Novelist and activist Basavaraj Kattimani’s literature and his contributions as a writer and activist were discussed in a seminar held in Shivamogga. The event, which took place on February 9th, saw the participation of writers Nataraj Huliyar, Mallikarjun Hiremath, Basavaraj Sadar, and Prof. Rajendra Chenni. Nataraj Huliyar, a Professor of English, highlighted that Kattimani’s novels revolved around the freedom struggle and introduced nationalism and communism to his readers. He also emphasized that Kattimani criticized his own caste through his writings, which is a rarity in contemporary literature.
Basavaraj Sadar, a member of Kattimani Trust, stated that Kattimani started his literary career as a rebellion (Bandaya) writer and his life was filled with struggles. He recounted an incident where Kattimani wrote against the owner of a textile mill, who coincidentally owned the newspaper as well. Due to his rebellious nature, Kattimani lost several jobs and had to search for new opportunities. Sadar further added that Kattimani considered writing as breathing and believed he would cease to exist if he stopped writing.
Despite not having cleared his SSLC exam, Kattimani managed to write 40 novels, some of which were included in the syllabus of various universities. Many students also conducted their doctoral theses on his works, highlighting their significance. Mallikarjuna Hiremath, the president of Kattimani Trust, stressed the importance of translating notable Kannada works into other languages, further expanding their reach.
The seminar was organized by Basavaraj Kattimani Trust, Manasa Cultural Studies Centre, and Kateel Ashok Pai Memorial College. The event aimed to shed light on the works of Basavaraj Kattimani, a freedom fighter, novelist, journalist, and social activist. Kattimani’s contributions as a writer regarding the freedom struggle and his criticism of his own caste were discussed during the seminar. The need for translations of Kannada literature into other languages was also emphasized.
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