Author Srikar Raghavan Explores Karnataka’s Cultural Landscape at INTACH Dialogue

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Mangaluru : The Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), in collaboration with Art Kanara Trust, hosted a thought-provoking cultural dialogue with journalist and author Srikar Raghavan on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Kodialguthu Centre for Art and Culture, Ballalbagh, Mangaluru.

Held under INTACH’s “Meet the Author” series, the programme spotlighted Raghavan’s debut non-fiction work Rama Bhima Soma, which presents a sweeping exploration of Karnataka’s cultural and intellectual traditions through the 20th century.

The session opened with a brief introduction of the author by Deekshith R. Pai, member of the INTACH Mangaluru Chapter. In his presentation, Raghavan elaborated on the book’s central themes, which draw from a wide array of disciplines including literature, arts, philosophy, social movements, and environmental thought.

“While scholarly work exists in each of these individual fields, my effort was to bring them into a single, cohesive conversation,” Raghavan said, explaining how his postgraduate thesis eventually grew into a wider intellectual inquiry. The book also features insights from interviews with artists, writers, thinkers, social leaders, trade union activists, and feminists.

A vibrant audience discussion followed, covering topics such as the dynamics between maarga-desi traditions, the role of vernacular expression in shaping identity, the camaraderie among artists, and the rise and fall of literary movements. The conversation also reflected on the contributions of eminent Kannada thinkers like M. M. Kalburgi, Kum. Veerabhadrappa, U. R. Ananthamurthy, and Lankesh, among others. The event concluded with a felicitation of the author by Subhas Chandra Basu, Convener of INTACH.

Rama Bhima Soma has been widely noted for its lucid prose and interdisciplinary approach, offering readers a nuanced understanding of Karnataka’s cultural evolution. The evening served as a meaningful platform for reflection on the state’s literary and social legacy.