Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy President Ajnikanda C. Mahesh Nachaiah opined that cultivating reading and writing habits within families can pave the way for a strong and refined culture.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 8th Kodava Book Festival organised at Ammatthi Kodava Samaj by the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy.
In his address, he said that a positive environment can be created within families through good cultural practices, and emphasised that culture must first be learned at home. He stated that even if one is proficient in multiple languages, Kodava should remain the primary language spoken within the household.
He remarked that neglecting one’s mother tongue is akin to neglecting one’s parents. Highlighting the richness of the Kodava language, he said it possesses around four thousand original words, and using them actively would help preserve its identity.
Referring to the Kodava Bookstore initiative as a new project, he urged individuals and Kodava community organisations to come forward to establish such bookstores within private homes and community spaces.
Retired teacher and senior artist Vanchira Vitthal Nanaiah, who attended as the chief guest, described the Kodava Academy’s book initiative as a commendable project. He said that an increase in readership would naturally encourage more writers to contribute to literature.
He added that Kodava literary culture has significant scope for study and research, and encouraged research enthusiasts to take up such work. He stressed that children should develop writing habits from a young age, which would eventually contribute to literary creation.
Iggutappa Temple Committee Director Paradanda Vitthal Bhimaiah extended his best wishes for the success of the Academy’s new initiative.
Ammati Kodava Samaj President Ainanda Prakash Ganapathy, who presided over the function marking the establishment of the 8th Kodava Bookstore, expressed happiness over the initiative. He said that the bookstore would be made available for proper use by members of the society under established rules and regulations.
Kuttanda Rita Chinnappa delivered the prayer, while Prakash Ganapathy welcomed the gathering. Academy member Napanda Ganesh compered the programme.
Among those present were Kodava Samaj PommakkadaKoota member Chambanda Reshma Bhimaiah, Academy members Kambeyanda Deena Bojanna and Panikuttira Kuttappa, elders Kavadichanda Ganapathy and ChillavandaKaaverappa, Samaj Secretary Pattada Dhanu Utthaiah, Machimanda Suresh Ayyappa, Nellamakkada Sampath Devaiah, Kechanda Kushalappa, and others.
