Culture

English Writings of D V Gundappa - 20

One of the highlights of this volume is the longform titled The Code of Manu. DVG firmly believed that (i) tradition and modernity are mutually complementary (ii) such a mutuality is a sine qua non for civilized progress and (iii) the frequently projected dichotomy between the two is gratuitous and regressive. To this end, he spent a considerable part of his literary labours to elucidate the message of classical texts from a contemporary perspective.

English Writings of D V Gundappa - 15

Book reviews were a constant feature in all the journals DVG edited and published. He either reviewed himself or, if he happened to spot a well-written piece, he sought the permission of the author and published it. How to put a work in perspective and appraise its value within the packed confines of journalistic writing, and, more importantly, how to infuse literary charm into the prose? DVG answers these questions with his own reviews.

English Writings of D V Gundappa - 14

Gokhale Institute of Public Affairs, an organization DVG built and nurtured, has made quiet but sustained efforts to educate people in all matters of collective living. Apart from conducting civic surveys, preparing reports for the perusal of Government and organizing lectures, it has played an active part in times of crisis. For instance, during the Indo-China war, it exhorted all its members and the people at large to contribute to the national defence fund. It issued the following Statement of Appeal on 29 October 1962:

ಸಾಕಾರಗೊಂಡ ರಾಮಮಂದಿರ

ಇತಿಹಾಸದ ಮುಂಜಾವಿಗೂ ಹಿಂದಿನಿಂದಲೇ ಸಮಸ್ತ ಹಿಂದು ಜನಾಂಗದ ಅಂತರಂಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಮರ್ಯಾದಾಪುರುಷೋತ್ತಮನೆಂದೂ ಭಗವಂತನ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಅವತಾರವೆಂದೂ ಉದಾತ್ತ ಜೀವನಮೌಲ್ಯಗಳೆಲ್ಲದರ ಪ್ರತೀಕವೆಂದೂ ಅಧಿಷ್ಠಿತನಾಗಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀರಾಮನ ಜನ್ಮಸ್ಥಾನವನ್ನು ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಅಂಟಿದ್ದ ಕಲಂಕದಿಂದ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರವ್ಯಾಪಿ ಆಂದೋಲನದ ಮೂಲಕ ಮುಕ್ತಗೊಳಿಸಿ ಇದೀಗ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಮಂದಿರನಿರ್ಮಾಣವೂ ನಡೆದಿರುವುದು ಒಂದು ಇತಿಹಾಸಾರ್ಹ ಘಟನೆ.

ಕೆಲವು ಶತಾಬ್ದಗಳಿಂದ ವಿವಿಧ ಕಾರಣಗಳಿಂದಾಗಿ ಅತಿಮಾರ್ದವವನ್ನು ರೂಢಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದ ಹಿಂದು ಸಮಾಜ ಕಾಲಧರ್ಮ ಅಪೇಕ್ಷಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಈಗ ಕ್ಷಾತ್ತ್ರರವನ್ನು ಮರಳಿ ಪಡೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿರುವುದರ ಸಂಕೇತವೂ ಇದಾಗಿದೆ.