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Bengaluru, Nov. 30: While Kannada language is the foundation of the state's identity, regional languages like Arebashe have enriched Kannada, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Arebhashe Academy Honorary Annual Award Ceremony 2024 organized by the Department of Kannada and Culture and the Kannada Arebhashe Sanskriti and Sahitya Academy at the Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bengaluru.
Arebashe Gowdas, who are mostly semi-native speakers, live in Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts. The semi-native speakers who used to live in Sakleshpur area, migrate to the neighboring district of Sullia during droughts when the Hemavati river dries up. Kannada, along with Tulu and Konkani, has become a semi-native language. They say "I am going" as "Vone" and "I am coming" as "Banne". Thus, some letters have been omitted and it has become a semi-native language. Originally belonging to the Gowda community, they are called Arebashe Gowdas. He said that semi-native speakers have a different culture.
Siddaramaiah, recalling that Kurunji Venkataramana Gowda, who was a semi-linguist, was familiar to him, and said that there are 230 minor languages in Karnataka. All of them originated from Kannada, and the academy should do the work of preserving and developing the semi-linguist.
Rs. 50 lakh - promise of land
One crore was earlier provided to the Nadagouda community in the division. Currently, the demand of Rs. 50 lakh will be met. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured that other demands will be reviewed and compensation will be provided.
There is a proposal to provide land in Madikeri to the semi-linguist Gowda in the next cabinet meeting, and he assured that this will be fulfilled.
I will be with you till my last breath -
D.K. Shivakumar
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that I will stand with the semi-linguist community till my last breath.
Speaking as the chief guest, he said that those who forget history cannot create history. If you forget the alphabet, you can teach, but if you forget the culture, you cannot teach.
India's property is culture. There are enough languages in India. Languages have declined from 7,000 to 2,800. Mysore, Kodagu, Gulbarga, Kanakapura are different, but 224 people speak the same language in Vidhana Soudha, he said, Madikeri MLA Mantar Gowda said that land is needed for the community hall. It will be fulfilled. He requested that you serve me your traditional meal next time.
Ponnanna's speech in semi-language
At the beginning of his speech, MLA and Chief Minister's Legal Advisor A.S. Ponnanna drew attention.
In the last meeting, I had said that I would learn and speak semi-language. However, I could not learn. So I am writing and reading, Ponnanna said, and it is a matter of pride that the Semi-language Academy is doing a good job.
The Semi-language community has its own specialty. Only if all the communities are included, a district and a state will be formed. The semi-linguistic community has made a huge contribution to the country and the state. He said that the government is committed to protecting the community.
Awards presented to three
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the Arabhashe Sahitya Academy Award for the year 2024.
K.R. Gangadhar was awarded for Arabhashe literature and educational services, Dr. U.P. Shivanand for literary and journalism services, and D.S. Anand for semi-linguistic organization and administrative services.
Minister Bhairathi Suresh, Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda, Kannada Development Authority President Purushottam Bilimale, Karnataka Semi-linguistic Culture and Sahitya Academy President Sadanand Mavaji, Kannada and Culture Department Director Gayatri were present.
