A tribute in flowers to Kuvempu

Poet-laureate chosen as central theme of I-Day flower show at Lalbagh

Kuvempu

Rashtrakavi Kuvempu will be offered a tribute in flowers at the 205th Lalbagh Flower Show to be held from August 4 to 15. The poet-laureate will be the inspiration for the Independence Day flower show and also it’s central theme, according to officials.

This is the first time a personality has been selected, instead of well-known buildings, as the theme of Lalbagh flower show.

“We are thankful to officials of the Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Pratishthana and various writers of the State who put the proposal across to the Horticulture ministry to have a special on Kuvempu to commemorate the 50th year of conferring of Jnanpith Award on him — a first for Karnataka — for his epic narrative

Sri Ramayana Darshanam ,” said P.C. Ray, Commissioner, Department of Horticulture.

Following a joint decision by the Mysore Horticulture Society and the department in this regard, Lalbagh officials are now planning an interesting angle to have the best of Kuvempu represented in multiple ways at the show. The flower show will mirror his personality as a Kannada novelist, poet, playwright, and critic. There will be large spaces for a photo feature and for displaying models of his literary works, the lyrics of Naada Geethe and Raitha Geethe, and his Vishwa Manava Sandesha.

“This time, a mini-Malnad will be created, complete with a replica of the Jog Falls, where the verses of Kuvempu will be aesthetically brought out. Kuvempu’s house at Kuppalli in Shivamogga district will be replicated with flowers and fruits; Kavishaila, the rock monument dedicated to the poet, will also be recreated florally,” said M. Jagadeesh, joint director, Horticulture, Parks and Gardens.

There will be talks and discussions on major works of Kuvempu, including

Sri Ramayana Darshanam ,

Kanooru Subbamma Heggadithi and

Malegalalli Madumagalu , apart from recital of his poems, he said.