Mysuru: Renowned Folk scholar Dr. Go.Ru Channabasappa has said that there should be no cheap writings that divide the people under the pretext of creating awareness among the people.

He was delivering the felicitation address at a programme organised to felicitate writer Prof. Maleyur Guruswamy on his 70th birthday at Kalamandira here on Sunday.

Pointing out that just as the society respects the writers, it is the responsibility of the littérateurs to reciprocate the same to the society by coming up with good literary works, Channabasappa regretted the tendency to divide the society in the name of creating awareness.

Noting that Prof. Maleyur Guruswamy never attempted to please anyone, he said that Guruswamy’s works always aimed at the welfare of society.

Stating that Guruswamy has given out his best in all forms of literature, he said that Guruswamy has dedicated his entire life to the literary world.

Emphasising on the need for publishing historical encyclopaedia of every village in the State, Channabasappa said such encyclopaedias will help the students and researchers a lot.

He urged the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Sahitya Academy and Universities to come up with an appropriate plan for publishing an encyclopaedia covering all the villages of the State.

Prof. Maleyur Guruswamy couple were felicitated.

Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, Kanakagiri Jain Kshetra Seer Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji, Bebi Mutt Seer Trinetra Mahanta Shivayogi Swamiji graced the occasion.

MP R. Dhruvanarayan, former MLC Thontadarya, former MLA S. Balaraj and others were present on the occasion.

Later taking part in an interaction, Prof. Maleyur Guruswamy said that District in-Charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa had advised him not to enter politics for any reason.

Recalling that he had got an opportunity to contest against M. Mahadev (Benki Mahadev) from Nanjangud on a Samata Party ticket, Prof. Guruswamy said that Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa after coming to know of this, explained him about the challenges in the political world and advised him against entering politics.

Maintaining that he is not binded by religion, Prof. Guruswamy said there were no photos of any Gods in his house and his only possession was the  ‘Paduka’ of Sri Shivaratri Rajendra Swamiji.

Prof. Champa inaugurates programme

Earlier in the day, renowned littérateur Dr. Chandrashekar Patil (Champa), who has been designated to chair the 83rd Akhila Bharath Kannada Sahitya Sammelana inaugurated the programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Champa said that equality, humanity and creativity is left ideology and Prof. Maleyur Guruswamy had all these qualities to be termed as a leftist.

Expressing concern over politics of today, Champa said what was urgently needed now was politics of inclusiveness and Basava Dharma always stood for social inclusiveness.  He further said that it was necessary for everyone to join hands to find solutions for the complex situation that the society was facing today.

Writer Chinnaswamy Vaddagere in his keynote address, said that Prof. Maleyur Guruswamy can be termed as a leftist as he followed left ideology in his public life.

Recalling Prof. Guruswamy’s growth as a writer, Champa said that Guruswamy was a columnist in ‘Sankramana’ paper. Highlighting Prof. Guruswamy’s association with Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Champa noted that Kannada Literary meets have come up with the right messages to the society in the last   ten years.

MLA Vasu who released a book titled ‘Maleyuru Guruswamy Baduku-Baraha,’ authored by Dr. Mahadevaswamy Heggothara, said that Prof. Guruswamy has groomed many individuals to  become writers and has a large following. Vasu recalled that Prof. Guruswamy had dedicated his work titled ‘Kapile Haridalu Kadalige’ to a pourakarmika woman, which itself explains his concern for the lower strata of the society.

Sugar and Small Scale Industries Minister Dr. Geetha Mahadevaprasad presided. Hosamutt Seer Chidananda Swamiji, Vatal Mutt Seer Siddalinga Shivacharya Swamiji graced the occasion. Prof. Maleyur Guruswamy, felicitation committee office-bearers Helavarahundi Siddappa, M. Chandrashekar and others were present.