Mysore/Mysuru: Writer and columnist Dr. Manik Bengeri’s Marathi work ‘Sangeetha-Natya- Panchayathan,’ a book featuring life and achievements of Kannada cultural personalities, was released at a programme organised by District Kannada Sahitya Parishat at  Kannada Sahitya Bhavan in Vijayanagar Second Stage  here yesterday.

Speaking after releasing the book, former head of the Department of Studies in Ancient History of University of Mysore  and former Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB), Mysuru Chairman Dr. A.V. Narasimhamurthy (AVN) said that Manik Bengeri is well-known by her pen name  ‘Ananta Tanaya’ in the theatre and classical music circles.

Terming Manik Bengeri as the real ‘Manikya’ (Pearl), he likened Bengeri to the bridge that connects Kannadigas and Marathis and said that she has earned a lot of affection of Kannadigas by her work.

Observing that the work ‘Sangeetha-Natya Panchayathan’ promotes bonding of Kannadigas and Marathis, he said that the book highlights the achievements of five iconic cultural personalities.

Senior theatre artiste Madhav Khare, who spoke about the book, said that the book is also excellent in its physical form. Pointing out that the 500-page book contains 16 colour pages, he said that four out of the five iconic figures that feature in the book are Kannadigas.

The fifth personality that finds mention in the book is the great musician Tansen, who was the Court musician in Moghul Emperor Akbar’s kingdom, he added.

Continuing, Khare said that the book explains the life and achievement of great theatre personalities Yenagi Balappa and Gubbi Veeranna, Hindusthani singer Sawai Gandharva and theatre actor and singer Balagandharva. The author has also shed light on the entire scenario of Indian theatre, he added.

Observing that the translation of the Marathi work into Kannada will be of huge help in better understanding of our theatre and theatre personalities, Khare said that though the book is a Marathi work, it is filled with narratives about Kannada personalities and the cultural scenario.

Noting that Manik Bengeri has made great efforts to write about Kannada personalities in Marathi, he said that the book, apart from a narratives on theatre and classical music, also contains a 25-page chapter on Yakshagana.

Maintaining that Gubbi Veeranna was one of the best organisers of the theatre in the State, Khare said that iconic actors such as Dr. Rajkumar and  Balakrishna started their acting career through Gubbi Veeranna’s theatre company.

Manik Bengeri has recorded all the plays and cinemas of Gubbi Veerana company in an exemplary style in her book, he added.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat Mysuru President Maddikere Gopal, in his address, said that this programme will help in boosting the bond between Kannada and Marathi languages.

He noted that Dr. Manik Bengeri as a Bank employee, used to object whenever a customer began to converse in Marathi knowing that she was a Maratha and tell them to speak in Kannada, to which he was often a witness.

It is a matter of pride that Bengeri has attempted to explore  Kannada theatre and cultural greats in Marathi language, he said adding that our society will become more united and harmonious if all Non-Kannadigas display the affection showered by Bengeri on Kannadigas.

The book author Dr. Manik Bengeri said that the beginning of the 19th and 20th centuries was the Golden era for Music, Dance and the Theatre. Recalling that it has been 45 years since she came to Mysuru, Bengeri announced that her next work ‘Ruthu Vaibhava’ is nearing completion.

Pointing out that this 700-page book is a detailed narrative of the rich Indian cultural scenario, standing and status, she said that the book also sheds light on the historical and cultural significance of all major festivals celebrated across the country. This book is also written in Marathi, she added.

Dr.  Manik Bengeri was felicitated by District Kannada Sahitya Parishat on the occasion. She was also felicitated by Dr. A.V. Narasimhamurthy and Kamalamba Narasimhamurthy couple.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat  Secretary M.N. Latha Mohan, Treasurer G. Prakash, former President M. Chandrashekar and others were present on the occasion.