Tuesday, September 25, 2012


KARNATAK  ITIHASA ACADEMY (R)
                                  A bird’s view
Karnataka  Itihasa Academy was founded in the year 1986 at Bangalore with the intention of encouraging awareness  about culture and history of Karnataka among the youth.
Eminent  scholar and  Professor G.S. Dikshit was the first  working president.  Since its inception it is striving to promote research through  workshops, seminars, conferences  and various allied activities with the sponsorship of many institutions.The first annual meet was conducted in 1987 under the chairman ship of Dr. Chidananda Murthy. It was inaugurated by D.V.K. Gokak.
               The papers submitted in the seminar were published in a book form  with a title”  Itihasa Dracaena” in 1988.Since then the papers submitted in the annual conference  are published every year.   27th souvenir  is to be published in Sringeri conference .Souvenirs  were edited by Dr. Suyranath Kamath,Pro. Lakshmana Telagavi,Dr.DevarakondaReddy, Dr. M.G, Dr. M.G Nagaraj, Dr.P.V. KrishnaMurthy , Sri. Devaraja swamy and others.
 In the initial years  a competitive examination in Karnataka history and culture for Preuniversity final year students was conducted. It continued till 2004.Its popularity can be gauzed with the number of students . In 2004 students from all over the state numbering 7000 took the examination.   It was simultaneously conducted in Bangalore, Dharwar,Mangalore and Kalburgi.The popular program  came to an end because of adamancy of some people to delete it from the PU text book. An encouraging trend was the dominance of Bangalore rural students over city students.
                          “Save Historical  Heritage”  week ,is another important program of Karnataka  Itihasa Academy  . Every year On August 16, with the cooperation of our member, teachers and students of school and college it is celebrate with great fan fare. The purpose is to  protect the neglected, temple, inscriptions,  Manuscripts and ancient paper records and enlighten the local  people about their importance. An attractive poster used to be designed and printed  and distributed in limited proportion. Initially State Bank of Mysore sponsored for many years now Karnataka Government  has collaborated to spread the message on a large scale.     
Academy was instrumental in stopping the construction of a bridge , filing a writ petition in the high court of karnataka. Even UNESCO was against the construction of the bridge
               Karnataka Itihasa Academy has conducted 25 conferences in different parts of the state so far. Several , religious institutions, educational and organization similar view have collaborated in this venture. Scholars from universities young energetic  have submitted their papers and brought out many unknown places, unique article, statues and temples to fore. Several scholars of Karnataka adored the chair of conference. There is a tradition of honoring the scholars who got their PhD. At present the membership  is 1650. And conference is attended by delegates from far and near places
 In memory of noted epigraphist  Dr. B.R. Gopla, annual award , with a citation and cash of Rs. 10000/ is conferred on selected scholar in the field of Epigraphy.
This year B.R.R. family trust has come forward to award a title of “ Itihasa Sanskruti Sri” and a cash prize of 1 lakh rupees  to a scholar  who has rendered yeoman service in the field.  This will be awarded through Karnataka Itihasa Academy.  The award will be given away in conference to be held At Sringeri
Initially ,the responsibility of running the institution was with Dr. G,S Dikshit, and President. Later he was designated as honorary  President and Dr. Suryanath Kamat was made Working president. Now he is   elected as the honorary president and Dr. Devera KondaRedyy is the working president. Last year Academy celebrated its silver jubilee year in Bangalore. Now the 26  Seminar is to be held at Sringeri, in collaboration with Sri Shared Perham. On 22nd   ,23rd  and  24th   September 2012
  On this occasion, a blog has been created for the benefit of   members and interested persons. It can be made use to promote  the growth.  Mail-Id is created to catch up with the modern time
           Publication of   “Itihasa Darshana” has become a costly affair. His  Holiness Sri. Sri .Sri. Prasanna Veera Someswara Raj Desikendra Mahaswami of  Veerasimhasan Mutt,  Rambhapuri continued to bless the publication of the souvenir with Rs. 25,000 so far. Similarly, Karnataka  Archeology and museums, department of conservation of heritage, has contributed  3 lakhs of rupees  for  the conduct of seminar, conference ,  and publication of “Itihasa Darshana” We are grateful  to all those who have extended their helping hand in the growth  of the institution  

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