Mysuru :
The second and concluding day of the two-day State-level Kodava Sahitya Samskruthika Mela organised by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, Madikeri, in association with Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, at the Scouts and Guides Grounds behind the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office here, began with Kavigoshti (poets meet) this morning.
Poet Kiriyamada Raj Kushalappa of Hudikeri recited poems on ‘Kodava land’, while poetess Mukkatira Akkamma Nanjappa from Ammatti recited poems with the theme ‘Mother’ and poetess Maluvanda Nalini Bindu from Arameri, recited poems on ‘Selfless service’.
Senior writer and poetess Badakadamanda Kasthuri Govindammayya, chaired the Kavigoshti session. Commenting on the recited poems, Kasthuri Govindammayya said that Raj Kushalappa’s poems highlighted the sacred relationship between the mother and land.
Observing that it was fortunate to be born in Kodagu, which is a rich mix of nature and unique culture, she regretted the migration of Kodavas to far off places.
Noting that Akkamma Nanjappa’s poems were based on the theme ‘Mother’ and focussed on the hardships faced by a mother in bringing up her children, she lamented the growing tendency of children sending their aged parents to old age homes, with least regard for them.
Bemoaning the declining interest among Kodavas, especially the younger generation, for Kodava Sahitya, Govindammayya cautioned that Kodava Sahitya would lose its identity if immediate measures were not taken for attracting the youth towards Kodava Literature and Culture.
The Kavigoshti was followed by a seminar in which senior advocate Pandanda D. Medappa presented a paper titled ‘Varthamanathara Kodag’, while Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah presented a paper titled ‘Kodavada Samskruthi.’
Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief Kaliyantanda B. Ganapathy, who presided over the seminar, said that Kodagu has unique geographical features, which needs to be preserved at any cost. He was summing up the talks given by P.D. Medappa and Lovely Appaiah.
Regretting that not much was being done for retaining Kodagu’s unique identity and culture, which he said was fast changing, Ganapathy called for serious thoughts over the issue at least in the future.
Highlighting the need for the involvement of more youths in politics in order to fight for the geographical identity of Kodagu district and for protecting the political rights of the Kodavas and other 18 Kodava language speaking people in Kodagu, Ganapathy urged the youngsters to be politically conscious. He called upon the youth to join any political party and strive to identify themselves in politics. The valedictory of the two-day event will take place later this evening.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 13th, 2016
