Mysuru: Renowned senior Kannada writer and poetess Vaidehi inaugurated Mysuru Dasara Kavigoshti-2026 by lighting the lamp and blowing a bugle at B.M. Sri Auditorium of Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS) at Manasagangothri campus in city yesterday.

Dasara Kavigoshti-2026 is titled as ‘Bahuroopi Kavigoshti’ as it is diverse in nature with Hasya-Chituku Goshti, Chiguru Kavigoshti, Yuva Kavigoshti, Janapada Kavigoshti and Pradhana Kavigoshti.

Addressing the gathering, Vaidehi said that mother is the first poet as she nurtures her children with songs and lullabies. “I salute the mother who showed the path of poetry to writers,” she added.

Stating that poetry evolves according to the grasping power of the writer, she said that there is a saying that we need inspiration to poetry but our happiness and insults also take the form of poetry without our knowledge.

“Poetry does not need big words. Simple words which convey the intended emotions effectively are enough. In Karnataka, Kannada should lead English. But we are not sowing the seeds of Kannada. How can we expect the growth of Kannada unless we sow seeds of Kannada and nurture them with care and love?” she asked.

“The exact meaning of poetry continuously haunts me. I wish Kannada language does not become a victim of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Let there be a poet in the heart of all of us. Our happiness and hurt feelings give birth to our language when we express our feelings. Sadly, we are moving away from our language. If we can’t love our mother tongue, we can’t love our State and country,” she concluded.

Chamaraja MLA K. Harishgowda said that Manasagangothri is a place which teaches us universal subjects and experts on all subjects can be found here.

Former MLC and actor ‘Mukhyamantri’ Chandru, University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. N.K. Lokanath, Dasara Kavigoshti Sub-Committee Deputy Special Officer Dr. M. Dasegowda, Working President Prof. Nanjaiah Honganoor, Secretary M.B. Anand, Prof. Triveni, KIKS faculty Dr. Umesh Bevinahalli and others were present.

The 5-day Kavigoshti featuring many sessions a variety of topics will conclude on Oct.17.