Mangaluru: “Saints like Kanakadasa, Purandaradasa, and Narayana Guru were not restricted to any caste or religion. Kanakadasa was the one who raised his voice against inequality, and desire of accumulation of wealth,’ said Moodabidri Alva’s Education Foundation Chairman Dr. Mohan Alva.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating a two-day ‘Kanaka Sahitya Sammelana’ at Mangala Auditorium of Mangalore University, organised in collaboration with the Kanakadasa Research Centre and the National Saint Poet Kanakadasa Study and Research Centre, Bengaluru, on Friday July 22, he said, “Be it in the text or not, the society should include the thoughts of saints like Kanaka who longed for devotion and social justice. This first Kanaka literature conference on Kanakadasa has historical significance.”
In his presidential address, Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof. P. Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya said that a cultural policy will be formulated for the university by September. Through this, art, literature and culture will be delivered in an interesting way to the younger generation.
Mangalore University Registrar Prof. Kishore Kumar C. K. opined that the activities of Kanakadasa Peetha are providing useful thoughts to the society.
Centre for Higher Studies in Classical Kannada Project Director (Mysore) Prof. B. Shivaram Shetty donated the amount of the ‘Kanaka Puraskar’ he received last time to the Kanaka Peetha of Mangalore University.
National Poet Kanakadasa Research Centre (Bangalore) Coordinator M.R. Sathyanarayana delivered the introductory note.
Mangalore University Kanakadasa Research Centre Coordinator Dr. Dhananjaya Kumble welcomed the gathering. Ananda M Kiduru extended the vote of thanks. Lecturer Arun Ullal mastered the ceremony.
Later, Kanaka seminar was held in the light of heritage. Scholars including Prof. Mallepuram G. Venkatesh, Lakshmisha Tholpady, and M. R. Sathyanarayana of Shivamogga spoke at the event. Dr. Padekallu Vishnu Bhat, Shivakumar Alagodu, and Belavadi Manjunath participated in the ‘Kanaka Tarangini Mahakavya Manthana’ concert.
Cultural Programme
Highlights include Kanaka Gayana by Usha Udupi and troupe, ‘Nalacharithra Gamaka Vyakyana’ by Pawan Kiranakere and Gayathri Nagaraj, ‘Kanaka Arthanusandhana’ programme by Shridevi Kalladka, Shrivani Kakunje, Sunil Pallamajalu, and Kanaka puppet show by Mallikarjuna BV troupe of Ballari
