Mangalore, December 3: Senior scholar and writer Bannanje Govindacharya was on Monday conferred with 'Polali Shastri Award' at a function organized by Kalkura Prathishtana and Polali Shastri Smaraka Samiti (PSSS), at Sharada Vidyalaya in the city.
Delivering the felicitation address, scholar and critic Dr M Prabhakar Joshi said that Govindacharya was second to none in the sphere of Madhva philosophy. “Best known for his discourses (pravachanas) in Indian philosophy and Hindu scriptures, his mastery over Vedic texts, literature and poetry is unparalleled. He has written over 2000 articles, 500 poems, made numerous translations of Sanskrit scriptures, and is the first to have translated the Navya Kavite from Sanskrit to Kannada. His contribution to Vedic scholarship is enormous. He is a scholar par excellence,” he said.
Dr Joshi said that the scholar had written some of the best headlines for articles and newspapers, apart from Dr Shivaram Karanth. “In spite of being a great scholar, he is a simple man and has remained accessible to everybody till present. He has also encouraged several poets, including me,” he said.
Principal of Sharada College Dr P N Maiya read out the award citation. The award consisted of a citation and cash prize.
Acknowledging the honour, Govindacharya said that the works of Polali Shankarnarayana had been greatly influential on him in his early days. “His 'arthadharike' was unforgettable in my childhood; he lent certain elegance to it. There was perfection in his works. In any art form, one should not develop (foster) it unless there is perfection in it,” he said.
Detailing a shloka from the Mahabharata on the occasion, he said that several meanings could be derived to it. Instancing one such derivation, he said that if modern science and ancient wisdom were applied together, then it would be the greatest thing. Sadly, the generation today does not apply ancient wisdom to their work, he said.
“I'm probably the first person to have received a Doctorate and Padma Shri, without having any formal education,” he quipped.
Dakshina Kannada District Kannada Sahitya Parishat president S Pradeep Kumar Kalkura presided over the ceremony. President of Polali Shastri Smaraka Samiti P Shashidhar Aithal made the introductory remarks.
Principal of Sharada Pre-University College Dr Leela Upadhyaya welcomed the gathering. President of Tulunadu Educational Trust Prof M B Puranik and member of the Samiti Shivaram Panambur were present.
Bannaje Govindacharya is a recipient of the Padma Shri Award in 2009. The Samiti has so far conferred this award on 25 personalities.
Bengaluru, June 21: Three youngsters lost their lives when an alleged wheeling stunt turned near Jakkur flyover in the city today morning.
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