English media, Facebook, driving people away from Kannada literature'

He was speaking after inaugurating the 8^th University level 'Vidyarthi Sahitya Sammelana', a literary meet for students organised by Mangalore University post graduate alumni association at University College, Mangalore, on Saturday.

Stating that although Kannada newspapers and magazines had been acting as a bridge between Kannada literature and the masses, people, especially in the urban areas, lost touch with Kannada literature with the advent of Englih media. “The English newspapers encourage consumerism and hardly focus on literature”, he opined.

Mr. Jogi said that it is also noteworthy that most prominent writers and literary figures hail from rural areas. “People in the rural areas are the ones who have firm interest in literature and that is why we find people from these areas shine in the field of literature”, he said.

Advising students to look for contentment in their literary works, Mr. Jogi said “One should focus on getting satisfaction even if five to six people read his work rather than aiming of becoming an overnight literary star with thousands of readers as his fan following”.

Advocating that one should make a deep study of literature, Mr. Jogi said that students must not pick their priorities on the basis of few readings. “If you say Tejaswi is your favourite writer, you must know all his works, his thinking, his philosophy…you must know that author through and through by reading all his works. Literature is as tough as medical science where you have to study the intricacies in detail”, he said.

Mr. Jogi also said that students must never complain of not finding topics to write on. “Not finding a topic is not a trait of a writer. There are hundreds of topics around us. Numerous incidents take place around us which we can convert into stories and be a story-teller. Don't we all use “Yen Kathe maraaya? (So what's the story?), here in Dakshina Kannada? Real life incidents are potential story-telling topics”, he said.

In his presidential address, Prof. K Chennappa Gowda, Folk Expert and Registrar, Mangalore University, said that memories and experiences are pivotal for a writer. “A writer should be able to relate incidents happening around him with himself”, he said.

Prize winning essays of students were presented by their respective authors in the Essay session. Usha Kattemane, Writer-Columnist , presided over the session.

The story session was presided over by Devu Hanehalli, Programme Director, Akashavani, Karwar while the poetry session was presided over by Dr Anand Khugvedi, Poet, Davanagere.

Students from various colleges affiliated to Mangalore University participated in the literary meet.