Mysuru: Mysuru, which only recently hosted its mega annual Dasara celebration, is now readying to hold the 83rd Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahithya Sammelan starting November 24.
Noted litterateur Chandrashekar Patil or Champa, as he is more popularly known, will preside over the three-day event. The logo for the sammelan was launched by Mysuru district in-charge Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa here on Thursday.
It carries pictures of goddesses Bhuvaneswari and Chamundeswari, of former Mysuru maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, of all eight Jnanpeeth awardees, the Dasara jumbo savari, and noted tourism destinations of Mysuru besides the logo of the Kannada Sahithya Parishat.
Asked if the sammelan would pass a resolution for the protection of writers, Dr Mahadevappa brushed aside the need for it, saying every citizen of the country was Constitutionally protected.
“But special protection has been given to some writers and those who have sought it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Jayappa Honnaali, general secretary of district Kannada Sahithya Parishat said about one lakh people were expected to participate in the sammelan, including 500 litterateurs from all around the state.
“We are planning to seek Rs 7 crore from the state for the event, collect a registration fee of Rs 250 per person and mobilise funds through sponsorships, as we need to provide food and accommodation to participants,” he explained.
Noted Kannada litterateur C.P. Krishna Kumar, when contacted, said that it was necessary to hold a separate seminar on protection of writers and freedom of speech and expression during the sammelan in the present climate of intolerance, marked by the murder of journalist/activist, Gauri Lankesh.
