'Researchers lacking in discipline, devotion'

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JUNE 3. There is a dire need to instil discipline at the conceptual and execution levels for evolving a balanced perspective in Kannada research, the noted research scholar and President of the Kannada Shakti Kendra Dr. M. Chidananda Murthy has said.

He was speaking after receiving the prestigious Masti Literary Award from the Masti Venkatesha Iyengar Award Committee here today.

He said it was unfortunate to witness the dwindling diligence and waning devotion and conviction in the area of research. "I do not want to elaborate what is happening in this area. Recently, I had the privilege to browse through a printed copy of a researched work on poetry, which repeatedly claimed that "Kalidasa must have been influenced by Harihara." I noticed that the claim was conscious. I realised the overall situation," he explained.

Recalling the contribution of the stalwarts of Kannada literature, he said that persons such as Masti, Kuvempu, Prof. D.L.Narasimahchar and Prof.T.Venkannaiah were "walking gods who had the ability to convert mundane surroundings into a divine ambience through their scholarship and the virtues they represented." It was possible for them to do so due to their devotion and discipline.

Expressing his unhappiness over the reported interpretation of the social and cultural fabric of ancient India he said, of late, a section of the press was publishing reports on the caste system and related issues without understanding historical facts. Those who exhibited undue zeal in such interpretation should also understand that the social virtues projected in some European works, including those in ancient Greek such as the heroics of Herodotus, were base and horrifying.

Welcoming the gathering, the president of the award committee and writer, Mr. Mavinakere Ranganath, said the committee had selected Dr. Chidananda Murthy for the award considering his significant contribution to Kannada language and culture. He also thanked Prof. A.H.Rama Rao and Ms. Sudha Rama Rao of the Ramasudha Charitable Trust for enhancing the cash prize of the award from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000, and the NRI Kannada writer, Mr. P.N.Srinivas, for helping the award function. Dr. N.S. Taranath, Prof. M.P.L.Shastry, and the former Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority, Mr. G.Narayana, spoke. The noted lexicographer, Prof. G.Venkatasubbaiah, presided over the function. Prof. A.H.Rama Rao was present.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Here beggars are trained to be choosers
Next     : 3,000 litres of adulterated kerosene seized