Mysore/Mysuru: Dr. H.V. Nagaraja Rao, reputed Sanskrit scholar and columnist, released 10 drama works translated from Sanskrit to Kannada by Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar (CPK) at a function jointly organised by District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Rangayana and Kannada Sahitya Kalakoota at B.V. Karanth Ranga Chavadi in Rangayana premises recently.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Nagaraja Rao said he was happy to release the books — Bhatta Narayana’s Veni Samhara, Sri Harsha’s Ratnavali, Nagananda & Priyadarshika, Bhasa’s Swapnavasadatta, Pratigna Yowgandharayana, Pancharatra & Oorubhanga, Bhavabooti’s Uttararamacharita and Kalidasa’s Abhignana Shakuntala.

Of these, Bhasa’s 4, Sri Harsha’s 3 and one each of Bhatta Narayana, Bhavabhooti and Kalidasa have been translated by Dr. CPK according to the present situation.

“Hundred years ago, Basavappa Shastry translated Abhignana Shakuntala from Sanskrit to Kannada and it suited his period. But, as time changes, our spoken language also gets changed and keeping this in view, veteran  litterateur Dr.CPK has brilliantly translated the Sanskrit works,” opined Dr. Rao.

Observing that Basavappa Shastry had beautifully narrated a situation in the original Sanskrit drama Abhignana Shakuntala, where Kanva Maharshi sees off his daughter Shakuntala to her husband’s house, Dr.Rao said that the same situation has been described by Dr.CPK which is in tune with the present time, in Kannada. This shows that there is nothing wrong in translating historical drama and novels from time to time, he stated.

Rangayana Director Addanda C. Cariappa presided. Kannada Sahitya Kalakoota President M. Chandrashekar delivered keynote address. District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal, Tanumana Publisher Manasa and Senior theatre activist Rajashekara Kadamba were present.