous than political slackness.

Minister for Co-operation R V Deshapande, who released a souvenir to commemorate the occasion, said that Konkani was a secular language and irrespective of religion and caste, all people spoke Konkani in the coastal Karnataka region.

Mr Deshpande also announced Rs 7 lakh grant to the All India Konkani Sammelan from Government of Karnataka.

Mr R H Bhaskar, Mr Dayanand Shanbhog, Ms Jotsna Kamat, Mr Ramesh Keshav Raikar, Mr Venu Madhav Borkar were felicitated for their contributions to Konkani literature and other fields. Books of many Konkani writers were also released.

T M A Pai Foundation Manipal President K K Pai inaugurated a book exhibition. Kumta MLA Mohan Shetty, Karwar MLA Gangadhar Bhat, Konkani Sahitya Academy President Basti Vaman Shenai, Goa Konkani Sahitya Parishad President Pundalik Nayak were present.