Mysore/Mysuru: Regretting that the Government had failed in recognising and utilising the  scholarly knowledge of writer and former University of Mysore (UoM) Prasaranga Director Prof. C. Naganna, former UoM Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa observed that the society needed more scholars like Prof. Naganna. 

He was speaking after releasing Prof. Naganna’s ten works at a programme organised at Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS) in Manasagangothri here on Thursday.

The ten works released are: Varthamaanada Holalu, Arivina Harivu, Baanuli Bandhavya, Dina Dinada Diksoochi, Hetta Thayiya Nenedu, Kshanadodala Charitre, Munnudi Mukura, Suddiye Sahitya, Hariva Nadi Sakshi and Alabeda Kanda.

Maintaining that Prof. Naganna is a very humble human being, Prof. Rangappa said that Prof. Naganna, a versatile writer that he is, has written 55 Kannada books so far and has translated many top literary works written in other languages. He urged the Government to utilise his scholarly knowledge for the welfare of the society.

UoM Vice-Chancellor Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar, who presided, said that webinars have become the order of the day during the current COVID-19 pandemic. But still, physical seminars have been successful in retaining their charm, he added. 

Quoting an African saying, Prof. Hemantha Kumar said that the learned and the experienced should guide budding writers by constantly giving advice and suggestions. 

Stressing on the need for taking Literature and Science together, he observed that any one of two will be incomplete without the help of the other. 

Noting that Kuvempu’s poetry was filled with strength, he said that the scientific mindset of the great writer too was excellent. 

Prof. Hemantha Kumar also recalled Prof. Naganna’s service as a Kannada Consultative  Member of Bharatiya Jnanapeetha, Saraswathi Samman and Kendra Sahitya Academies and also as a Member of Karnataka Sahitya Academy.

UoM Registrar Prof. R. Shivappa, in his address, regretted that our society had failed in recognising Prof. Naganna’s incredible contribution to the literary world. 

He also opined that the quality of the works and not the number, that matters much in the society.

Karnataka Sahitya Academy Chairman Dr. B.V. Vasanthkumar, KIKS Director Prof. M.G. Manjunath, former KIKS faculty Dr. Neelagiri M. Talwar and others were present.