Dharwad:
Manohara Granthamala, a prestigious publishing house in Dharwad, which made a modest beginning in 1933, has now come to occupy a unique position in the literary history of Karnataka and has today become a household name for publishing works of literary excellence in Kannada.
The Granthamala has to its credit more than 450 books. The saga behind the establishment of the publishing house is interesting.
About eighty years ago, winds of nationalism set a new blossoming in some Kannada spirits. Chief among them was poet DR Bendre. He drew some likeminded persons to form “The Friends’ Circle” (Geleyara Gumpu), which provided the base for Kannada activity in an otherwise Marathi infected region.
Even today its associates rank among the foremost Kannada writers. ‘Swadharma’ and ‘Jaya Karnataka’ periodicals were its chief organs. The ‘Nadahabba,’ national festival – owes its revival to “Geleyara Gumpu”. Though as an institution it could not hold together, the idealism it enkindled proved enduring and Manohara Granthamala is the offshoot of the same idealism.
When Jaya Karnataka periodical and the press were in crisis, young members like Prahlad Naregal, Govind Chulaki and Krishnasharma Betgeri tried to revive the publication under SB Joshi’s guidance. Krishnasharma Betgeri (Ananda Kanda)’s first novel ‘Sudarshana’ was their publication brought out on 15th August 1933. The new publication series was named Manohara Granthamala by Krishnasharma Betgeri. GB Joshi, another member of the ‘Geleyara Gumpu’ was their associate and worker. While the paper and other materials were lent to the Granthamala by sympathisers like K R Rayadurg, the books were written free of royalty by friends trained in Geleyara Gumpu.
Armed with the band of literary advisors like DR Bendre, VK Gokak and RS Mugali, GB Joshi ensured that the trio’s taste and critical vigilance elevated Granthamala to its present status. Keertinath Kurtkoti joined the Granthamala as the adviser just before its silver jubilee volumes.
Granthamala has made several intellectuals take up writing and many of those first published by it have risen to great heights in literary world. Noted among them are Shivaram Karant, DR Bendre, AN Krishna Rao, VK Gokak, RS Mugali, Girish Karnad, UR Ananth Murthy, Na Kasturi and Rao Bahaddur.
New generation of writers are now being introduced by Granthamala and the tradition of organizing informal meetings of writers and literature lovers over the famous “Mirchi, Churmari and Tea’ continues even now. Several writers and literature lovers deem it a privilege to visit the “Atta” (top floor) of MGM.
“Our publication ‘Nadedu Banda Dari’ (Path Traversed), published to mark the Silver Jubilee has been acclaimed as a landmark in Kannada literature,” said Granthamala editor Ramakant Joshi.
Four books released
DHARWAD: Manohar Granthamala, a prestigious publishing house celebrated its 80th birth anniversary by releasing four books on Sunday.
Writer Narahalli Balasubrahmanya released A K Ramanujam’s ‘Ayda Prabandhagalu’, K Satyanarayana’s collection of stories ‘Heggurutu’, Prasanna’s skits ‘Acharya Prahasana Mattu En Huchoori’ and Girish Karnad’s play ‘ Benda Kaalu on toast’ at a function organized at Suvarna cultural complex.
Speaking on the occasion, Narahalli analyzed the books and said all the four books were precious additions to the Kannada literary world.
Hailing A K Ramanujam vision of Indian culture, he said AKR’s works depicted his mastery over both Kannada and English. Narahalli was all praise for K Satyanarayana for his new ways of thinking and depicting the contemporary scenario in his stories.
Author K Satyanarayana said writing stories was a pleasure at a time when the habit of telling and listening stories was waning. Playwright Girish Karnad said his play was an effort to catch the fast changing Bangalore city and depict its contemporary life.
Critic Giraddi Govindraj presided. Pavanaja spoke on e-library. MGM editor Ramakant Joshi welcomed. H V Kakhandki proposed a vote of thanks.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hubli / by Gururaj Jamkhandi, TNN / November 26th, 2012