Karnataka Sahitya Academy compiles Kannada anthology to teach human values

Karnataka Sahitya Academy has brought out a book aimed at introducing school children, college students and young readers to moral values through Kannada literature. Titled Kannada Sahityadalli Manaviya Moulyagalu (Human values in Kannada literature), the volume gathers poems, prose and plays by both ancient and contemporary writers from the State, all centred on questions of human values.

Academy president L.N. Mukundraj said the compilation was prompted by the fact that many students do not read the works of older or modern writers, either from a lack of interest or because such texts are not part of school syllabi. Selections from major writers have therefore been brought together in a single book.

Among the authors featured are Adikavi Pampa, Ranna, Ponna, Sri Vijaya, Shivaram Karanth, Girish Karnad, Kuvempu, Poornachandra Tejasvi and P. Lankesh. The collection includes a well-known line from Kavirajamarga, the earliest available Kannada literary work, dating to the 9th century AD and attributed to the court poet Srivijaya or inspired by the Rashtrakuta king Amoghavarsha. The line, Kasavaramembudu Nere Sairisalarpode Para Vicharamam Dharmam, conveys that true wealth lies in tolerating and respecting the views and religions of others.

Mukundraj said such works can teach children equality, tolerance, honesty, respect and empathy. Excerpts from Balveya Belaku by Jnanpith awardee K. Shivarama Karanth and from Girish Karnad's play Thaledanda also form part of the book. Presenting values through poems, prose and plays, he added, may spark curiosity among children and lead them to pick up the original works of these authors.

About 5,000 copies have been printed. Roughly 4,000 are to be distributed on a pilot basis to schools and colleges, including government and private institutions and non-government organisations largely run by young people, in Koppal. Each institution will receive a single copy.

Around 40 subject experts have been trained to travel across villages, taluks and the district to conduct a series of lectures on the book's theme. The series is set to begin soon in Koppal. Teachers who are interested can also be trained with the help of these resource persons. If the programme succeeds, the academy may reprint the book and distribute it across Karnataka.