Mysuru: Veteran scholar Dr. Seetaram Jahagirdar said that the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK) in the city should be granted autonomous status, as it will be of much help for the growth of the language.

He was speaking at the ‘Classical Kannada Language Status Recognition Day’ celebration at CESCK in Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) campus on Hunsur Road here yesterday.

Analysing Kannada’s cultural traditions in the backdrop of ancient poetry and lifestyle, Jahagirdar observed that the activities and works related to promotion of Kannada would gain further momentum if autonomy is granted to the Centre.

CIIL Director Prof. Basavaraj Kodagunti, who presided, stressed on the need for engaging with top Institutions like IIT for bonding Classical Kannada with Science and Technology.

“Classical Kannada Studies should involve ‘Shastradhyayana’ (study of traditional Indian Treatises and Scriptures) and must become more expansive by encouraging new generation of researchers,” he pointed out.

CESCK Planning Director Prof. K. Ravindranath, immediate past Planning Director Prof. N.M. Talwar, CIIL Classical Languages Section Co-ordinator L.R. Premkumar, Senior Fellow  Sannapapaiah and others were present on the occasion.