Sep 21 2025 to Sep 21 2025 6 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

This panel revisits the magnificent oeuvre of Rajalakshmi N. Rao, a major modernist writer with the rare distinction of composing powerful fiction in both Kannada and English. Published recently, Sangama – Pastorale gathers the under-discussed stories from Sangama, her pioneering 1956 anthology of Kannada short fiction, alongside five of her later stories in Kannada.  Bringing together for the first time a dozen of her exciting stories written in English and her English translations of two of her Kannada stories, this volume restores to prominence a major voice in Indian writing in English.

In collaboration with:

Speakers

MS Asha Devi
Writer, Translator & Professor, Maharani University
Asha Devi is Professor of Kannada at Maharani University, Bengaluru.  Her publications include the works of literary criticism, Belakiginta Bellage (Whiter than Light, 2016) and Naduve Suliva Atma (The Moving Self Within, 2011).

Nithyananda B Shetty
Professor of Kannada Studies, Tumkur University
Nithyananda B Shetty is currently Professor of Kannada Studies at Tumkur University.  His areas of research interest include modern and classical Kannada literature, culture and film studies.  He has published two books on Kannada literary research, Maarganveshane (Introduction to Kannada Literary Research, 2022) and Sahitya Samoshadhane (Research in Literature, 2022). He has also written Rashtreeyateyu Srishtisida Karnataka (Nationality and the Formation of Karnataka, 2018), among other books. He has edited the Kannada translation of Kalatatvakosha, a four volume lexicon of fundamental concepts in Indian Arts edited by Kapila Vatsyayana. He also edited Loka Jnana, a peer reviewed inter disciplinary journal of cultural studies in Kannada. He is currently working on the interface of Kannada and Tulu Literature.

Ramya
Actor, Former MP
Ramya, also known as Divya Spandana is a well known Indian actor and former Member of Parliament from Mandya, Karnataka. She gained fame through her work in cinemas and later transitioned into politics, where she made a strong impact as a young and articulate leader.

She also served as the Head of the Indian National Congress’ social media wing, where her digital campaigns garnered international attention. Known for her bold voice and public engagement, Ramya is recognized for her commitment to youth empowerment, gender equality, and fostering inclusive public discourse. Her work bridges the worlds of entertainment, politics and social advocacy, making her a unique and respected public figure.

Usha B N
Translator
Usha B.N is a translator, teacher and photographer, she has been closely associated with youth rights and women’s rights groups in Bengaluru. She has worked with rural women’s collectives in Karnataka on gender, rights and law for more than 15 years.

Chandan Gowda
Professor and Dean, School of Liberal Arts, Vidyashilp University
Chandan Gowda is Professor and Dean, School of Liberal Arts, Vidyashilp University, Bengaluru. A book of his essays, Another India: Events, Memories, People (Simon and Schuster, India), was published last year.  Another book of his, Longing for an Elsewhere: Mysore and the Making of India’s Developmental State, is forthcoming from Oxford University Press (New York) early next year. At present, he is editing, The Greatest Kannada Short Stories Ever Told (Aleph) and Daredevil Mustafa (HarperCollins, India), a book of short stories by the Kannada writer, Purnachandra Tejasvi. He is a columnist with Deccan Herald.