The Department of English and Foreign Languages at the Central University of Karnataka will, in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, organise a one-day symposium on Kannada Jnanpith award winners at the university auditorium on Thursday.

Releasing a brochure for the symposium on Tuesday on the university campus, Vice-Chancellor Battu Satyanarayana said that Karnataka has produced eight Jnanpith award winners whose writings reflect a unique synthesis of tradition and modernity.

He noted that the celebrated authors have evolved distinctive literary languages and expressions while remaining rooted in their cultural identity and achieving global relevance.

Head of the Department of English and Foreign Languages Basavaraj Donur said that Kannada Jnanpith award winners have made significant contributions to Indian literature through innovative literary techniques, philosophical insights and culturally grounded artistic expressions.

He said that the symposium will facilitate discussions on their engagement with literary traditions, responses to colonial and post-colonial modernity, use of folklore and indigenous knowledge systems and their influence on contemporary Indian literary discourse.

Dean of the School of Humanities and Languages Vikram Visaji said that Karnataka occupies a distinguished place in India’s literary and cultural history and that the writings of Kannada Jnanpith laureates have enriched both Kannada and Indian literature.

Through their creative genius, philosophical depth and engagement with social and cultural realities, they have transformed literary traditions and developed new modes of expression, he added.

The organisers said that the symposium will be expected to promote interdisciplinary discussions and strengthen literary scholarship related to Kannada and Indian literature. Scholars, students and literature enthusiasts have been invited to participate in the event.