Social well-being can be achieved through fine arts, says artist K.S. Pavitra

Artist K.S. Pavitra emphasised the importance of social harmony through music, dance and literature, stating, “Social well-being can be achieved through music, dance and literature. It’s dangerous if there’s no mutual exchange between the literary field and society.”

She was speaking after inaugurating the ‘Kanaka Kirthana Gangotri’ programme organised by Kanakadasa Research Centre at Mangalore University’s S.V.P. Institute of Kannada Studies on Wednesday, November 12. Ms. Pavitra said Kanakadasa’s compositions possess intellectual depth and emotional intensity. “If we don’t work together culturally and literarily, there’s a risk of creating societal inequalities.”

University’s associate professor in Kannada R. Nagappa Gowda highlighted Kanakadasa’s significance in Karnataka’s literary and cultural landscape. He said, “Kanakadasa is as important as Basavanna. Today’s youth should, however, should understand him in a rational context, beyond mere devotion.”

Centre coordinator Dhananjaya Kumble spoke about Kanakadasa’s efforts to spread rational thinking and oppose inequality within the community.

University registrar (Evaluation) H. Devendrappa and others. The program concluded with a ‘Kanaka Kirthana Gangotri’ singing event, where 216 singers rendered Kanakadasa’s compositions across various levels, including schools, colleges, and public forums.