Nisar Ahmed flags off 'Nadabhinandana', literary giants heap praises on Na Damodar Shetty

Mangalore, February 11: Encomiums were showered in good measure on writer and stage artiste Na. Damodar Shetty on Saturday at the 'Nadabhinandana', a felicitation programme held at Town Hall to mark the 60th birthday of the multifaceted genius, who recently retired as the professor of Kannada department of St. Aloysius College.

The programme got off in a unique way, with veteran Kannada poet, Nadoja K.S. Nisar Ahmed, playing Veena, which was decorated with flowers. In fact, the novelty left Mr. Ahmed and other guests flabbergasted as most of them appeared to be novices when it came to playing a musical instrument. Mr. Ahmed, who ambled towards the instrument, was seen asking fellow guests on the dais on how to play the instrument. After getting some quick tips from Mr. Shetty, he hesitatingly fiddled with the strings, but did not succeed in producing any musical sound.

The guests on the dais namely Girish Kasaravalli, celebrated film director, B.A Vivek Rai, visiting professor at the Wurzburg University of Germany, Fr. Francis Serrao, new Provincial of Karnataka Jesuits, B. Jyashri, Rajyasabha M.P., Pradhan Gurudatt, linguist, Dr. C.N. Ramachandran, retired professor of English, among others, also tried to play a tune or two. But, it was Na Damodar Shetty, popularly known as Nada, who was able to play the instrument properly, befitting of a man who is known to don several hats with aplomb, and won a big round of applause from the audience.

Even as the inauguration ceremony was underway on the stage, an artistic tribute to the writer was paid by Sunil Abraham, who painted a caricature of Nada on the canvas erected in front of the dais. By the time the inaugural ceremony was over, the artist, with the help of Praveen Poojary, an artist from Yenepoya University, had completed the painting.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Mr. Nisar Ahmed highlighted the importance of preparing Kannada to face the onslaught of globalization and liberalization. “We cannot remain immune to the influences of globalization. We have to brace ourselves to the challenges. We should make sure that Kannada retains its primacy even as our children learn English,” he said.

Lauding the efforts of Nada in promoting the language and culture, Mr. Ahmed said, the contribution of Nada as an organizer and a promoter of literature needs to be acknowledged because, only through sustained campaigning and publicity, literary books can reach the masses. “Nada has played a phenomenal role in popularizing Kannada literature and art in this part of the State through his tireless work as an organisor, a teacher, a writer and a dramatist. Today Kannada literature is starved of adequate readership. The number of readers is dwindling. The younger generation is attracted towards new media of communication like CDs and DVDs. We need to safeguard the book culture, which is increasingly confined to libraries now,” he said.

Heaping praises on Nada, he said: “Through his writings and personality, Nada has set an example for the younger generations. He is a man with a brain of a genius and a noble heart.”

Speaking after releasing “Nadaloka” a commemorative book on Nada, Mr Gurudatt, said by instituting an award in the name of S.V. Parameshwar Bhat, Mr. Nada along with his friends has tried to immortalize the genius, who served Dakshina Kannada district with rare distinction. “Even people in Mysore could not make any effort to immortalize the name of Parameshwar Bhat who had spent several years in the erstwhile capital of Mysore Kings. By instituting an award in the name of Parameshwar, Nada and his friends have done a commendable job,” Mr. Gurudatt said.

He also lauded the translation skills of Nada and said, the books he translated appeared as if they were original Kannada titles. “He has played the role of a bridge between Kannada and Malayalam languages. The young writers have lot to learn from his translation skills. The book on K.V. Subbanna, he had edited for the Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi left us with hardly any scope for revision. He is a perfectionist,” Mr. Gurudatt said.

Speaking on the occasion, P. Jayaram Bhat, Karnataka Bank managing director, said, Nada was a rare jewel, that all the people of Dakshina Kannada can be proud of. Dr. Sabiha, Kannada Department, Mangalore University, spoke on behalf of the editorial board of Nadaloka.

Jayashri, released a CD titled 'Nada Bhava' a musical tribute to the writer consisting eight songs.

Francis Serrao, in his presidential address, hailed his contribution as a teacher at the St. Aloysius College. “He always tried to infuse life into textbooks. He introduced novel approaches to teaching by interacting with the students and exposing them to the world beyond the textbooks. He was a generous man who helped poor students by paying their fee. He brought laurels to the institution with his multiple talents. Even when he had a difference of opinion, he used to express his dissent with lot of patience,” Mr. Serrao said.

Professor A.M. Narahari welcomed the gathering. Srinivas Deshpande, delivered a vote of thanks. Dr. Mohan Alva, the chairman of the felicitation committee, was present on the occasion.

The inaugural programme was followed by literary sessions and Sugama Sangeetha.