Mysore/Mysuru: Stating that Gandhiji’s famous statement that he would speak from his grave even after death,  was relevant for all times, noted critic and Director, Centre for Gandhian Studies, Bangalore University, Prof. Nataraj Huliyar said that Gandhiji’s influence can be seen in almost all sectors. He was speaking on the topic ‘Gandhi Across Mediums of expression’ at the National Seminar organised as part of ‘Bahuroopi 2020’ at Mini Theatre premises yesterday.

Asserting that Gandhiji’s influence was all pervasive, Prof. Huliyar said that the Mahatma’s influence can be seen even in the ongoing  Anti-CAA protests. Noting that Gandhiji is the strength for agitating women, he said that the agitators are inspired by Gandhiji’s word that he would speak even from his grave.

Maintaining that Gandhi can be seen in all forms of literature, he called upon everyone to tread the path of the Mahatma. Highlighting the influence of Gandhiji in Kannada culture, he pointed out that noted writer Dr. Siddalingaiah had once said that he drew strength by reading books on Gandhi. 

Stating that Gandhiji’s vision can be clearly seen in Shivaram Karanth’s award-winning novels ‘Chomana Dudi’ and as well in most of writer Lankesh’s works, he opined that most of noted Kannada writers would agree in full with Gandhiji, while at the same time, it can also be said that those who disagree with the Mahatma cannot be called as great writers.

Observing that there are some confusions because Gandhiji is not read properly, Prof. Huliyar alleged that the then fundamentalists had made attempts to finish off Gandhi intellectually and such attempts have continued even today. Accusing some political parties of creating divisions between Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, he stressed on the need for shunning such false propaganda.

Recalling the efforts of B.V. Karanth in setting up Rangayana, he lauded the incumbent Director Addanda C. Cariappa for organising ‘Bahuroopi 2020′ with the theme ‘Gandhi Patha.’

As writer Dr. Prithvidatta Chandrashobhi, who was to deliver a talk on ‘Gandhi in Contemporary Perspective,’ could not make it to the event, his mother, Saraswathi, a retired Professor, read out the speech sent by him via e-mail.

Poet and thinker Prof. H.S. Shivaprakash from New Delhi, in his talk, said that Gandhiji has left behind a wonderful legacy, which we will have to carry forward without any deviation.

Underlining the need for translating more works of Gandhiji, he said that Kodagu has made a big contribution for enriching Kannada theatre culture, from where Addanda Cariappa comes from. He also complimented the Rangayana Director for choosing ‘Gandhi Patha’ as the theme for Bahuroopi.