From Pampa to Karnad: Karnataka Sahitya Academy brings out Kannada compendium to teach human values to youngsters

With a view to instil moral values among school children, college students and youngsters, Karnataka Sahitya Academy has published a book titled, Kannada Sahityadalli Manaviya Moulyagalu (Human values in Kannada literature). This book has chapters on poems, prose, plays written by ancient and contemporary authors of Karnataka around the theme of human values.

L.N . Mukundraj, president, Karnataka Sahitya Academy, said, “Since, all school children don’t read the works of ancient and contemporary writers due to lack of interest or because of their non-inclusion in school textbooks, we have picked some parts from the works of key writers and included it in our book.”

From early works

Adikavi Pampa, Ranna, Ponna, Sri Vijaya, Shivaram Karanth, Girish Karnad, Kuvempu, Poornachandra Tejasvi, P. Lankesh are among those who figure in the collection. For instance, Kasavaramembudu Nere Sairisalarpode Para Vicharamam Dharmam, a famous line from Kavirajamarga written by the court poet Srivijaya or inspired by the Rashtrakuta King Amoghavarsha, finds place in the book. It means that true gold or wealth is the ability to tolerate and respect other people’s views and religions. Kavirajamarga is the earliest available Kannada literary work from 9th Century AD.

Mukundraj noted that works of this kind can teach children and students value of equality, tolerance, honesty, respect, empathy and more. “We have also included some parts from Balveya Belaku by Jnanpith awardee K. Shivarama Karanth. Similarly, some parts from a play Thaledanda written by Girish Karnad are part of our book. When we try to teach values through poems, prose and plays, it will kindle curiosity among children. And they might pick one of the books written by these authors and read,” he added.

Koppal selected for pilot project

The academy has printed around 5,000 books, and around 4,000 books will be distributed in schools and colleges including government, private and non-government organisations mostly run by youngsters in Koppal on a pilot basis.

He said, “All schools, colleges and institutions will be given a single book. In addition to this, we have trained around 40 people who are subject experts. These people will go around all the schools in villages, taluk and Koppal district to conduct series of lectures on the theme in the book. The series will begin soon in Koppal. If teachers are interested, we can train them with the help of these 40 resource person available with us. If the programme is successful, we might reprint the book and distribute them to across the State.”