Khasnis

Raghavendra Khasnis, one of the better known Kannada short story writers passed away yesterday. I read about this in The Hindu and was shocked to learn of the treatment he got from the Directorate of Kannada and Culture. He was suffering from Parkinson's, and according to this directorate's official who delivered the payment, this disease wasn't in the list of diseases covered in the health scheme.

The tragedy of it. Do these people even know what culture is? Forget about this official's knowledge of Khasnis or his work, was he lacking in even basic manners?

The fact that Sri Khasnis refused help from fans and admirers only strengthened my respect for him. This is I think part of the greater tragedy that has become Kannada literature, and specifically publication.

Writers are frequently taken for a ride by publishers (speaking from experience in my family). In their old age, idealists like Khasnis refuse help from others. And we have the philistines in the government as the last resort.

Is it a wonder then that no one these days wants to pursue the arts as a career? Who is losing out?