Haladi - A march towards literary growth

By Bernard J. DCosta
Bellevision Media Network

• creeper on a mango tree is for jasmines, not to hinder its growth - Jayanth Kamathv K

Kundapur, 22 March 2013: “Our deeds should be worthy of imitation by others. We should not deceive ourselves by claiming what we have not done just for the sake of publicity. At the same time our graciousness should not become a stumbling block for us. A creeper on a mango tree is to produce jasmines not to hinder its growth. That is the secret of growth”, said veteran Yakshagana exponent and social worker Haladi Jayavanth Kamath.

He was recounting his life-long literary experiences during a “literary chat” function held at his residence “Devagiri” in Haladi under the auspices of Kundapura Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishad.

 

Seventy seven year old Jayavanth Kamath recalled his childhood days and the experiences he had as an artiste later on. As a member of a large family, his mother’s humming of devotional songs and his father’s yakshagana dialogue and rendition of songs helped him in his childhood to have an inclination towards arts. As he grew up, his passion for reading stories published in the “Chandamama” weekly magazine, and later on when he had access to his father’s large library, he could read “Ramayana”, “Mahabharatha” and “Bhagavathgita” which attracted him towards ideals in family life, social life, morality etc. After reading and assimilating Dr Shivaram Karanth’s novel “Maralli Mannige”, novelists like Kuvempu, D. B. Bendre, Tha. Ra. Su.  as well as detective novels he got interested in literature. When he joined his father in business, he also had the opportunity in participating in “Yakshagana” and “Tala Maddale” performances which unknowingly made him get involved in this form of art. When Hulimane Sitarama Shastri’s drama troupe landed in Shankaranarayana he was drawn into dramatics. These and few other details of his lifelong experiences were laid thread bare before the audience which felt that they were transported half a century or so back.

 

He further said that the old text books contained lessons on morality, nationalism and moral and social values in life which are missing in today’s text books. Thus the present generation have lost the sense of respect for the elders, love for the country and are drifting aimlessly in their lives. That is a reason for concern, he opined. In the discussions that followed, Udayakumar Shetty, Nutan Mithyantha, Argodu Kishnaraja Shenoy etc participated.

 

Shri Kundapura Narayana Kharvi, who presided over the function and is the president of the Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishad, honoured Jayavanth – Nirmala couple on behalf of the Parishad. On this occasion Shri Kharvi announced the formation of the Shankaranarayana Division of the Parishad and honoured the newly appointed president Haladi Manjunath Kamath.

 

Udupi Taluk Kannada Sahithya Parishad president Neelavara Surendra Adiga inaugurated the event and announced that Udupi Kannada Sahithya Parishad will have its own building soon and he thanked the Government for allotting land and resources for the same.

 

Main speakers progressive agriculturist Dr Sanjeeva Shetty, Haladi Government Junior College Principal Ms Roshan Bibi, Varahi betterment committee president K. Jayarama Shetty spoke on the occasion and praised the activities of the Parishad.

 

Taluk Kannada Sahithya Parishad Secretary K. G. Vaidya introduced the chief guests and read out the citation. Also present were the members of Kamath family. Premanada Kamath welcomed the guests and Shankaranarayana division president Haladi Manjunath Kamath compeered and proposed vote of thanks.