Mysuru: A five-day workshop on Kannada Mahakavyagalu-Likhita Mattu Moukika Parampare Taulanika Adhyayana (Kannada Epics-Comparative study of written and oral traditions) organised by Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada, Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) commenced at CIIL premises on Hunsur road here this morning.

About 50 Kannada Professors and Research Scholars are participating in the workshop featuring various sessions focusing on Kannada epics and related subjects.

Inaugurating the programme,  former KSOU Vice-Chancellor Dr. B.A. Vivek Rai opined that oral tradition is very important before going to the written pattern in Kannada language. He felt that folklore should come under the ambit of Classicial Kannada for broader learning and discussion.

Referring to innumerable Ph.D holders coming out of Universities, Vivek Rai regretted that research was becoming rather repetitive in nature with no originality or innovation. He lauded the workshop which provides a platform for exchange of new ideas.

Presiding over the programme, CIIL Director Dr.D.G. Rao observed that the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada was not being fully utilised by researchers. He asserted that the Centre was fully equipped to meet the requirements of classical language.