Each of the 99 photos in the exhibition inaugurated on Tuesday to commemorate the 99th birthday of Kannada lexicographer G. Venkatasubbaiah, tell a tale of his incredible service to Kannada literary culture.
The near-centenarian presents himself and with the enthusiasm of someone far younger, he recalls the hard times after the Second World War when he was unemployed for more than three years. And as he takes a tour of the hall in his quick strides, it is hard to believe that this agile, cheerful man has seen Karnataka through all its turbulent phases — from under the British rule to Independence to the carving out of a Kannada identity.
Pivotal role
In a career spanning seven decades, the multi-faceted educationist, columnist, sportsman, administrator, lexicographer has brought out over 10 dictionaries. These compilations have played a pivotal role in the standardisation of the Kannada script.
Lokayukta Shivaraj V. Patil, who inaugurated the exhibition, called Mr. Venkatasubbaiah a wealth to society for his exceptional contributions to Kannada literature.
“He is… a walking encyclopaedia of Kannada culture,” said Mr. Patil. The photographs — both black-and-white and colour — document the life and times of the lexicographer, right from his schooldays in Mysore during the 1920s to his felicitation at the 2011 Kannada Sahitya Sammelan in Bangalore.
Celebration plans
While addressing the gathering of Kannada theatre personalities, writers and journalists, N. Ramanuja, chairperson of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan which organised the show, said the photo exhibition was to mark the start of the 100th year celebrations of Mr. Venkatasubbaiah next year.
