Karnataka - Bangalore   

A book of differing reflections

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Mavinakere Ranganathan

Bangalore: Two books, one on the life and writings of the scholar L.S. Seshagiri Rao and the other an interesting kind of English-English–Kannada dictionary compiled by Prof. Rao himself, have drawn the attention of the regional press well before their public release. The two books are slated for release on Saturday here. The book, “L.S. Seshagiri Rao Baduku Baraha”, which is on the life and literary achievements of Prof. Rao, is edited by a non-academic popular novelist and one-time filmmaker Mavinakere Ranganathan.

The book is a compilation of articles on the life of Prof. Rao by many big names belonging to all the three major traditions of Kannada literature, Navodaya, Pragathisheela and Navya. The contributions by a range of writers, including the late Jnanpith award winning writers K. Shivarama Karanth, Masti Vernkatesha Iyengar and V.K. Gokak, Gopalakrishna Adiga, A.N. Murthy Rao, Ha.Ma. Naik, K.S. Narasimha Swamy, V. Sitharamaiah, Pa.Vem, Basavaraja Kattimani, Chaduranga, Bagalodi Devaraya and the former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde, offers interesting insights into the cultural and literary scenario of the age.

Articles by G. Venkatasubbaiah, H.Y. Sharada Prasad, U.R. Anantha Murthy, S.L. Byrappa, Yeshawantha Chittala and M. Chidananda Murthy reflect the diverse creative streams within the Kannada literary world. Thus the editor of the book, Mr. Rangnathan, has accommodated a democratic space for a cultural dialogue.

The 400-page book begins with a poem on Prof. Rao’s humble and philosophical attitude to name, fame and achievement in life by his intimate friend Rashtrakavi G.S. Shivarudrappa and ends with a congratulatory note by the scholar K.T. Pandurangi on Prof. Rao’s selection as the chairman of the 74th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelan that concluded in Udupi recently.

The dictionary compiled by Prof. Rao claims many firsts to its credit. They are: pronunciation of each English word with the phonetic script of the word in Kannada, a list of Noun numbers and Genders, among others.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

E-payment facility for NHAI contractors launched
Vedike demands job reservations
HC stays closure of study centres
Petition by swamiji adjourned
It is ‘Think Thyroid month’
Managers learn a thing or two from these true workers
Prasar Bharati revenue increases
A book of differing reflections
Six CCB men held
DNA test on pelts of poached animals
‘India, U.S. partners in clean energy’
KERC reduces tariff for Gescom consumers
Court refuses to stay Paryaya ascension
Officer trapped by Lokayukta
Programmes to mark seer’s birthday
KREDL to replace bulbs with CFLs in State
Energy efficiency rating for motors and pumps
Power sector short of recruits
Financial aid to widows, destitutes
State-wide child census from January 21
Transport staff seek better pay
State defends policy on medium of instruction
Being multinational is a reality, says Baltimore
Protest staged demanding salary for forest staff
ViBGYOR fest curtain raiser from today
Guidelines for Sakrama
Kalam’s visit
Early polls sought in State
Officials more receptive to people’s needs: Cyriac Joseph
Heli-hop from new airport to Bangalore city in minutes
Two women murdered in Bangalore
A play for curious people
Meet on management education
BU to give away 198 gold medals
‘Recovering’
Withdrawing strike
Woman arrested for email fraud
Lakhs worth of artefacts looted Crime notes
Flower show at Lalbagh from tomorrow

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu