Mysore/Mysuru: In what may be a song to the ears of literary lovers, especially of Poet Laureate Kuvempu, the State Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, has positively responded to the demand of Chamaraja MLA K. Harishgowda to develop ‘Udayaravi’ residence of Kuvempu at V.V. Puram in city as Memorial and Museum.

Minister Tangadagi came out with the above reply, while responding to the query of MLA Harishgowda, during the Special Session of the State Legislative Assembly in Bengaluru yesterday.

Tangadagi, who assured to take adequate decision after discussing with the Chief Minister, recalled that, during 2018-19 State Budget, it had been announced to conserve the residence of Kuvempu and develop the same as a Memorial, to reach the values propagated by the poet laureate to the coming generation.

Tarini Chidananda Gowda, the daughter of Kuvempu, has laid down certain conditions to pursue the proposal, before handing over the residence to transform the place into a Memorial. The decision will be taken after consulting Tarini and Chidananda Gowda, the son-in-law of Kuvempu, added Tangadagi.

Harmony Walk

A Harmony Walk has been organised in the city tomorrow at 3 pm from St. Philomena’s Church to Gandhi Square in the city, to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and to propagate the message of retaining Karnataka as the ‘Garden of Peace of All’, given by Kuvempu.

Various progressive organisations, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha, trade unions, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS), Mysore University Researchers Association,  Dalit Vidyarti Okkuta, Karnataka Rajya Mahila Dourjanya Virodhi Okkuta, Indian Students Federation, INSAF Mysuru, pro-Kannada organisations, Samudaya  Mysuru and amateur theatre troupes, have come together to host the walk.

The walk will pass through Masjid-E-Azam, Ashoka Road and Town Hall, before culminating at Gandhi Square, where the floral tributes will be paid to the statue of Gandhiji. Songs highlighting harmony will be rendered on the occasion.

CPK chairs meet

Veteran writer Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar (CPK) has made a strong pitch to declare ‘Udayaravi’ residence of Kuvempu as a ‘National Memorial’.

He was chairing a meeting of thinkers and leaders of several organisations, organised by Karnataka Kavalu Pade, in association with Udayaravi Kuvempu Smaraka Samiti, at Mysuru District Kannada Sahitya Parishat Bhavan, Vijayanagar in city yesterday.

CPK, lamenting over the proposal moving at a snail’s pace, said, neither the Government nor the people are interested in developing Kuvempu’s residence as a Memorial. The meeting should have witnessed the participation of more number of leaders, writers and thinkers, but unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of interest in the same.

M. Mohan Kumar Gowda, President of Karnataka Kavalu Pade and Udayaravi Kuvempu Smaraka Samiti, said that a memorandum will be submitted to the Governor, Chief Minister and District Minister in this regard, to take a decision on developing ‘Udayaravi’ as Memorial in another 2 to 3 months.

President of Karnataka Navanirmana Sene Bheema Shankar Patil said, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hailing from Mysuru, a decision should be taken in favour of making ‘Udayaravi,’ a Memorial.  While the residence of another prominent Kannada writer Da.Ra. Bendre in Dharwad has been developed in the interest of literary lovers, there seems to be a neglect in the matters related to Kuvempu, he rued.

Mysuru District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal said, it is ironical that, a movement has to be launched to develop Kuvempu’s house as a Memorial. If the Government fails to do so, those having willingness shall come together to develop the Memorial, he said.

President of Karnataka Yuva Sene Ramprasad, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) District President Rangaiah, leaders Dairy Venkatesh, Bellale Bettegowda, Adamya Chandru, Vidyasagar & Arvind Sharma were present.