Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113053840500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Government open to ideas to develop Kannada: Baligar

Special Correspondent

A consultation meeting to be held soon for
the purpose’
Government urged to complete Kannada Bhavan project as designed

BANGALORE: The State Government is open to suggestions for the development of Kannada, including the expansion of Kannada Bhavan, Director of Kannada and Culture Manu Baligar has said.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of a seminar on “Kannada samskriti; hattu varsha – hattaru kavalaugalu” organised by Sahiti Kalavidara Vedike here on Saturday.

Mr. Baligar said that his department was open to ideas that could help in the development of Kannada and culture. The department would convene a consultation meeting of all those concerned for the purpose. It would also convene a meeting of experts for reviewing the suggestions offered.

Referring to the method followed for the development of Kumara Gandharva Rangamandir in Belgaum with public support, Mr. Baligar said the expansion of Kannada Bhavan was in the hands of the Government and there was no bar on utilising the faculties at the bhavan for cultural purposes.

Lauding the efforts of some officials, who played an important role in the construction of Kannada Bhavan, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore D. Javare Gowda said that the Government should complete the bhavan project as designed. The Government should establish culture and art museums in all districts for documenting the contribution of writers and artistes from the respective areas.

Chairman of the Kannada Book Authority Siddalingaiah presided over the function.

Chairman of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy M.H. Krishnaiah, the former chairperson of the Kannada Book Authority S.G. Siddaramaiah, the former chairperson of the Nataka Academy K. Marulasiddappa and the former chairperson of the Yakshagana Academy Shambhu Hegde Keremane and the former Director of Kannada and Culture Y.K. Muddukrishna spoke.

The event to mark the 10th anniversary of Kannada Bhavan, a cultural centre situated adjacent to Ravindra Kalakshetra in the city, was a rare gesture by a group of writers and artistes. The bhavan project was proposed by the former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde during the Vishwa Kannada Sammelan in Mysore in 1984. The governments headed by H.D. Deve Gowda and J.H. Patel took keen interest in the project. Mr. Muddukrishna and his team of officials played an important role in realising the long cherished dream.