MYSORE: “No new epic has come out in the recent past in India, which is because such developments have not taken place in the West. This must change. We must not imitate what the West does,” Jnanpith awardee Chandrashekar Kambar asserted.
He was speaking at the inaugural of the Dasara Poets’ Meet, Dasara Kavigoshti, organised at the Centenary Hall of Maharaja College here on Saturday. Kambar advised writers to draw inspiration from indigenous forms of art and culture, stating that it can aid the creation of literary works.
He added: “Litterateurs should conduct research on local forms of folk art, which is available in abundance.” The awardee stated that his getting the Jnanpith award vindicates the fact that there is a lot to draw from local folk art and culture.
The writer, who described Kuvempu as one of the greatest poets in the nation after Rabindranath Tagore, said that it was he who inspired him to become a poet. Expressing concern at the growing liking for English, he said the trend has become acute after India obtained independence.
He rued that even the fundamentals are not being taught in the native language.