A meeting place for the literary-minded

Last Sunday, Aakruti Books Pvt Ltd in Rajajinagar III Block in Bangalore conducted a programme at which Carnatic vocalist RK Padmanabh spoke on literature. That's right, a musician spoke on literature.
Aakruti director Guruprasad DN said at the event, 15th in the series, many in the audience interacted with Padmanabh who elaborated on books about music -- 'Sandhya Raga', 'Mandra', 'Hamsa Geethe', et al.The event rekindled readers' interest in such classics, he added.
To contribute his mite to literature, especially involving Kannada books, software engineer Guruprasad quit his IT job after five years. Since its inception in January 2010, Aakruti helped him realize his dream of promoting reading in the vernacular. Now, he's diversifying the collection comprising new and used books with English and Tamil titles.
Wth his author-friend Vasudhendra, he came up the idea to "bridge the gap between authors and readers". The debut Sunday session had Vasudhendra (who had then released his essay collection 'Rakshaka Anatha') addressing a motley group of 20 persons.
Ever since, there have been many big names giving an up-close-and-personal experience to bookworms. Though the audience changes depending on the author - whether she is a novelist or a poet - there has never been a dull moment. Over 100 people listened to Chandrashekhar Kambar, who was invited here after being felicitated for his Jnanpith awad.
Recalling how authors have helped him, Guruprasad said Gopalakrishna Pai (who won the 2011 Central Sahitya Academy Award for his historical fiction 'Swapna Saraswatha') volunteered to come to the venue on his own. And poet S Manjunath (of 'Jeevayana' anthology fame) travelled all the way from KR Nagar to promote poetry reading.
Sixty-year-old M N Seetharam Hebbar, a voracious reader and a regular at the Sunday sessions, said: "Getting first-hand information about books, writers and critics helps us better understand and savour literary works." Many young participants are taking to reading, he added.
Highlights
G Krishnappa, an authority on poet laureate Bendre, spoke on 'Naaku Tanthi' at one session. Krishnappa demystified the poem, whose title also adorns Bendre's Jnanpith award-winning work. For lexicographer G Venkatasubbaiah, the session was a platform to air his views on how to develop the Kannada lexicon on the lines of the Oxford dictionary. He also spoke on the magnum opus 'Kumaravyasa Bharata' and other works. OL Nagabhushana Swamy, who has translated Leo Tolstoy's 'War and Peace', spoke on the Russian author and the nuances of translation.
At times, these sessions, held between 10.30am and 1pm, have evoked varied responses from the audience. While some inspired aspiring writers who got tips from authors, others have resulted in heated debates. Unless writers volunteer to answer 'out-of-context queries', the moderator in Guruprasad draws the line to ensure there's more light than heat. Guruprasad is content that Aakruti sessions are helping readers know authors better, "unlike one-sided lit fests which are nothing but a platform for speeches".
* Poetess Pratibha Nandakumar will speak on her autobiography 'Anudinada Antaragange' and poetry at Aakruti at 10.30am today
'Good job'
Guruprasad's Aakruti is doing a commendable job of getting readers closer to authors. His corporate background is adding value to the otherwise buy-and-sell book world. A knowledge of the literary field and understanding the pulse of readers, he has effected a great change. Guruprasad didn't give up even when he faced hardship in the beginning. Aakruti, with its collection of rare books, is definitely promoting the reading habit.
Vasudhendra | writer