Bengaluru: Writer Veena Shantheshwara, folk scholar Go.Ru. Channabasappa, veteran scholar Ham. Pa. Nagarajaiah, well-known poet Doddarangegowda and writer Mallepuram G. Venkatesh have been given Honorary Membership of Kannada Sahitya Parishat. The Parishat has also announced an honorarium of Rs. 1 lakh each for the awardees.

Disclosing this at a press meet recently, Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Dr. Manu Baligar, said, “Since 1985, Kannada Sahitya Parishat has been following the tradition of felicitating dignitaries for their service to Kannada land and language. Out of the five Honorary members selected earlier, except for H.J. Lakkappagowda, remaining four are no more with us. Parishat members have increased manifold in recent years. Hence, we decided to award Honorary Memberships to these five distinguished writers this year.”

“During the selection process, we have considered the names of notable personalities who have not presided over Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana and have not been honoured with Jnanpith, Nrupatunga or Saraswati Samman awards. The award carries a copper plaque and honorarium, which is being given for the first time this year. Selected Honorary Members will remain life-time members of the Parishat and the Parishat will also publish a book highlighting the essence of their complete works and achievements,” he added.

Members of Selection Committee S.R. Vijayashankar, Hon. Treasurer P. Malli-karjunappa, Hon. Secretary K. Rajkumar and Convenor of Parishat’s publication division Padmaraja Dandavathi were present at the press meet.