Kannada must continue to remain vibrant and inclusive, says writer

Senior writer Jayashri Viranna Dande has said that Kannada has historically evolved as a language of the people. It must continue to remain vibrant and inclusive in these changing times, she said.

She was speaking after inaugurating the 11th Hubballi Urban Taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelan in Hubballi on Sunday.

In her address, Ms. Dande said that people in Karnataka traditionally lived and breathed Kannada in their everyday lives. But, the situation has changed in cities such as Bengaluru, where the language is struggling to retain its presence, she observed.

She remarked that in many places it is often the working-class women who continue to sustain everyday Kannada usage.

Tracing the evolution of Kannada literature, she said that the language was initially associated with royal courts but gradually became the language of the common people.

Referring to the 12th-century social reformers Basavanna and Allama Prabhu, she said that they believed that critical thinking and knowledge should reach everyone.

The Sharana movement, she said, brought literature closer to the lives and concerns of the common people and helped folk traditions flourish.

Ms. Dande said that Basavanna welcomed the creative potential of all individuals and freed literature from the rigid restrictions making it accessible to everyone.

He challenged the notion that prayers have to be offered only in particular languages and encouraged people to express devotion in their own language.

She said that Basavanna urged people to question blind faith, apply reason and examine themselves.

Sammelanadhyakshe Sneha Bhusanur said that the main aim of literature is to uphold humanity.

Literature must question ignorance, superstition, casteism and injustice and raise its voice against social evils, she said.

While the number of writers has increased, she observed that the quality of literary criticism and engagement with contemporary issues has not kept pace.

Writers should avoid factionalism and ensure that literature reflects social realities, she added.

Expressing concern over the declining connection between language and culture, she said that excessive dependence on foreign languages has weakened the place of Kannada among the younger generations. Many children are educated in English-medium institutions without adequate exposure to Kannada history, literature and culture, she said.

She also raised concerns over increasing violence against women and called for collective efforts by both men and women to build a just and humane society.

She urged the taluk and zilla panchayats to actively promote literature and culture in Hubballi and called upon parents to adopt the principle of “learn in Kannada, learn English” and not “learn Kannada too” and demanded the renovation of Kannada schools while ensuring that Kannada language development is given importance even in English-medium institutions.

K.S. Kaulajgi said that the best way to preserve Kannada is by actively using the language in everyday life.

Referring to Kerala’s Malayalam Language Bill, he said that Karnataka should also consider introducing similar legislation to promote and protect Kannada.

Lingaraj Angadi expressed concern over the lack of government funding for the Sahitya Sammelan saying that despite repeated assurances, financial support did not materialise. He said that the organisation’s office building required repairs and though the Mayor promised to release funds for the purpose, the assistance has not yet been provided.

Subsequently, they released several books in the presence of various dignitaries.