January:
Speaker: Dr. M.S. Nataraja
Topic: Vidambane
Date: January 11, 2009
Dr. Nataraj a renown Kannada writer from Washington DC area. He has been the author of two plays and collection of poems. He has been awarded Gorur Prashasthi for his poem collection "Madhuchandra-sirikendra". He regularly publishes his articles on Jalataranga a well known column in Thatskannada.com for the last four years. His sundarakanda in Kannada is a musical in Karnatak music style. Navarathna malika another musical in Sanskrit is a collection of nine poems written by Dr, Nataraj.
Dr. Nataraj as a co-chairman of Kannada sahithya ranga, has immensely worked for its growth and success, and has edited all the three volumes of the literary works that have been published by this organization.
Dr. Nataraj has been a long standing friend of Bhoomikaa and has presented on this forum. We can recollect his scholarly discourses on "SanSkit proverb" and "Sri Purandara daasaru". Today he will be presenting another fascinating and important facet of Kannada sahithya, "Vidambane". Vidambane or critique (or satire) as we know, is a very powerful tool of communication in any literature. It can be subtle and sharp at the same time; can go for a long way. Dr. Nataraj introduces the topic, defines the word Vidambane and describes its forms. He further substantiates his descriptions, discusses GP Rajarathnam's "mahAkavi puruSha sarasvti" as an example of viDaMbanA kAvya.
February:
Speaker: Dr. H.Y. Rajagopal
Date: February 8, 2009
Topic: maasti eMba Rushi hELida kathegaLu (Stories by Masti Venkatesh Iyengar)
Dr. H.Y. Rajagopal is an ardent lover of Kannada literature and music. Currently he is the founder president of "kannada sahithya ranga" (2003), which has successfully conducted three conferences and workshops to promote and prosper interest in Kannada literature. He has been founder of "Prasthapa" (2000). He has been awarded several awards in recognition of his services to Kananda literature and culture by several organizations including AKKA and Government of Karnataka (Rajyothsava Prashasthi-2007).
As a writer and critique he has written articles encompassing Kannada lierature, and arts including music, dance and theater (details of which will be presented during the program). On this occasion he will be presenting an article on "Sri masthi Venkatesha Iyengar", pioneer of short stories in Kannada.
March:
Speaker: Dr. M.K. Prabhakara
Date: March 8, 2009
Topic: maastiyavara saahitya mattu taatvikate (Masti Venkatesha Iyengar: Literature and Philosophy)
Dr, M.K. Prabhakara a core member of Bhoomikaa is well known for his progressive and thought provoking presentations on this podium. Once again he has chosen an unique and scintillating topic for the discussion.
On March 8th he will continue the discussions on Sri Masti Venkatesha Iyengar's life, contribution to the development and progress of Kannada literature and culture. Dr. Prabhakara will also discuss Masti's philosophy
April:
Program was cancelled due to unexpected closure of the community hall.
May:
Speaker: Dr.Vijaya kulakarni
Date: May 10, 2009
Topic: kannadadalli Athma charithregaLu: Masthiyavara Bhava
(Masti Venkatesha Iyengar: autobiography - bhaava)
Dr.Vijaya kulakarni is the founder of bhoomikaa and an ardent fan as well as a scholar of Kannada literature. She is well known for her progressive and thought provoking presentations on this podium. To continue to share the thoughts of Maasti, she has chosen this unique topic for the discussion.
Brief synposis of the presentation:
Origin and development of autobiography as a form of literature.
Includes definition, its distinction from biography, forms and structure etc.
Role and importance of auto- and biographies in shaping the generations.
Documented autographies in Indian English and other indian languages.
Status of autographical writing in kannada literature:
Classification or types of such writings.
Masthiyavara Bhava. A pioneering first complete autobigraphy- discussion.
June:
Presenter: Dr. L. Ganapathi
Topic: Indian English writings: subject matter and language - Introducing "White Tiger"
(bhAratIyara AMgla barahagaLu: viShaya hAgU bhAShe - "White Tiger" pustaka parichaya)
Date: June 14, 2009
Dr. L. Ganapathi is one of the core members of bhoomikaa, an ardent fan as well as a scholar of Kannada literature. He has published several books (dramas) and short stories. Ganapathi is also a great inspiration behind several young and budding writers. He is well known for his thought provoking presentations on this podium. Dr. Ganapathi will introduce the book "White Tiger" and present his analysis on Indian writers using English as a medium with a special emphasis on the subject along with the use of language. Dr. Ganapathi hails from prestigious Indian Institute of Science and University of Mysore and he has specialized in Solid State Physics.
