Kaikinis writings still relevant: Kanavi

KARWAR: The writings and the thoughts of Gourish Kaikini are still relevant, observed Channaveera Kanavi, noted Kannada poet at Gokarna on Monday.While at the centenary celebrations of Kaikini, he said though Kaikini wrote more of prose, his writings had poetic touch. Kaikini’s writings reflected his rational views on men and matter. He looked at literary works of other writers with an inquisitive mind. His literary criticism was more practical.Kanavi said that Kaikini invoked compassion among the people through his writings. Although Kaikini rejected the existence of God, he believed that religious tolerance alone can bring the people of the country together. Recollecting his association with Kaikini, Kanavi said that Kaikini was simple and straight forward. He always encouraged young writers and many of them were influenced by Kaikini and his thoughts. Kanavi said that Kaikini had enriched Kannada literature by coining new words. His scholarship was enviable. Many of his columns which appeared in various newspapers were a social satire. They aimed at leading the society towards the right direction.Giraddi govindraj, a noted literary critic, who released Katanjana, a commemorative volume on Kaikini, said that Kaikini had scientific temperament. He was much influenced by rationalism and materialism. There was no space for emotions and sentiments in his writings. His best contribution to Kannada literature was introducing the best of world literature to Kannada writers. He provided a new dimension to the thinking process of the Kannada writers.G M Vedeshwar, who has developed a library of high standard at Gokarna on his own, released a book ‘Vicharavada’ on the occasion.