The second day of the Bangalore Literature Festival (BLF) unfolded as a rich tapestry of remembrance, literary discourse, and pressing environmental concerns, captivating audiences with profound insights from noted writers and thinkers.
A Tribute to a Literary Giant: SL Bhyrappa's Enduring Legacy
The day commenced with a heartfelt homage to the late literary icon, SL Bhyrappa. Author Krishnamurthy Hanuru, drawing from a three-decade-long friendship, painted an intimate portrait of Bhyrappa's unparalleled dedication to his craft. He described a writer who deeply immersed himself in the worlds he created, undertaking extensive travels for weeks to understand his subjects.
This immersion included meeting folk artists like Siriajji and conversing with political leaders to add authenticity to his narratives. Hanuru also highlighted Bhyrappa's remarkable connection with his readers, often communicating through handwritten postcards. Beyond his writing, Bhyrappa was remembered for his lifelong support of students and his extraordinary generosity, notably giving away his entire Saraswati Samman award money.
Women Writers on Kannada Literature and the AI Challenge
In a compelling Sunday session, women authors writing in Kannada reflected on the future of their craft in the age of Artificial Intelligence. The consensus was clear: technology cannot replicate the human essence of storytelling. They asserted that the emotion and lived experience that shape a narrative are irreplaceable by any algorithm.
Expressing optimism, the authors believed the next generation of women writing in Kannada would be stronger and more questioning. They advocated for a balanced perspective, viewing AI not as a threat to creativity but as a potential tool for support, aiding rather than replacing the writer's unique voice.
Climate Crisis: From Debate to Daily Reality
The festival's focus then shifted urgently towards the environment. Author and environmentalist Nagesh Hegde, speaking on the panel ‘You, Me and Climate Change’, delivered a powerful message. He urged the audience to recognise the unequivocal warnings the planet is sending. Hegde stated that the world has moved past debating climate change to directly experiencing its impacts.
He pointed to natural disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes, melting glaciers, and rampant forest fires as nature's clear signals demanding immediate action. Reflecting on India's environmental journey, Hegde noted that while writers in the 1980s merely touched upon climate themes and activists became prominent in the 1990s, today the warnings come directly from the distressed Earth itself.
Rethinking Development and a Vision for Bengaluru
The panel critically examined the traditional development paradigm. Hegde argued that India must abandon the outdated "development versus environment" debate and embrace a "development and environment" model. He challenged authorities, asking, "If governments can plan skydecks or tunnels, why not bring equal ambition to environmental projects?"
He proposed a concrete model for Bengaluru's future: transforming it into a 'sponge city'. This concept involves designing the urban landscape to retain rainwater within a 20-kilometre radius instead of letting it drain away wastefully. Hegde emphasised that Bengaluru's existing network of lakes and its rainfall pattern provide a natural foundation for this sustainable vision.
Furthermore, he called for a fundamental rethink of compensatory afforestation policy. Hegde suggested that forests should be created proactively, even before developmental blueprints are finalised. Vast stretches of barren land, he proposed, could be converted into forests, which would also generate significant agricultural employment opportunities.
The day at BLF successfully bridged the past, present, and future—honouring a literary legend, navigating the digital evolution of writing, and confronting the existential challenge of climate change with actionable ideas.
