Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddharamaiah speaking after inaugurating the mega Kannada literature festival said that it was one of the best moments of his life.

Addressing a huge gathering this morning at the Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Stage that was set up inside the Rajarishi Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Mahamantapa at Maharaja’s College Grounds, Siddharamaiah said that Mysuru was a place that gave him “deeksha” in Kannada. He recalled the contributions of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar in the development of Kannada.

Taking the names of Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, B.M. Shrikantaiah, T.N. Shrikantaiah, Ha.Ma. Nayak, G.S. Shivarudrappa, S.L. Bhyrappa, Alanahalli Krishna and other litterateurs who hailed from Mysuru, the CM said that Mysuru’s contribution to Kannada literature was tremendous.

Prior to the inauguration, 83 artistes headed by singer Amma Ramachandra rendered the ‘Naada Geethe’ and ‘Raitha Geethe’ after which District in-Charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa delivered the welcome speech.

More than 25,000 people had assembled at the venue to witness the inaugural event.