Rich tributes paid to 'Anakru' centenary celebrations

New Delhi, Feb 3 (UNI) Number of Kannada writers and artistes today paid rich tributes to acknowledge the rich contributions of noted Kannada acivist and writer A N Krishna Rao for the Kannada language and its culture.

The centenary celebration organised by 'Dehali Kannadiga', a monthly publised from Delhi, noted how the Kannada chaluvaligar had enthused youths of Mr Rao's time to take up the cause of Karnataka and its people, besides penning over 250 books in Kannada, including 100-odd contemporary novels like Sandhya Raga, Nata Sarvabhouma, Yelahanka Bhoopala, Marjala Sanyasi, and short stories like Agni Kanye, Papa Punya and his famous drama Maduveyo Mane Halo and Jagajyoti Basaveshwara.

Being a prolific orator, who never hesitates to be the champion of Karnataka, Mr Rao has travelled extensively in the state exploring its land, rivers, language and literature. It was because of him, for which noted Hindustani singer Mallikarjuna Mansur was compelled to sing the Sharana literature in the form of Hindustani classical music. Till such time, the 'Vachanas' were never sung in this format though having a popular base among the people, especially in north Karnataka region.

Mr Rao, popularly known as 'Anakru', has also dabbled in literary research and criticism works, and authored books like Sahitya mattu Yugadharma, Kannada Sahitya mattu Sanskriti, Veerashaiva Sahitya mattu Sanskriti.

Recognising his contribution, the Mysore University conferred upon him the Doctorate of Literature.

He was also president of Kannada Sahitya Academy and has presided over 42nd Conference of Kannada Sahitya Parishad, the official body of the Kannada writers.

Dehali Kannadiga Editor M B Samaga said the Centre should consider the demand of people of Karantaka to recognise Kannada as a 'Classical Language' as it figures among the ten oldest living languages of the world, as recognised by the UN and also as a fitting tribute to the soul of the late writer.

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