CM Siddaramaiah Plans 2027 World Kannada Lit Fest
Synopsis
Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar launched Veerappa Moily's prose epic in Mysore and announced a three-day Vishwa Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in 2027, with budget funding to follow, aiming to unite Kannadigas worldwide around language and culture.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar unveiled the fourth volume of Veerappa Moily 's Vishwa Sanskriti Mahayana in Mysore on 11 November 2026 .
A three-day Vishwa Kannada Sahitya Sammelana will be held in 2027 under Moily's leadership to connect the global Kannada diaspora.
Funding decisions will be made in the upcoming Karnataka state budget .
Moily has authored more than 30 works ; his Ramayana Mahanveshanam won the Saraswati Samman .
CM Shivakumar expressed hope that Moily will be awarded the Jnanpith Award and requested a standalone book on Karnataka's freedom struggle history.
A book launch in Mysore became a policy moment on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, when Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar unveiled the fourth volume of former Chief Minister Dr. M. Veerappa Moily's prose epic 'Vishwa Sanskriti Mahayana' — and announced that a three-day Vishwa Kannada Sahitya Sammelana will be held in 2027 under Moily's leadership to bring Kannadigas from across the world under one roof.
A global Kannada conclave takes shape
Speaking at the event, CM Shivakumar said the government's intent is to 'preserve and grow the Kannada language and culture' by uniting Kannadigas living abroad who have kept the language alive with enormous pride. The conference will span three days, and formal decisions — including funding — will be taken in the upcoming state budget. Karnataka has periodically hosted Kannada Sahitya Sammelanas through bodies like the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, but a specifically global edition anchored around literary themes marks a step up in ambition.Moily's literary arc — from grade four to Saraswati Samman
The Chief Minister offered a vivid portrait of Moily the writer: a boy from a village in South Canara district who began writing poetry in Class 4, rose to become Chief Minister of Karnataka and a Union Minister, and never let public office crowd out the pen. Moily has authored more than 30 works. His magnum opus, 'Ramayana Mahanveshanam', earned him the prestigious Saraswati Samman — one of India's highest national literary honours. Shivakumar added that he has personally requested Moily to publish as a standalone book the section on Karnataka's freedom struggle history within his writings, and that Moily has responded positively. The CM also expressed the collective wish that Moily be recognised with the Jnanpith Award, India's most coveted literary prize.The pen outlasts the chair
Shivakumar drew a sharp philosophical line between political power and literary legacy. 'Those of us in politics may be forgotten in the future,' he said, 'but the names and thoughts of those who have achieved in literature will remain forever.' He invoked the Kannada proverb 'kattikinta lekhani harita' — the pen is sharper than the sword — and noted that while authority can change lives, literature changes minds. He pointed to fellow Karnataka politicians M.P. Prakash, S. Bangarappa, and S.M. Krishna as leaders who combined public service with literary passion, and praised Suttur Srigalu for encouraging hundreds of writers. If the 2027 budget seals the funding, Mysore's literary afternoon could be remembered as the moment a global Kannada renaissance got its starting gun.Point of View
The ruling Congress signals cultural credibility alongside political intent. Tying the funding to the upcoming budget, however, means the commitment is real only when the line item appears — a standard pressure valve that lets governments test public response before fully committing. The CM's philosophical remarks on literature outlasting political careers may also be read as an attempt to frame the Congress government's cultural legacy in advance of the next election cycle.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vishwa Kannada Sahitya Sammelana 2027?
It is a planned three-day global Kannada literary conference to be held in 2027 under the leadership of former Karnataka Chief Minister and author Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, aimed at uniting Kannadigas from around the world to preserve and promote the Kannada language and culture.
Who is Veerappa Moily and what literary awards has he won?
Dr. M. Veerappa Moily is a former Chief Minister of Karnataka and Union Minister who has authored more than 30 works. His prose epic 'Ramayana Mahanveshanam' won him the Saraswati Samman, one of India's highest literary honours. CM D.K. Shivakumar has also expressed hope that Moily will receive the Jnanpith Award.
When and where was the Vishwa Sanskriti Mahayana book launch held?
The fourth volume of Veerappa Moily's 'Vishwa Sanskriti Mahayana' was launched in Mysore on 11 November 2026 by Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
How will the 2027 Kannada Sammelana be funded?
Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar stated that the government will take a formal decision on funding the 2027 Vishwa Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in the upcoming state budget.
What is the Saraswati Samman award?
The Saraswati Samman is a prestigious national literary award given annually in India for outstanding prose or poetry work in any language listed in the Constitution of India. Veerappa Moily received it for his work 'Ramayana Mahanveshanam'.