July:
Presenters: Bhoomikaa members and attendees
Topic: Farewell to Mr. Nagendra and Mrs. Jaya (shrI nAgeMdra hAgU shrImati jayA avarige shubha vidAya)
Date: July 12, 2009
Mr. Nagendra and Mrs. Jaya have been core members and long standing supporters of Bhoomikaa, they have decided to migrate back to India. We dedicate this month's program to wish them farewell, in that regard we invite everyone to join us and expess their wishes to Nagendra and Jaya. The stage is open to everyone who wish to convey their regards.
August:
No program was held due to renovation at Bauer Community center.
September:
Presenter: Dr. T. N. Krishna Raju
Topic: Savira PakshigaLu, Translation of the novel "sen buzuru" by Nobel Prize winner Kawabata Yasunari.
Date: September 13, 2009
Dr. T.N.Krishnaraju, a Medical Officer in National Institute of Health, is well known for his several short stories and essays. He has published short stories, "bEtALarAya mattu itara kathegaLu" and a novel "paschimaayaNa" in addition to "saavira pakShigaLu" in Kannada.
"saavira pakShigaLu" is an English transalation, "Thousands Cranes" by Edward Seidensticker based on original Japanese novel "sen buZuru" by Kawabata Yasunari, published serially in several newspapers beginning in 1949 and published as Sembazuru with the novel Yama no Oto (The Sound of the Mountain) in 1952. One of Kawabata's finest works, Thousand Cranes was written in part as a sequel to Yukiguni (1948; Snow Country). This melancholy tale uses the classical tea ceremony as a background for the story of a young man's relationships to two women, his father's former mistress and her daughter. Although it has been praised for the beauty of its spare and elegant style, the novel has also been criticized for its coldness and its suggestion of nihilism. (Source: The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature).
With a restraint that barely conceals the ferocity of his characters' passions, one of Japan's great postwar novelists tells the luminous story of Kikuji and the tea party he attends with Mrs. Ota, the rival of his dead father's mistress. A tale of desire, regret, and sensual nostalgia, every gesture has a meaning, and even the most fleeting touch or casual utterance has the power to illuminate entire lives--sometimes in the same moment that it destroys them. Translated from the Japanese by Edward G. Seidensticker.
Dr.Krishnaraju will introduce us to the original novel and its author's background and share his insight about its relevence to contemporary Kannada literature.
October:
Presenter: Prof. M.R. Lashmi Devi
Topic: paMpana kAvyagaLalli kaMDu baruva rasa nOTagaLu (Highlights from Pampa's poetry)
Date: October 11, 2009
Professor M.R. Lakshmi Devi is well known for books and essays. Several books and articles on Kumara Vyasa, Lakshimsha, Pampa that come to the forefront in reference to this month's topic on Pampa.
While introducing Pampa's style she will quote several references from Aadipurana and Vikramarjuna vijaya.
November:
Presenter: Prof. G. Aswatthanarayana
Topic: Di.vi. guMDappanavara maruLa muniyana kaggada parichaya (Introduction of D.V.Gundappa's Marula Muniyana Kagga)
Date: November 8, 2009
Professor G. Aswatthanarayana is well known for his lectures on subjects varying from Literature to Religion in Kannada. He has a special interest in daasa saahitya, has worked immensely in compiling fifty editions samagra daasa saahitya.
He is currently working in several research projects and he is continuing to guide several M.Phil. students of Hampi University. manku timmana kagga is known to many as Bhagavadgeeta of Kannada. In this lecture Prof. G. Aswatthanarayana will introduce the audience to another equally important creation of DVG - marula muniyana kagga, which is known to touch several spiritula aspects that many consider as an extension to the first kagga.
December:
Presenters: Sanjay and Meena Rao
Topic: Presentation of a short play - iti ninna amRuta
Date: December 6, 2009
Both Sanjay and Meena hail from mysore, currently residing in northern Virginia. They have been long standing participants in Bhoomikaa's drama productions such as yayathi (joint production with Kaveri), vyuha and jeeva yaava kula - atma yaava kula. In addition to being drama enthusiasts, while sanjay is the ex-president, Meena is the current president of kaveri cultural association. Iti ninna amrutha, is a short play, translated by Jayanth Kaikini from the Urdu version(by Zaved siddiqui, which is an adaptation of the popular American play "Love letters" by A.R. Gurney.