Mastis re-edited Kakanakote launched

BANGALORE: “To understand the problems of tribal, Maoists and naxals in a simple way, one can read the books written by veteran Kannada writer and Jnanpith awardee Masti Venkatesh Iyengar,” said Prof Roddam Narasimha. He was speaking at the launch of illustrated book-‘Kakanakote’, a re-edition of Masti Venkatesh Iyengar’s earlier version, published by ‘Masti Venkatesh Iyenagar Jeevana Karyalaya Trust’ here at  Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy on Saturday. Along with the articles and reviews published on Kakanakote, the re-edited book consists of pictures of all dramas staged based on the novel and from the movie.Speaking at the launch, Prof Roddam said, “Like the books on history, one can get a clear picture of the British rule in India, problems of tribal through Masti’s books. He had that capacity and vision to include such  things in his writings.”Dr Chiranjeevi Singh, former chief secretary of Karnataka said “Masti would have got many Nobel Prizes if he had penned his works in foreign languages. But his greatness is beyond any prizes. He was the one who advised Kuvempu to be a writer for humanity and not for Lingayats alone. Kakanakote is one of the greatest plays which India has ever seen,”Actor C R Simha, who took the novel to mass, was felicitated during the event.