Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree has said that the State government will come out with a cultural policy soon. The process of collecting suggestions from writers, intellectuals and cultural ambassadors from across the State was under way she said while inaugurating the 124th foundation day celebrations of Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangh here on Saturday evening.
The Minister said that efforts were being made to get funds from the Union government due for Kannada after it was accorded classical language status.
She said that steps were being taken to release pension for various artistes following a discussion she had had with the Chief Minister. Ms. Umashree said that directors of Rangayana had resigned and steps would be taken to appoint new directors at the earliest.
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Terming Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangh as a “temple of Kannada”, the Minister said that it was difficult to sum up the contributions of the sangha in words. Recalling the fight of Kannada writers and activists for the sake of Kannada, the Minister said that the fight for development would get a further boost if the activists followed the path of the earlier leaders.
Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangh president Patil Puttappa urged the Minister to increase the honorarium given to artistes. “The government pays meagre honorarium to the artistes. At least, Rs. 10,000 honorarium should be given to the artistes,” he said.
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Mr. Puttappa said that the government should teach English as a subject in schools and English should not be used as a medium in teaching.
Releasing a Kannada book, Samskrutika Dhruvataregalu, by Anil Desai, Chief Executive Officer of Roerich and Devika Rani Estate Board Manu Baligar said that despite having a long history, Kannada was facing several threats.
Ms. Umashree and Mr. Baligar were felicitated on behalf of the sangh. General Secretary of the sangh Shankar Halagatti and executive committee member Mohan Nagammanavar spoke.