Mandya: As the president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat in 1994, Go Ru Channabasappa had organised 63rd Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Mandya. Nearly 30 years later, he will preside over the 87th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in the same district.
Channabasappa, a freedom fighter, teacher, writer, folklore expert, was selected for the president's role unanimously during the executive committee meeting of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) which was chaired by president Mahesh Joshi. "When I called him to congratulate, he accepted our decision," Joshi said.
Channabasappa, who was the 18th president of the KSP during 1992-95, was born at Gondedahalli in Tarikere taluk of Chikkamagaluru district in 1930. He participated in the country's freedom movement during his student days. He became a teacher when he was 18. Being a teacher, he was actively involved in Bhu Daana (land donation) Movement of Vinoba Bhave. He was also active in Scouts and Guides, and served as the president of Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishat.
Channabasappa successfully organised the 62nd, 63rd and 64th sahitya sammelanas in Koppal (1993), Mandya (1994) and Mudhol (1995).
Channabasappa, popularly called ‘GoRuCha', has penned several books, important ones being ‘Karnataka Pragathipatha', ‘Sakshikallu', ‘Bagur Nagamma', ‘Graama Geethegalu', ‘Karnataka folk arts', ‘Honna Bittevu Nelakella'. He has also served as the editor for many magazines. He had also been chairman of Karnataka Folklore Academy. His books on folklore are considered as important documentation regarding Karnataka's folklore legacy.