Mysuru: “Even though I had done my post graduation in literature, my interest changed when I returned to my village and started studying about animals, birds, insects, flies and bugs.”

These sentences were picked up from ‘Aeroplane Chitte’ and other works of Poornachandra Tejaswi during the launch of the two-day programme titled ‘K.P. Poornachandra Tejaswi – Hakki-Pukka.’

The programme was organised by Abhiruchi Prakshana, Mysuru, as part of its 26th anniversary in which Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Hasiru Sene, Nirantara, Swaraj Abhiyana and Manava Mantapa, Mysuru, joined hands where other programmes like bird-watching, exhibition on insects that Tejaswi found, release of Jugari Cross (English), documentary on Tejaswi, lectures and film show were held at the Suchitra Art Gallery and Mini Theatre in Kalamandira premises here yesterday.

The exhibition of Tejaswi’s works was inaugurated by his long-time associate Padma Sriram. The photos of birds and insects captured by Tejaswi attracted a lot of attention.

For the amateurs interested in exploring the world of flies, insects and bugs, there are variety of species like Marbled White Moth, common crows, plain tiger, red Helen moon moths, jewel beetles, ant lion, robber flies, water scorpions, tiger beetles, ‘Paper Chitte’ (Paper butterfly) and so on.

The Hakki-Pukka programme began with a bird-watching event in the morning at Kukkarahalli Lake, which was attended by children, youth, students and senior citizens in hundreds listening to the chirping of the birds. Ornithologist Shivaprakash and  D. Thanuja, the experts, identified the varieties of birds and insects.

Tejaswi’s admirers from Mysuru, Moodigere, Shivamogga, Bengaluru and other parts had come to attend the bird-watching.

Earlier, farmer leader Darshan Puttanaiah launched the bird-watching programme.

KRRS State President Badagalapura Nagendra, speaking on the occasion, said that even though Tejaswi was highly qualified, he returned to his village and involved himself in agriculture and was very much interested in farming, environment and animal world. He is a role model for today’s youth, added Nagendra.

Writer Krishnamurthy Chamaran and Abhiruchi Prakashana’s Abiruchi Ganesh were present.