Three-day World Kannada Literary Conference planned for 2027, says Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar

Mysuru Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday announced plans to organise a three-day World Kannada Literary Conference in 2027 under the leadership of former Chief Minister and noted writer M. Veerappa Moily. He said a decision on organising the conference would be taken in the next State Budget. The proposed event aims to bring together Kannadigas from across the world to promote Kannada language, literature and culture.

Mr. Shivakumar was speaking after releasing the fourth volume of Mr. Moily’s literary work Vishwasamskritiya Mahayana (Gadya Mahakavya) at JSS institutions on Ooty Road in Mysuru. He said literature had the power to transform society and influence people’s thinking, adding that the contributions of writers and their ideas remained immortal. “Power can bring changes in people’s lives, but literature can transform their very thought process.

The tenure of political power is limited, whereas the influence of literature is everlasting,” he said. Mr. Shivakumar said literature, poetry, shayari and music across languages reflected universal human emotions and that all religions contained values connecting humanity and culture. Literature had a significant role in preserving and promoting these values. Recalling Mr. Moily’s contribution to politics, Mr.

Shivakumar said the former Chief Minister had helped several young leaders, including himself, H.M. Revanna and Ramalinga Reddy, secure election ticket in 1985 by facilitating their interaction with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Describing Mr. Moily as a leader who balanced politics and literature, he said Mr. Moily had developed an interest in writing poetry as early as the class four and had gone on to author more than 30 books.

He also recalled Mr. Moily’s contributions to the implementation of the Yettinahole project, introduction of the Common Entrance Test (CET), and development of Electronics City and the IT-BT sector in Karnataka. “Mr. Moily was among those who inspired former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to implement the Yettinahole project. Through the CET system, he opened up opportunities for students from economically weaker and middle-class families to pursue medical and engineering education at a lower cost,” he said.

Referring to Mr. Moily’s Ramayana Mahanveshanam, which won the Saraswati Samman, Mr. Shivakumar expressed the hope that the veteran writer would receive the Jnanpith award and other prestigious literary honours. He said he had also requested Mr. Moily to publish separately the portion of his writings dealing with Karnataka’s freedom struggle. Mr. Moily, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Shivarathri Deshikendra Swami of Suttur Mutt, Minister in charge of Mysuru district Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLA Tanveer Sait and other dignitaries were present.