Mysuru: Both Kannada language and literature are in danger, said Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS) Director Prof. Nilagiri M. Talwar.

He was speaking after inaugurating the State-level Literature Workshop titled ‘Literature Studies, New Possibilities,’ organised by the Kannada Department of St. Joseph’s First Grade College at its premises, here recently.

Earlier, when people heard that littérateurs like Kuvempu, Bendre, Masti were coming, they would flock to the events just to see them. They would gather to listen to Kannada literature, poetry, seminar and debates. However, in the present day atmosphere, if star actors are coming, only then the people come in large numbers but senior Kannada littérateurs are completely ignored. Hence, Kannada language and literature are fading, he regretted.

A few think that everything is sacred about the work tradition or heritage and belittle anything that is modern. A few others feel that everything modern only is all right. Both the ideas are wrong and this practise should be shunned.

The good qualities of tradition and heritage and the advantages of modernism should be taken and a new course charted and only this will lead to progress and development of Kannada language and literature,  he said.

Mysore Diocesan Educational  Society Secretary Fr. Vijay Kumar, Chief Executive Officer Prof. C.M. Mani, First Grade College Principal Dr. V. Niveditha, KIKS retired Professor, Prof. N.S. Taranath and others were present.