Mysuru, the cultural capital of Karnataka, is decked up to welcome Kannada literary enthusiasts to the 83rd Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, which is happening here after a gap of 27 years.
Festive mood has descended on the city as delegates from across the State and Kannadigas living in other States are expected to participate in the three-day literary festival, which begins on November 24.
A colossal pandal for the main venue — Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Vedike — that can accommodate 25,000 people has come up on the Maharaja College Grounds.
Over 200 stalls for hosting book exhibition and an equal number of stalls for other activities have also come up next to the main venue. Food stalls will function at multiple venues — Scouts and Guides Grounds, Sports Pavilion, and Football Grounds, all of them located close to the main venue — to cater to delegates, VIPs, media, and the public. Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Manu Baligar said more than 30 senior literary personalities, including Jnanpith awardee Chandrashekar Kambar, have been personally requested to participate in the sammelana and share their views. “Sri Kambar has agreed to participate,” he said, adding that around 5,000 writers have also confirmed their participation. He complimented the district administration for enhancing the seating capacity and also food counters which would facilitate bigger participation. Compared to the previous sammelanas, the Mysuru meet will be hosting more sessions, he said, adding that a session on transgenders has been introduced for the first time in the Kannada meet.
Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep said ₹10 crore has been estimated to be spent on organising the sammelana. While the government had promised ₹8 crore, the sahitya parishat had released ₹1 crore for hosting the event. Publicity Committee chairman H.A. Venkatesh said 10,893 delegates have registered till 3 p.m. on November 22 (Wednesday) for participating in the event. He said special counters will operate from 8.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. at the main venue on November 24 for the registration of delegates. Separate counters will function for the registration of delegates from 30 districts and kits will also be distributed to them.
As many as 200 employees from the Department of Backward Classes and teachers from Morarji Desai Schools have been roped in for the registration. On-office duty letters will be given to government and semi-government staff members attending the sammelana.
Mayor M.J. Ravi Kumar, who heads the procession committee, said sammelana president Chandrashekar Patil will be brought in a grand procession on the main streets of the city to the main venue. Mysuru Sahitya Parishat president Y.D. Rajanna and others were present.
Durbar Hall decor for main stage
The Durbar Hall décor of Mysuru palace has been recreated for the main stage of the sammelana at the Maharaja College Grounds here. The main stage has been named as Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Vedike while the entire venue has been christened as Rajarishi Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Mahamantapa. The main entrance of the venue has been named as Sri Malai Mahadeshwara Mahadwara. The theme of the Durbar Hall for the main stage was decided by a committee with the design representing a rich heritage. DC D. Randeep said less than ₹5 lakh had been spent on the stage design. As designs like the one done for the main stage would take at least 60 days, the ready design of Durbar Hall was procured with Mysuru palace being the prized asset of the city, the organisers claimed.
KSOU, Kannada varsity issues to echo at sammelana
The issue over de-recognition of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) and the move to restructure Hampi Kannada University will be taken up for discussion at the sammelana. Responding to the suggestion from Publicity Committee president H.A. Venkatesh, Kananda Sahitya Parishat president Manu Baligar told presspersons here that a resolution on both the universities will be passed at the sammelana. There is a need to protect both the universities, he added. “A resolution on KSOU, which is located in Mysuru and many Kannadigas have been pursuing various courses at the university, is most essential at the sammelana,” Mr. Venkatesh suggested.
