Mandya district is abuzz with excitement as the 87th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana begins today, marking its return after 30 years. Residents and visitors are thrilled about this three-day literary extravaganza celebrating Kannada language and culture.
S.B. Shankaregowda, a retired principal and a veteran of past Sammelanas in Mandya, reminisced about the 1974 and 1994 editions. He highlighted the significant role played by leaders like K.V. Shankaragowda and S.M. Krishna in organizing past events. The 1994 Sammelana, despite challenges like rain, left a lasting legacy, with surplus funds used for local development projects, including building the Kannada Sahitya Parishat office and Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Kalamandira.
Shankaregowda noted a shift in focus, lamenting the lack of discussions on making Kannada a livelihood language and addressing the closure of Kannada-medium schools. He also criticized the trend of relocating events to larger venues, calling for a deeper connection with local communities.
Locals like farmer Boregowda and engineer M.K. Savitha shared their enthusiasm. Boregowda, a volunteer in 1994, appreciated the event’s enhanced publicity this year. Savitha, who missed the last Sammelana as a child, is eager to experience the literary sessions now.
The Sammelana promises not just nostalgia but also an opportunity to reconnect with Kannada’s rich heritage and address its modern challenges.
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