Date:31/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/31/stories/2007053118120400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Ananthamurthy decides to avoid the press

Staff Reporter

Baragur terms the decision as a result of `cultural politics' in the State

POETIC: Jnanpith award-winner U.R. Ananthamurthy (centre) releasing two collections of poems, `Kayamaayada Haadu' and `Beedi Allama', written by chairman of the Kannada Book Authority S.G. Siddaramaiah (left) in Bangalore on Wednesday. Writer Baragur u Ramachandrappa is seen. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

BANGALORE: The Jnanpith Award-winner and Kannada writer U.R. Ananthamurthy announced on Wednesday that he would not participate in any public literary event such as book release where presspersons were present in future.

Dr. Ananthamurthy was speaking at the release of two collections of poems, Kayamaayada Haadu and Beedi Allama penned by Chairman of the Kannada Book Authority S.G. Siddaramaiah here.

Without going into the details of what had spurred his decision, the writer said that this literary function would be his last public function. He would prefer to interact on literary issues in private places that were free from presspersons. He would continue to participate in social and political meetings, he said.

Terming Dr. Ananthamurthy's "extreme" decision as a result of "cultural politics", noted writer and film maker Baragur Ramachandrappa said that Dr. Ananthamurthy was pained at public reaction to his reported views to S.L. Byrappa's recently published novel Avarana.

"It is not clear whether a section of the press has reported Dr. Ananthamurthy's views in right spirit and context. Avarana is not a good work as it fails to advocate religious tolerance and sounds as a votary of communal passion," Prof. Ramachandrappa said.

Urging Dr. Ananthamurthy to reconsider his decision, he said that there was a dire need to give a fitting reply to such morbid and distorted works on history and humanity through cultural dialogues.

Commenting on Avarana at a book release on Sunday, Dr. Ananthamurthy had reportedly observed that a writer with a vision should shun his personal views and transcend his limitations in the creation of a work of art.