Saturday’s 70th Karnataka Rajyotsava celebration was a powerful reminder of the incredible dedication and sacrifices that led to the formation of the state on a linguistic basis back on November 1, 1956. It was a day to honor the decades-long struggle that shaped Karnataka as we know it today.
H.C. Mahadevappa, the Minister in charge of Mysuru district, spearheaded the festivities. He paid heartfelt tributes to the countless scholars, Kannada writers, and activists whose tireless efforts brought about the reunification of Karnataka. This historic merger combined various Kannada-speaking regions from the erstwhile Mysore State and British-ruled areas like Bombay-Karnataka, Madras Presidency, Hyderabad-Karnataka, and Coorg into a single, cohesive entity.
Dr. Mahadevappa emphasized that the consolidation of these diverse Kannada-speaking regions into one state, officially renamed Karnataka in 1973, was a pivotal moment. This act fulfilled a deeply cherished and long-standing aspiration of the Kannadiga people.
He specifically acknowledged the immense contributions of visionary leaders such as Deputy Channabasappa, N.S. Hardikar, Manjappa, Gangadhar Rao Deshpande, R.R. Diwakar, Sakkri Ballacharya, and literary giants like Kuvempu, Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, K. Shivaram Karanth, A.N. Krishna Rao, and B.M. Srikantaiah, all instrumental in Karnataka’s reunification. Dr. Mahadevappa particularly highlighted Aluru Venkta Rao, who ignited the movement to unite Kannada-speaking territories previously fragmented under various kingdoms and administrations.
The Minister proudly stated that Karnataka has been a fertile ground for a multitude of poets, litterateurs, writers, and artists who have beautifully encapsulated the very essence of Kannada culture and identity within their profound works.
He also celebrated Kannada’s remarkable literary heritage, pointing out that the language boasts eight Jnanpith awardees: Kuvempu, Da.Ra. Bendre, Shivaram Karanth, Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, V.K. Gokak, U.R. Ananthamurthy, Girish Karnad, and Chandrashekar Kambar. Their invaluable contributions have undoubtedly enriched the language for generations.
Addressing the digital evolution of Kannada, Dr. Mahadevappa detailed the state government’s numerous initiatives to promote the language and ensure its widespread use across all administrative levels. These efforts include encouraging software development companies to integrate Kannada into digital platforms, making government website information accessible via Unicode Kannada, and actively promoting Kannada usage on mobile devices.
Thanks to these proactive measures, the Minister noted a significant increase in Kannada’s digital presence, signaling a promising future for the language. He stressed the importance of advancing Kannada alongside scientific and technological progress, a direction the government is actively pursuing. For the people of Karnataka, Kannada is more than just a language; it’s a fundamental part of their identity, and he urged everyone to embrace and reinforce their unique regional culture.
The Minister also highlighted Kannada’s ancient roots, referencing the Halmidi inscriptions from 450 CE as proof of its long history. He further mentioned that the oldest surviving Kannada literary work, Kavirajamarga, dates back to 850 CE.
The grand event took place at the Oval Grounds, where the Minister proudly hoisted the Kannada flag. He then received salutations from an impressive parade of marching contingents, including police, fire and emergency services personnel, Home Guards, NCC, NSS, and students representing various schools.
Finally, Dr. Mahadevappa paid homage to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, the revered symbol of Kannada and Karnataka, by offering flowers to her portrait. He also presented awards to the deserving recipients of the Rajyotsava honors. Dignitaries present included MLAs G.T. Deve Gowda, K. Harish Gowda, and Tanvir Sait; MLCs N. Manje Gowda and K. Shivakumar; and Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikant Reddy, among others.