Mangaluru: Former MLA Shakuntala T Shetty’s autobiographies go beyond recounting political experiences to offer insights into social justice, women’s struggles and moral values, writer Narendra Rai Derla said.
Speaking at the launch of her two books, Tuluvere Thingolda Polabu and Chitta Bhittiya Patthaya, at Tulu Bhavana on Thursday, Derla said leaders who rose from the grassroots were better placed to understand and address issues of social justice.
He said Shetty had given priority to morality in her writing, making the books relevant to society rather than limiting them to accounts of political events.
The programme was organised jointly by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, Karavali Lekhakiyara Sangha and Aakruti Aashaya Publications.
Introducing Tuluvere Thingolda Polabu, academy member Kumbra Durgaprasad Rai said the book featured rare Tulu vocabulary and explained the monthly customs and observances of Tulunadu in simple language.
Shetty recalled that she began writing poems during her school days but stopped after marriage. She later returned to writing through the Yuva Jana Mela and Akashvani, before taking another break after entering politics. She said she had now resumed writing.
Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy president Taranath Gatti Kapikad presided over the event. Writer and researcher B M Rohini and Karavali Lekhakiyara mattu Vachakiyara Sangha secretary Krishnaveni were among those present.
