Knowledge Dialogues --
A Convention on Knowledge in Society.
Kuvempu University, 20-22 Feb 2025
Kannada Knowledge Traditions (Kannada - ಕನ್ನಡ)
Working Group Members: Meti Mallikarjun (Convener), J. K Suresh, GSR Krishnan, A. Shanmukha and Veena Joshi
Kannada is a unique, classical and heritage language. The distinctive epistemological traditions that are rooted in Kannada have given birth to unique knowledge systems over times which are different from those of other languages in India. These differences stem from socio-cultural dimensions peculiar to the people and their environments. They are culturally rich and specific to Kannada. The core of each epistemological instance can be understood through an exploration of its expression in Kannada language, literature, history and culture.
A key focus of Kannada Knowledge Tradition Session is to ask broad questions about discursive formations of epistemology and traditions in relation to language, culture and power. The idea of knowledge is relying upon simultaneously knowledge, politics and power. Ways of thinking about social structure, knowledge traditions, politics of pedagogy and cultural practices are taken into consideration to address the pertinent questions regarding the politics of knowledge in the Kannada context. Both Indian (Bharatiya) and western dominant forms of rationality, have long been part of patriarchal power and control over Kannada knowledge traditions. As a result, Bhakti movements, Folk epics and traditions emerged as alternative knowledge traditions to draw their own experiences to guide lives and sociopolitical actions in Karnataka. All in all, in this particular session, the ways in which social relations of knowledge production and the types of knowledge produced are being focused to understand the totality of Kannada Knowledge Traditions within the framework of epistemologies and knowledge traditions.
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Session-3 Programme
Kannada Knowledge Traditions
Working Group Members: Meti Mallikarjun (Convener), J. K Suresh, GSR Krishnan, A.
Shanmukha and Veena Joshi
Schedule: 20th Feb 2025, Thursday 4:00 pm – 7.00 pm
This session is consisting of keynote address, presentations and panel discussions. The tentative schedule as follows:
Keynote: Kannada Knowledge: Philosophy of Interdisciplinarity – K V Narayan (20 mins)
Panel discussion 1: Language, Classicism and Orality (80 mins)
1. Knowledge, Power Folk – Krishnamurthy Hanuru (15 mins)
2. Towards a new imagination of ‘Knowledge and Language’ – K V Akshara
(15 mins)
3. Gender as alternative Discourses –Ashadevi M S (15 mins)
4. Social Phenomena in Bhakti Traditions – Basavaraj Kalgudi (15 mins)
5. Idea of Karnatak Studies – K Y Narayanaswamy (15 mins)
These cultural theorists have already discussed the ways in which epistemological discourses function as a medium for social voices. That is, knowledge discourse is the means by which notions of caste, religion and gender are structured and reproduced within society. It is necessary to reestablish epistemological discourses of Kannada. The issues will be raised here are of such scope that they are the relevant discourses of native perspectives that evolved from various
sociocultural contexts.
The relation between Kannada and Sanskrit is very ancient. The negotiation between modernity, English and Kannada is also paramount of important Dialogues that could be taken into consideration in order to deal with traditions of Kannada Knowledge. However, it is not possible to discuss all the changes, development, and negotiations in the relationship. Nevertheless, some important debates can be floated here.
Panel discussion 2: Exploring the uncovering possibilities (80 mins)
1. Crises in the Perspectives of Social Science – Chandra Pujari (15 mins)
2. Knowledge Question and Cultural Hegemony – Rajaram Tolpadi (15 mins)
3. Alternative Discourses –Jayaprakash Benjagere (15 mins)
4. Knowledge of Oppressed Communities – Du Sarswathi (15 mins)
5. Social Phenomenon and Idea of Social Knowledge – Santhosh Naik (15 mins)
In a complex and rapidly changing sociopolitical environment, social scientific study examines how we produce ideas, knowledge, and perceptions to negotiate with this environment. This primarily focuses on communicating and implementing modalities, modes of governing ourselves to understand our socio-cultural environments. The methods that we adopt to solve the problems we face in the organization of social relations and processes.
This session (panel) provides a basic overview of how social science contains deeply embedded sociocultural realties, assumptions and outlines the important relationship between philosophical thinking and practical implications in the research methods of social sciences.
Brief Profile of the Contributors to the Session (in alphabetic order) with their language of choice
K V Narayan: Professor (retired) and Renowned linguist and cultural theorist. He is an intellectual and educator in Karnataka, known for making his insights accessible in the areas of language, linguistics, literary criticism and cultural theories to a broad audience, including teachers, academics, students, and general public. KVN has published numerous books, research papers, and articles in various reviewed.
