Bengaluru: Poet Laureate Kuvempu was conferred the Jnanpith Award for his magnum opus Ramayana Darshanam 50 years ago. To mark the golden jubilee of the award, the Department of Posts released a special cancellation postal cover yesterday at a function organised by Kannada and Culture Department at Ravindra Kalakshetra here.

Former High Court Judge Justice A. J. Sadashiva, speaking after releasing the postal cover said, “Once one reads Kuvempu’s Ramayana Darshanam, there is no need to read any other work for leading a good life. The secrets of life are expounded in this epic and one gets a complete vision of the world and answers to many questions that a human being faces after reading it. In Kuvempu’s writings there is science involved.”

Kuvempu has not received the full honours or respect due to him. People have not completely accepted him, as there are lot of controversies surrounding him. “But Kuvempu ignored all criticisms and spoke about Vishwamanava (Universal Man) concept all his life,” he recalled.

Litterateur Dr. K. Marulasiddappa said that the honours and awards conferred on Kuvempu has enhanced the prestige of the awards and not the other way round. He was the leading light among the writers in the 20th century, he added.

Kuvempu Prathisthana President Prof. Hampa Nagarajaiah said that Kuvempu threw light on modernistic thinking in both his literature and life.

Post Master General Col. Arvind Varma said that Kuvempu’s motto in life, “Equality for everyone, equality in every life,” was a guiding light for future generations.

Kannada and Culture Department Director N.R. Vishukumar welcomed and delivered the keynote address.

Stamp  on Kuvempu

The India Posts is issuing a stamp on Kuvempu today, commemorating his 113th birth anniversary and also celebrating Vishwamanava Day. The stamp will be released by Union Minister for Statistics D.V. Sadananda Gowda at Kuppalli, the poet’s birth place in Shivamogga.