Mysuru: “The untimely death of Prof. Vasu  Malali has left her work ‘Adunika Karnataka Charithre’ incomplete and Kannada Sahitya Parishat should come forward to complete it,” said Hampi University Vice Chancellor Prof. Navada.

He was speaking after presenting the Prof. Vasu Malali award and releasing her works at a programme organised by Malali’s family and Karnataka Vichara Vedike at a private hotel in the city recently.

Expressing his anguish, he said that Vasu Malali had told him that she had completed almost 90 per cent of the work on Adunika Karnataka Charithre and in spite of reminding the Kannada Sahitya Parishat to finish the remaining part of the work, they have not shown any interest.

Sanskrit University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Padma Shekar said that even after she (Vasu Malali) has passed away, her thinking and ideas remain with us and added that she was a person who always talked straight and did not believe in mincing words. Even though she had studied in Kannada medium, she had excelled in English too, she said and added that Vasu Malali had written for many English films and also worked as a Director and earned a good name.

Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Marithibbegowda who presided said that Vasu Malali in her short life span had identified herself working for the cause of society. The family of Vasu by identifying Ayub Ahmed who is involved in performing the last rites of unclaimed dead bodies and presenting an award is indeed very laudable,   he added.

Littérateur Prof. Malali Vasanthkumar father of Vasu Malali said that history was her favourite subject. Hence, a scholarship in her name will be instituted in the University of Mysore History Department to be given to the student who scores the highest marks, he announced.

The works of Vasu Malali titled ‘Prof. Vasu Malali Barahagalu’ was released by journalist Rashmi Kaujalgi. Ayub Ahmed, the driver who transports unclaimed dead bodies was presented a cash award of Rs.10,000 and ‘Vasu Malali’ award was presented by Taranini Chidananda, daughter of  Kuvempu.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President M. Chandrashekar, Maddikere Gopal, littérateurs G.S. Bhat, Prof. N. Giri Gowda, Prof. Mohan Paleyagar, Hiremarali Dharmaraj, Prasanna Hegde, Dr. Sathya Ranna and others were present.