Sara Aboobakkar felicitated for her achievements

Sara Aboobakkar felicitated for her achievements

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Dec 20: A citizens’ committee comprising prominent litterateurs such as D K Chota, Sabheeha Bhoomi Gowda, Prof B A Vivek Rai, Dr. Mohan Alva, and renowned singer and theatre artist Ms Jayashree, and others honored Sara Aboobakkar, the renowned Kannada writer, thinker, and social reformer for her valuable contributions of over 50 years to the Kannada literary world.

 

 

The felicitation also marked the 25th anniversary of her first novel “Chandragiriya Teeradalli,” which was published in 1984 and has been translated into a number of languages such as Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Oriya and Hindi.

The writer, who is now 73 years old, has won the Nadoja Award for literary criticism; an honorary doctorate from Mangalore University; and the Athimabbe Award for her social reform writings. She has played an active role in the women’s empowerment movement and has to her credit a number of translated works, original novels, and short stories. An active member of the Karavali Lekhakiyara Vachakiyara Sangha, she played a significant role in constructing an office for this association.

Prof B A Vivek Rai, the former vice chancellor of the Kuvempu University, felicitated her and said that writers such as Sara are rare. She is an infinite source of inspiration for young writers and poets, he said. Owing to her inspiration, a number of social reform writers have mushroomed in DK.

Mr. D K Chowta said that Sara has lived a quiet life in spite of being a literary giantess. Her first novel, “Chandragiriya Teeradalli” still inspires young writers and social thinkers. Although certain vested interests tried to silence her, Sara stood firm for the cause of social reform through her powerful writings. Ms Jayashree, Dr. Mohan Alva, and Prof Sabheeha Bhoomi Gowda also felicitated her.

In her speech, Sara Aboobakkar said that writers have to look ahead especially when they are living in socially troubled times. She advised young writers to develop the vital skills of questioning social issues.