Mysuru/Mysore: A Five-day workshop on ‘Keerthana Sahitya: Marga Mattu Desi,’ organised by the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK) for Kannada teachers, researchers and scholars, began at the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL)                                                auditorium on Hunsur Road here this morning.

Speaking after inaugurating the Seminar, multi-lingual scholar Prof. RVS Sundaram said that the concept of Marga and Desi very much applies to Kannada literature and in this backdrop, the workshop assumes significance.

Observing that Kannada writers write with an intention of covering people from all languages, while this is not the case in respect of most Tamil and other language writers, Prof. Sundaram said that ‘Kaviraja Marga’ holds key for Kannada Vachana Sahitya and Keerthana Sahitya.

Maintaining that Vachana Sahitya and Keerthana Sahitya have a special place in Kannada Literature, he likened Keerthana Sahitya to ‘Bahuroopi,’ meaning that the literary form is multi-faceted.

Stating that women are respected the most in Kannada literature, he said that  perhaps the number of women Vachanakaras appearing in Vachana Sahitya is unmatched in any other literature in the world. 

Noting that there is very much to learn from Keerthana Shitya, he hoped that the workshop will enlighten the people on the richness of Keerthana and Vachana Sahitya.

CIIL Director Prof. D.G. Rao presided. CESCK Project Director Prof. K.R. Durgadas, faculty Prof. Fernandes,Convenor Dr. Malini N. Abhyankar, Scholar Taltaje Vasanth Kumar and others were present.

About 60 Kannada teachers, researchers and scholars from the State are taking part in this five-day Workshop which concludes on Feb.28. The workshop features lecture sessions, presentation of papers etc.

Vidwan Vidyabushana to perform tomorrow: Sangeetha Vidwan Vidyabhushana will present a Keerthana Concert at CIIL auditorium at 2.30 pm tomorrow (Feb.25).