News and Pics from Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)

Mumbai, Jan 22: Two endowment lectures and the felicitation of 80-year-old litterateur Dr Srinivas Havanoor, were held recently at Karnataka Sangh auditorium under the joint aegis of the metro’s Karnataka Sangh, Mumbelaku Kannada Balaga, Dombivli, and Kannada Sangh.

Dr Havanoor, in his endowment lecture on ‘Classical status of Kannada’, explained how the Tamils managed to get classical status for their language by exerting pressure on the union government ahead of the polls. 

He also said that as per current regulations, classical status will be granted to any Indian language with just a history of two years instead of thousands of years. 

Dr Sunita Shetty delivering the G V Rangaswamy endowment lecture on ‘Similarities of Khandoba of Maharastra and Mallari of Karnataka’ stressed the scholar’s stance in this regard. The history of Mallari dates back to the 11th century while similar stories have prevailed since the 14th century, she said.

Dr Shetty also analyzed the similarities of the names Mallari–Martanda–Bhairava.  Bairava of Kannada has been illustrated as Bemmer in Tulu Nadu that refers to the Bunts community who were known as protectors of the villages that they lived in; Khandoba, Mailar, and Bairav, are distinctly found with swords in their hands, safeguarding their villages.

Dr Havanoor was felicitated by dignitaries and office-bearers of various Kannada organizations in the metro.

The programme was presided over by metro’s Karnataka Sangh president Manohar M Kori who also talked of the programmes scheduled for the golden jubilee celebrations of the Karnataka Sangh.

Karnataka Sangh secretary Omdas Kannangar and Mumbelaku Balaga Dr Girija Shastry compered the programme.