Mysuru

KarnatakaChief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday announced that a three-day World Kannada Literary Conference would be organised in 2027 under the leadership of former CM and noted writer M Veerappa Moily. The decision on organising the conference would be taken in the next state Budget, he said.

Speaking after releasing the fourth volume of Moily’s literary work, ‘Vishwasamskrutiya Mahayana’, a prose epic here, he said the conference aimed to bring together Kannadigas living across the world to promote and preserve the Kannada language and culture.

“Kannada enjoys immense respect among people living abroad. We want to bring Kannadigas from across the world onto one platform and organise a World Kannada Literary Conference to preserve and promote our language and culture,” Shivakumar said.

Emphasising the enduring influence of literature, he said political leaders might eventually be forgotten, but the names and ideas of those who made significant contributions to literature would remain for generations. “For the world to become one, human beings must first come together. Religion and culture play an important role in shaping a person into a true human being. Education and literature are among the most powerful instruments in the world,” he added.

Shivakumar said literature, poetry, shayari and music across languages reflected universal human emotions. “Every religion has values that connect humanity and culture. The literary world has a significant role in preserving and promoting these values,” he added.

The CM said the Congress government was also committed to securing official recognition for the yellow and red Kannada flag. Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier brought the issue of the Kannada flag to the attention of the Union government, he said.