Mangalore: Cyclist driven by passion for Kannada undertakes state tour

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Feb 20: Preparations for the 81st annual Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, which is scheduled to be held at Haveri, are still at a nascent stage. However, a Kannada enthusiast from Haveri is already on a mission to share his joy and strong love for Kannada, by undertaking a tour of the state in his thoroughly decorated bicycle.

Gopal is driven by the urge to share the elation at the decision to hold the next Sammelan in his home town, as well as to propagate use of Kannada. He plans to cover all the 30 districts of the state on his two-wheeler. Gopal has already covered 14 districts, and after touching Moodbidri on Wednesday, moved towards Mangalore.

Gopal and his bicycle seem to have dipped in an ocean of affection for Kannada. The backside rim of his bicycle sports 30 flags representing 30 districts, while the national flag flutters in front. The Kannada flag is hoisted on his head in the form of a cap, with a shawl of the same colour adorning his shoulder. He wears yellow shirt and red trousers, and his appearance, together with his bicycle, are sure to compel people to stop and take notice.

Gopal, who has completed pre university education, says this is a small service he wants to render to the society to express how his heart throbs for Kannada, and hopes that his effort would be able to kindle some awareness about the richness of Kannada language and culture. He explains that when undergoing training to work as assistant film director at Bangalore, he cultivated the habit of reading Kannada books. After gaining some knowledge about the history, heritage, and culture of Kannada, a desire to visit important historical sites of Karnataka, main towns of every district, and religious places of the state, took roots in his mind. Affection towards Kannada, which was naturally existent in his heart, gave shape to a plan, and the news about his hometown having been chosen as next venue of Kannada Sahitya Sammelana gave fillip to his latent desire.

Gopal began his historic journey from Haveri on January 12, 2014. He has covered Bidar, Gulbarga, Bellary, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Belgaum, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, and Udupi districts, before entering Dakshina Kannada. He plans to visit holy places like Subrahmanya and Dharmasthala before embarking on his tour of other districts. Wherever he goes, Gopal makes it a point to inform the locals about the uniqueness of the coming Sahitya Sammelan planned at his native place, and shares with them the history of Haveri. He mostly relies on temples and Mutts for food requirements and visiting eateries rarely when no other arrangement is possible. He plans to complete his tour in about four months.

Gopal says that he has taken up this journey on bicycle because of the greatness of Karnataka, uniqueness of every district, a sense of celebration arising out of the Sahitya Sammelan being held at his native place, and insatiable urge to spread awareness about his mother tongue.