Mysore/Mysuru: ‘karnata,’ a pioneering research centre dedicated to the Classical Kannada language, literature and architecture, will be launched at an event to be held at 11.30 am tomorrow (Feb. 18) at Heritage House in Saraswathipuram, which will also serve as the organisation’s address and academic space.

This significant cultural initiative seeks to creatively nurture and make accessible the vast heritage of one of the most prolific literary and material cultures of the world, with a history stretching over 1500 years.

Conceived by RVS Sundaram, former Director of the Institute of Kannada Studies at the University of Mysore; Gil Ben-Herut, Professor and scholar of Sanskrit and Kannada at the University of South Florida; and Manish Maheshwari, a patron of Indian classical traditions, ‘karnata’ is supported by a team of distinguished scholars and connoisseurs who have come together to contribute in this project. The centre’s work is made possible through a generous grant from the Tattva Heritage Foundation.

‘karnata’ aims to democratise access to Classical Kannada texts and epigraphs through English translation projects, renderings in modern Kannada, and the creation of a searchable database of works and authors. This initiative is supplemented by a digitisation project, offering all digital materials as online open access to the public.

The centre also focuses on fostering learning and scholarship by providing academic resources, fellowships, and grants to students and researchers. It seeks to preserve and promote the region’s invaluable heritage through digitization, documentation, and indexing of literature, epigraphy, and ancient monuments, disseminating this archive through both digital and print mediums.

Moreover, ‘karnata’ is committed to cultivating active communities by organising reading groups, events, and building a dedicated resource centre, creating a vibrant ecosystem where the love for classical Kannada culture is shared and celebrated.

This marks the beginning of an ambitious journey to safeguard, revitalise and promote the Classical Kannada heritage for coming generations.

For details, contact: RVS Sundaram on Mob: 98440-15759.