Prashanat Hegde, The budding Poet

In Areangadi Junior College, Kamat's books on birds and insect life, as also his popular American travelogue were included for discussion. Prashant Hegde who discussed the travelogue, "Nanoo Amerikege Hogidde" surprised all of us by his eloquence, mature judgment and original interpretation that how a well-written travelogue could inspire a village youth like him. He composed verses there and then, as a tribute to Krishnanand Kamat at the end of his 15minute speech. "I am given only 15minutes. I would have loved to speak for fifteen hours, to pour out all my feelings aroused by this book!" He declared to thunderous claps and sat down.

It was a pleasant surprise, to received a collection of Chutukus (limrics) and Gutukus ('gulp') a newly coined word for short verse, by Prashant Hegde, a couple of months ago, named 'Paramapada' (highest word or verse. Pada stands for both in Kannada). In the introduction he states that Kamat's book brought out hidden poetic talent in him, some of which are on Kamats . These are reproduced below.

If a young and creative mind in a remote village in Honnavar Taluk is inspired by our Foundation's efforts and Kamat's writing, there could not have been a better tribute.

Incidentally village of Kadtoka, is just nearby from which, the earliest chutuku writer and famoust poet late V.G. Bhat (1923-91) hailed. The Janata Vidyalaya of Areangadi where Kamat Foundation's programme was arranged was founded by Dinakar Desai who excelled in Chutuku form of poetry and was a great educationist. Prashant hails from nearest Vandoor village. Desai chose sites for his schools where cross roads from four to five villages met. Prashant Hegde may one day bloom as a good poet on the directly winding path where two great chutuku writers of Karnataka once tread.