Krishnamurthy Hanuru: Professor of Kannada (retired), renowned creative writer and cultural theorist. He has worked primarily in the areas of tribal studies, ancient and medieval literature to organize knowledge in order to understand the collective phenomenon of Kannada knowledge traditions and its practical implications. His literary insights and creative writings help us to develop the poetics of Kannada. He has published numerous books, research papers, and articles in various reviewed journals.
Chandra Pujari: Professor (retired), renowned social scientist and director, higher education academy, Dharwad. His research focuses on the areas of development, cultural politics, and hegemony. His ideas are very significant to promote the pursuits of social science and the idea of just society. He has published numerous books, research papers, and articles in various national and international journals.
Rajaram Tolpadi: Professor (retired), renowned political scientist, Lohiaite socialist and former director of Nehru studies centre, university of Mangalore, Mangalore. His research focuses on the areas of lohiaite socialism, secularism and liberal democratic values. His ideas are so relevant to promote the political philosophy and sustainable lives. He has published numerous books, research papers, and articles in various national and international journals.
Basavaraj Kalgudi: Professor of Kannada (retired), literary critic, cultural theorist, member, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. He has made significant contributions to Kannada literature and cultural studies. He holds a doctorate in an interdisciplinary subject on Medieval Mystical Poetry and Historical Sense. Dr. Kalgudi has published numerous books, research papers, and articles in various national and international journals. Some of his important works include A Study of Sathi System and Mysticism: As a Study of Cultural Problem and Search for New Existence.
K V Akshara: He is a renowned theatre director, cultural theorist, and playwright in
the Kannada language. He is a prominent scholar in the contemporary Kannada theatre. Akshara presently heads Ninasam, the theatre group and institution in Heggodu, Karnataka, founded by his father K V Subbanna. Ninasam is one of the premier theatre institutions which played a prominent role in developing theatre culture in Karnataka. He has published numerous books, research papers, and articles in various previewed journals.
Banjagere Jayaprakash: He is a prominent Kannada poet, cultural theorist, critic, columnist, translator, and former Chairman, Kannada Book Authority, Govt. of Karnataka. He has been actively involved in various literary and cultural movements for the past three decades. Jayaprakash has served as the editor of the literary monthly magazine Honnaru Sahitya Maas and has contributed as a columnist for several other publications. He has published numerous books, research papers, and articles in various previewed journals.
K. Y. Narayanaswamy: He is a well-known Kannada poet, playwright, and scholar. he has made significant contributions to Kannada literature and theatre. He is currently a Kannada professor at the Maharani Cluster University in Bangalore. KYN is the author of several popular Kannada plays, including ‘Kalavu, Anabhigna Shakuntala, Chakraratna, Huliseere,Vinura Vema. He has also translated Kuvempu's Shudra Tapaswi into Telugu and adapted Kuvempu's Malegalalli Madumagalu into a 9-hour play. One of his play Pampabharatha which is considered a milestone in modern Kannada theatre. His plays are known for their experimental approach and contemporary relevance.
Du Saraswathi: She is a prominent Kannada Dalit feminist writer, theatre artist, and activist. She has been actively involved in the Women's Movement and the Dalit Movement for over five decades. Du Saraswathi is well-known for her plays, particularly the Sannthimmi plays, which feature a rural woman character who addresses various social issues such as gender, sexuality, and economics. Her plays have been staged across Karnataka and beyond. Some of her notable works include "Henedare Jedananthe Jeeva Sampige , Neera Daari , Eegen Maadeeri (an autobiographical narrative), Baduku Bayalu (a Kannada translation of A. Revathi’s "The Truth About Me: A Hijra Life story).
M. S. Ashadevi: She is a distinguished Kannada literary critic and feminist. She has made significant contributions to Kannada literary criticism feminism and gender studies. Ashadevi is currently Professor of Kannada at Maharani Cluster University in Bangalore. Some of her notable works include streematavannu uttarisalare, Belakiginta Bellage, Naduve Suliva Atma and also published numerous research papers, and articles in various reviewed journals.
Santhosh Naik: He is an Associate Professor at the Department of Studies and Research in Sociology at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) in Mysuru. He has been a part of the faculty since 2012 and has a strong academic background with degrees in Philosophy, Sociology, and a Ph.D. from Gulbarga University. Dr. Naik specializes in Rural and Urban Sociology, Majority and Minority Relations Work, Family, and Gender, and Social Justice. He has also been involved in various research projects, including a study on urbanization and alcoholism in Mysuru city. Additionally, Dr. Naik has contributed to documentary films and has been involved in content creation for documentaries depicting the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on various communities.