Workshop on Classical Kannada poet Ratnakaravarn

BANGALORE: A two-day workshop on classical Kannada poet Ratnakaravarni, organised by Bangalore North Education Society (BNES) College, was inaugurated on Wednesday by Minister for Corporate Affairs M Veerappa Moily. Distinguished personalities from both academic and literary fields are taking part in the workshop dissecting the works of the 16th century poet laureate. In his keynote address Moily, an acclaimed writer himself, hailed Ratnakaravarni as the greatest poet. “He was a rare amalgamation of modern thinking coupled with a sense of detachment. If a writer does not feel detached, he will get sunk into the material world,” Moily observed. The minister said that the works of Ratnakaravarni had profoundly influenced his literary career, stating specifically how he adopted the poet’s characterization techniques. He went on to say, “You are not a Kannadiga if you haven’t read Bharatesha Vaibhava.”Moily also justified conferring of Jnanpith Award to Chandrashekhar Kambar. “Kambar could match the philosophical might of Ratnakaravarni. Kannada has received eight Jnanpith awards because of writers like them.”  The second day of the workshop today will feature 13 speakers from Mumbai, Mysore, Hampi, Shimoga and the rest from various institutes in the city. The programme begins at 9am in Yavanika.