Mysore/Mysuru: Former Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi Chairman Prof. Pradhan Gurudatta said that top Kannada literary works must be translated into other Indian languages as this will help in enriching Kannada.

He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Bharatiya Bhasha Utsava’ organised by Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada, Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), at JSS Arts, Commerce and Science college on Ooty Road here on Thursday.

Pointing out that Kannada is one of the oldest languages, Prof. Gurudatt said that the diversity in Indian literature is as much as in Indian languages. Highlighting the need for translating Kannada novels and other works into other Indian languages, he said that such a work will help in introducing Indian languages to the outside well and as well enrich them.

Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK) Project Director Prof. N.M. Talwar, in his address, said that the entire world is after Science and Technology. However, this is not wrong, he said.

Asserting that Unity is the Mantra of Indian languages, he said that Kannadigas are at the top regarding promotion of harmony. Rashtrakavi Kuvempu’s Vishwamanava message is an example of this, he added.

CIIL Director Prof. Shailendra Mohan, in his address, said that the Institute celebrates the birth anniversary of Subramanya Bharati, who was a great  poet, freedom fighter, social reformer and Multi-Linguist.

Pointing out that Subramanya Bharathi was known as ‘Bharathiyar’, ‘Mahakavi Bharathi’ etc., he said that the theme of this Bhasha Utsava is ‘Many Languages, One Expression’.

Prof. Lakshminarayan Arora spoke on the topic  ‘Indian Languages, Literary Works and Unity’.

Prizes were distributed to the winners of State-level debate contest organised as part of the event.

The winners are: R.V. Ananya of JSS College (first), N. Lakshmi of IGNOU (second) and R. Kusumabai of JSS College (third). B.G. Monika of Maharanis College for Women bagged the consolation prize.

JSS College of Arts, Commerce and Science Chief Executive Officer Prof. B.V. Sambashivaiah, Principal Dr. S. Pratibha, Controller of Exams Dr. B. Prabhuswamy, Kannada Department Head Dr. B.S. Sudeep and others were present.