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Karnataka uses ancient sage to hawk Congress policies

  • The flex of this distorted version of Vachana was removed the very next day.
  • This is a living example of any literary activity which survives under the shelter of the political power will inevitably lose its value by enticing politicians and their vested interests. 
Karnataka uses ancient sage to hawk Congress policies
Author
Raichur, First Published Dec 5, 2016, 10:46 AM IST

Kannada Sahitya Parishat convened 82nd Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, the biggest literary conference of the state, from 2nd December to 4th December in Raichur. Karnataka government had granted ₹ 4 crores for this conference. Since decades, the Sammelana is being organized every year by the grants given by the government.

But this time the government has used ancient sage to hawk congress policies. A distorted Vachana of Sarvajna (mystic poet of 15th century) in a satire form was found in a big flex near the main stage.

The satire reads:

ವಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ಆಶ್ರಯ ಮನೆ ಇರಲು

ರುಪಾಯಿಗೆ ೧ ಕೆಜಿ ಅಕ್ಕಿ ಸಿಗುತಿರಲು

ರಾತ್ರಿ ನಶೆಗೆ ಅಗ್ಗದ ಮದ್ಯವಿರಲು

ಕೂಲಿ ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ಬೆಂಕಿ ಹಚ್ಚೆಂದ ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ

(Ashraya houses are there for dwelling

Rice is available for ₹1/Kg

Cheap liquor is available for night’s spree

Set fire to daily wages)

While the original Vachana of the poet is:

ಬೆಚ್ಚನ ಮನೆಯಿರಲು ವೆಚ್ಚಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊನ್ನಿರಲು

ಇಚ್ಛೆಯನರಿವ ಸತಿಯಿರಲು ಸ್ವರ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ

ಕಿಚ್ಚು ಹಚ್ಚೆಂದ ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ

(Warm shelter for living, sufficient money to spend

Wife who understands the intent

This much is enough - set fire even to the heaven)

The flex of this distorted version of Vachana has enraged many literature lovers and they opposed this kind of propaganda of government by an exalted institution like Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

Followed by the protests the flex was removed the very next day. However, this kind of practice to lure the politicians reflects where our literary trend and culture is heading. This is a living example of any literary activity, which survives under the shelter of the political power, will inevitably lose its value by enticing politicians and their vested interests. 

Responding to this trend, Manu Baligar, the Chairman of Kannada Sahitya Parishat has said that some miscreants have put up this flex. “I have spoken to the SP of Raichur, the police will investigate and take necessary action against those who have done this” he added.

 

 

 

 

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