Shravanabelagola: Hundreds of people from across the State have arrived at Shravanabelagola to participate in the 81st Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, which is historic for the fact that a distinguished Dalit writer is chairing the event for the first time in the 100 years of Kannada Sahitya Parishat.
Hassan district unit of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat got the opportunity to host the sammelan owing to differences that arose over organising it at Haveri. The parishat had to organise the event within a short span of time. However, with the support of the district administration and the Jain Mutt, the parishat has been able to accept the challenge.
Siddalingaiah, poet and writer, arrived at Shravanabelagola on Friday evening. On Saturday, he went around the venue and learnt about the preparations that have been made for the smooth conduct of the literary fest. He told presspersons that in his speech on Sunday, he would express and reverberate the feelings of the large Kannada-speaking population that the medium of instruction in primary schools should be Kannada.
Farmers
Farmers of Channarayapatna taluk have whole-heartedly supported the organisers by offering coconuts, copra and jaggery for the event. During the procession, hundreds of people from nearby villages had gathered along the main streets and enjoyed the folk dances presented by the participating troupes.
This is probably the first sammelan being held by spending more than Rs. 7 crore. The temporary structures, including stages, book stalls and dining halls, have been erected at a cost of about Rs. 2 crore. More than 600 book stalls have been set up for the event.
A media centre has been set up close to the main stage to help journalists send reports easily.
As many as 40 computers with Internet facility have been installed at the venue.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the sammelan on Sunday. A seminar on ‘Constitution: State’s language policy’ will be held after the inaugural ceremony. Speakers in the seminar are expected to focus on the controversy that has surfaced over the introduction of Kannada as the medium of instruction in primary schools.
The organisers have made arrangements for the delegates to stay at Shravanabelagola, Channarayapatna and Hassan. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has introduced special buses for the participants to reach their halting places.
Over Rs. 7 crore is being spent on conducting the literary fest
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to inaugurate
the sammelan
