Kanakadasa keerthane singing contest held in Town Hall

Kanakadasa keerthane singing contest held in Town Hall

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Nov 18, 2011 : The Mangalore University Kanakadasa Research Centre, the National Service Scheme (NSS) of Mangalore University, Badriya Pre University College, DK Zilla Sahitya Parishad, and Rosario Pre University College organized Kanaka Keerthana Gayana, an inter-collegiate Kanakadasa Keerthana singing competition as part of the Kanaka Jayanthi at Town Hall in Mangalore.

 

 

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. T. C. Shivashankaramurthy, the vice chancellor of Mangalore University, said that the writings of Kanakadasa, which convey the message of social justice, hold true even in modern times, owing to which the values of Kanakadasa must be conveyed to students. Further, he said that the literature of Kanakadasa is rich in music, devotion, and spiritual values and expresses concern for society.

Regarding the research activities on Kanakadasa and his literature, the vice chancellor said that Rev. Hermann Moegling edited the literature of Kanakadasa in 1839, and later in the fifties and sixties, the Keerthanas were edited and presented to readers. He said that Kanakadasa study centres are now available in Mysore, Kaginele, Udupi, and the Dharwad-based Karnataka University.

He also said that Mangalore University released 4 books on Kanaka Sahitya during the last one-and-a-half years and that the university’s Kannada Department is working on this literature and that a new building for the Kanaka Chair is under construction.

Announcing the release of Kanakanakindi, a website on Kanaka Sahitya, Prof. Murthy said that an international conference titled Bhakti with Special Reference to Kanakadasa will be organized in Jan – Feb 2012 at Mangalore University.

Prof. Kalegowda Nagavara, the former professor of Mysore University, inaugurated the event and said that Indian society is still struggling against social evils such as caste and untouchability even though it was home to great personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi, Allama Prabhu, Buddha, and Basavanna.

Dr. N. S. Channappa Gowda, the deputy commissioner of DK, was the chief guest of the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. B. Shivarama Shetty, the convener of the Kanakadasa Research Centre, said that Kanakadasa’s literature is special because it showed Lord Rama and Lord Krishna as common people with love for other common people.

The re-prints of Kanakadasara Keerthane were released on the occasion.

Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, the president of the Kalkura Prathishtana; Dr. Gananatha Ekkar, the coordinator of the Mangalore University National Service Scheme (NSS); and Fr. Alwyn Serrao, the principal of Rosario Pre University College, were also present.