Mangaluru, Nov 14: The three-day Kannada literary and cultural extravaganza, Alva's Nudi Siri-2014, inaugurated by well-known Kannada writer Na D'Souza amidst colourful settings gave an inkling of what was in store over the next three days for literature and culture enthusiasts in Moodbidri on Friday.
A procession took place with Kannada books being carried in a palanquin, followed by vibrant folk forms, accompanied Nudi Siri literary programme president Nadoja Dr Siddalingaiah, a noted Kannada poet and thinker.
In his presidential address Dr Siddalingaiah shed light on the challenges and threats being faced by the Kannada land, language and people in recent years and urged the people to be united to find a solution for their problems.
Dr Siddalingaiah, who laid emphasis on learning and promoting Kannada language and culture condemned the union government's move to impose Hindi in Karnataka.
Stating that religions and languages should unite people instead of dividing them, he said that we should identify ourselves as Indians and Kannadigas. He also expressed happiness over the peaceful coexistence of local languages such as Konkani, Beary and Tulu with Kannada in this region.
Urging the government to take necessary measures to punt an end to the superstitions and various kinds of social evils in Karnataka, he said that the enactment of the anti-superstition law is need of the hours.
Indirectly criticizing a ritual practiced in Subramanya Temple in Dakshina Kannada where devotees roll over food left over by Brahmins on plantain leaves, he said that “Made Snana” should be curbed by the government.
Stating that such practices were “neither religious nor healthy”, he declared “I oppose any superstitious practice that brings down the dignity of human beings”. He clarified he was not opposed to religious beliefs and practices that enhanced people's self-confidence and morality.
Mr. Siddalingaiah also regretted that some women are kept in isolated sheds outside their villages during menstruation, even today. He was also concerned about physical attacks on women and sought harsher punishment of the guilty.
The poet, who is also Director of Ambedkar Study and Research Centre, Bangalore University, sought greater use of Kannada in administration and pleaded against closure of Government schools under the pretext of less patronage.
He said the recent order of the Supreme Court that suggested that medium of instruction should be left to the choice of parents would adversely affect growth of Kannada language and urged the State Government to appeal against the order.
Speaking after inaugurating the programme organized by Alva's Education Foundation Mr D'Souza said that Nudi Siri has been giving a good platform for spreading Kannada art and literature throughout the world when the language is facing threats from several quarters.
He blamed politicians for present day evils afflicting the society but held that the silence of writers and poets for heightened tensions.
Chairman of Alva's Foundation, M. Mohan Alva organised the Nudisiri. Also present were Minister K. Abhayachandra Jain, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.
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