Pics: Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Dec 25: “Museums have been the saving grace of our times, when globalization, westernization, and modernization are threatening to endanger our culture. Museums have been attending to the work of conserving our culture, and taking it forward,” said Prof T C Shivashankara Murthy, vice chancellor of Mangalore University.
He was speaking after inaugurating the national level painting camp, ‘Drishti-Srishti’ at Sanchayanagiri in B C Road here on Saturday December 24. The camp, which is based on the life of valiant Tuluva queen, Rani Abbakka, will be on for five days.
He advised the young women of the 21st century to get inspiration out of the life and achievements of Rani Abbakka, who fought against the Portuguese for four decades. “We are in an era of knowledge explosion. Because of fast advances in all fields, culture faces the danger of becoming a casualty. Tukaram Poojary, who has pledged himself to the task of upholding our culture, which is facing risks from several angles, deserves wholehearted appreciation,” he lauded.
Adding further, Murthy hailed the concept of building the blocks of history through scenes taken of one’s life. “I know the painters who are participating in this camp will face several challenges, one of which is taking care not to distort history. I have full faith in their talent, and am sure that an art gallery which will a model for the whole country will come up at this venue,” he said.
Appreciating the functioning of Rani Abbakka Museum and Tulu Study Centre here, he said that the university is prepared to give academic accreditation to the centre, if it has plans to take up academic activities.
Renowned Kannada cine director, T S Nagabharana, who was the chief guest of the function, lamented that the society here is not aware how best the visual medium can be utilized. He expressed his concern about the use of visual medium only in a symbolic manner than exploring its full potentials. Nagabharana said that the people who dream about the future, should have proper knowledge of their past, lack of which robs them of the ability to live in the present. “The foundations of our cultural heritage should remain permanently. In this backdrop, this camp, being organized to present the woman power Rani Abbakka represented in a society –centric fashion, is appreciable,” he said.
Local MLA, B Ramanath Rai, who presided over the function, hailed Abbakka as an ideal leader who symbolizes the self respect of Tuluvas.
Coordinators of the camp, N S Pattar and Kandan G, apart from secretary of Tulu Study Centre, Prof Ashalata Suvarna , were present at the dais. Reception Committee president, A C Bhandary, welcomed. President of the centre, Tukaram Poojary, delivered introductory address. Prof Vrishabhraj Jain extended best wishes to participants. Secretary of the reception committee, Navaneet Hingani, proposed vote of thanks. Dr R Narasimha Murthy compered the programme.
Speaking to press persons later, Nagabharana revealed about his plans to bring before the people a piece of history in the form of a mega television series based on the life and achievements of Keladi Chennamma. He said that he has been studying about Chennamma since the last two years, and that no other achiever in history had been able to rule a province for 26 long years as Chennamma did. He revealed that this series will be brought to the people through Suvarna television channel.