Understanding the need to impart knowledge of Kannada to non-Kannadigas who are working across the State, Kannada Studies Chair (KSC-JNU) of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi has developed a website. According to Prof. Purushottama Bilimale, Chairman, KSC-JNU www.kannadakalike.org will be launched shortly.
“Except Hindi and Urdu languages, no other language has this kind of website,” said Prof. Bilimale, acknowledging the support extended by the Department of Kannada and Culture of Karnataka.
Unlike existing websites, which are text-based, this website helps in learning Kannada through videos, which are developed based on four primary skills of learning a language; listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Kannadakalike website has 30 videos of 4 to 6 minutes with a text of about 500 words. These videos have been shot in various parts of Karnataka. They will help in learning Kannada, besides understanding the rich cultural heritage of the land through brilliantly shot visuals. Videos are on various subjects including industry, politics, culture, land, region, folk forms, theatre, and tribals.
The international standard of imparting language education is being kept in mind while developing the website. While watching a video on Yakshagana, besides listening to the voice of Amrutha Someshwara, an expert in Yakshagana form, one can watch visuals of Yakshagana characters.
On clicking on Shishugeethegalu (children’s songs), one can listen to popular child poetry. "It is an attempt to teach Kannada besides opening a window on the land's intrinsic rich cultural heritage. Kannada alphabets and grammar are available on another side of the website," said Prof. Bilimale.
With the aim of promoting Kannada at both the national and international level, KSC-JNU is organising symposiums besides translating and publishing classical works such as Kavirajamargam , Vaddaradhane and Gadhayuddham in English to reach out to scholars, who want to understand the antiquity of Kannada. This website is another attempt in the direction. "Through this website, anyone interested in Kannada can easily learn Kannada and understand the essence of the land, language and culture," said Prof. Bilimale.
Audio books
At the same time, some important works of classical and modern Kannada literature are now available in audio book form. Thanks to the initiative of Kannada Book Authority (KBA). Literary buffs can now listen to works of Pampa, Kumaravyasa and Masti with the background of music and dramatic effects.
Audio books on select parts of Pampa Bharata , Aadipurana , Kumaravyasa Bharata , short stories of Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, Niranjana, Kodagina Gouramma, Beechi and B.G.L. Swamy were released recently. Audio books are being brought out with the contribution of a 14-member team that includes noted writer H.S. Venkatesha Murthy.
