Mysore/Mysuru: K.R. MLA T.S. Srivatsa said that the erstwhile Mysuru ruler Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar had made immense contribution to the field of literature during his rule.

He was speaking after inaugurating the first Muktaka Sahityotsava, organised jointly by Mysuru District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Karnataka Muktaka Sahitya Academy Trust, Himalaya Pratishtana and Rotary Club of Mysore Stars at District Sahitya Bhavan in Vijayanagar here yesterday.

Maintaining that Nalwadi had made great contributions to Kannada literature, he said it was Nalwadi who established the Kannada Sahitya Parishat. Noting that it is meaningful that  Muktaka Sahityotsava is being held marking Nalwadi’s birth anniversary, Srivatsa opined that scripting of Muktaka Sahitya is not that easy.

However, it is satisfactory to note that there are several writers who have made a mark in Muktaka Sahitya, he added.

Senior Citizens Forum Founder M. Prabhuswamy in his address, said that literature plays a crucial role in the making of a healthy society. Literature is symbolic of a happy and prideful literary society,he added.

Senior lecturer S. Swamy in his address, said that literature augurs the welfare of everyone Apart from their profession, everyone should develop a liking for music and literature and engage themselves in such fields.

Writers H.V. Nagaraj Rao, Dr. Leela Prakash and K.P. Manjunath too spoke.

Senior Muktaka writer 81-year old Ramprasad was felicitated on the occasion. Also, veteran writer Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar (CPK) conferred ‘Rotary Club of Mysore Stars’ award to achievers from different fields — K. Lakshmi, Nagamma, Parvathamma, Satyanarayan Kamath, Dr. Leela Prakash and Pratima.

‘Kamala Pushpagalu,’ a collection of Muktakas and a Souvenir were brought out on the occasion.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal, Vice-President Zakir Hussain, writers Kamala Rajesh and Dr. S.P. Yoganna, Senior theatre personality Rajashekar Kadamba, social worker Dr. K. Raghuram, former District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President M. Chandrashekar, Rotary Club of Mysore Stars President Santosh Gowda, N. Ananth, Rohini Shekar, Malathi Krishnaprasad, Rajesh and others were present.