Kannada Sahitya parishat to step into its centenary year today

Kannada Sahitya Parishat, the representative body of Kannadigas, will step into its centenary year on Monday. The parishat has plans to organise yearlong programmes to mark the occasion.

According to parishat president Pundalika Halambi, over 100 landmark Kannada works will be published and a memorial constructed on the parishat premises to mark the occasion.

Mr. Halambi told

The Hindu that inauguration of the centenary year celebrations would be held in Dharwad in June. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would inaugurate the programmes. A two-day seminar on the past, present and future of Kannada language would be held on the occasion. The valedictory of the centenary year celebrations is planned in Mysore.

District and taluk units of the parishat would hold lectures on the contributions of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, who was instrumental in establishing the parishat, he said.

How it all began

Kannada speaking people were spread across various provinces during the British rule. Understanding the need to unite Kannadigas and protect the language, Sir M. Visvesvaraya, the then Dewan of Mysore, started Mysore Economic Conference and formed a study circle headed by writer H.V. Nanjundaiah.

The conference, at a meeting, held on May 5, 1915 on the Government High School grounds here and attended by litterateurs from various parts of Kannada speaking areas and other important personalities, agreed to establish Karnataka Sahitya Parishat with a mandate to conserve and promote Kannada language and literature. Nanjundaiah was unanimously elected the first president of the parishat. In 1938, the parishat’s name was changed to Kannada Sahitya Parishat. The logo of the parishat was designed under the leadership of doyen of Kannada literature B.M. Srikantaiah. The practice of holding annual Kannada Sahitya Sammelan commenced in 1935. Construction of the sahitya parishat building was completed in 1938.

“The task of publishing 100 landmark Kannada works is progressing fast. Over 60 writers had accorded permission and 25 works were in the printing stage,” Mr. Halambi said.

Documentary

Music composer Hamsalekha is directing a 10-episode documentary on hundred years of the parishat. As part of the celebrations, a two-day Halmidi festival has been planned in Bangalore. Halmidi inscription of 450 AD is the earliest known inscription in Kannada.