Mysore/Mysuru: With Poet Laureate Kuvempu scripted ‘Kannada Nadageethe’ having completed 100 years in 2024, the University of Mysore(UoM), in association with Dasara Kavigoshti Sub-Committee, will be holding ‘Nadageethe-100 Sambhrama’ at a programme to take place at the Open Air Theatre in Manasagangothri campus at 9.30 am  on Sept. 23.

Announcing this at a press meet at the Open Air Theatre here this morning, UoM Registrar M.K. Savitha said that Rashtrakavi Kuvempu had written Nadageethe (Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujathe, Jayahe Karnataka Mathe…) in 1924 itself when he was 20 years old under his then pen-name ‘Kishora Chandravani.’ This Nadageethe was  endorsed by Kannada Sahitya Parishat in 1971  and officially adopted as the State Anthem in 2004, marking the birth centenary celebrations of the Poet Laureate, she said.

Pointing out that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will take part in the chorus singing of the Nadageethe (which is of 2.5 minutes duration) to be held at 9.30 am on Sept. 23, Savitha said, about 20,000 college students will be taking part in the event, in celebration of the centenary of the Nadageethe.

Following the celebration, the 5-day Dasara Kavigoshti (Poets Meet) will also be inaugurated at the venue in the presence of CM Siddaramaiah, she said adding that a rehearsal of Nadageethe will be held at the Open Air Theatre on Sept. 22.

The Dasara Kavigoshti Sub-Committee Working President and KIKS Director Prof. N.K. Lolakshi, who also addressed the press meet, said that the 5-day Dasara Kavigoshti will take place at B.M. Shri auditorium in KIKS (Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies) premises, Manasagangothri, from Sept. 23 to 27.

Noted writer Dr. Aravind Malagatti will inaugurate the event at the Open Air Theatre in the presence of CM Siddaramaiah soon after the conclusion of ‘Nadageethe-100 Sambhrama’ event at 10.30 am on Sept. 23.

The theme of this year’s Kavigoshti is ‘Pancha Kavyadouthana,’ featuring Pravasa Kavigoshti, Prachura Kavigoshti, Prajwala Kavigoshti, Pratibha Kavigoshti and Prabuddha Kavigoshti. Several noted poets and writers from across the State will be taking part in this 5-day event, which features several sessions and seminars, Prof. Lolakshi pointed out.

The Sub-Committee office bearers Somashekar, who is also the MCC Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), Chetan Babu, KIKS faculty Prof. Jyothi and  Prof. Geetha, NSS Officer Lingaraju, UoM EMRC Director Prof. Swapna Nayak, retired Police Inspector Siddaraju and others were present at  the press meet.