Lyricist Doddarange Gowda to preside over Kannada literary meet in Haveri

HAVERI: Popular cine lyricist Doddarange Gowda has been chosen to preside over the 86th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana to be held in Haveri.
Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Manu Baligar announced his name after an executive committee meeting in Bengaluru on Friday. The 75-year-old writer will chair the literary meet from February 26 to 28.
Folklorist and Sharana Sahitya Parishat founder Go Ru Channabasappa and Gowda were in the final race for the chair. Finally, members selected the latter unanimously.
A former MLC, Gowda was Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy’s classmate. “Gowda is a prominent Kannada poet. He has been chosen to preside over the 86th Kannada literary meet owing to his significant contribution to the Kannada literary world,” said Baligar.
Gowda was born in Madhugiri , Tumakuru district on February 7, 1946. He has written 114 books, 560 film lyrics, 29 anthologies of critical essays, besides innumerable literary articles in vernacular journals and periodicals. He has written dialogues for more than 10 Kannada films and has brought out poetry collections in English.
Gowda said, “Recognition is very important for every individual. I have been contributing to Kannada literature since 1960. Now Kannada Sahitya Parishat has recognised me... It’s the biggest honour in my life. I sincerely accept this invitation.”