Every generation has its task cut out in bequeathing the land’s time-honoured wealth comprising mainly the principles of live ‘n’ let live for enduring orderly life, far different from its contemporary features marked by countrywide unrest due to gross neglect of its duty to mould minds of the succeeding generation. Given the thirty-year span that separates one generation from the next, it shouldn’t be a tall order to accept that responsibility and carry it out as a duty. Mother is universally associated with that duty, considered as the child’s first teacher, if not as also the first friend, philosopher and guide. Mother herself having been a child before, the canvas on which she draws the path for her child is vast and mind-boggling in its details. Her own background dotted by early experiences in life, education, ambience in which she grew, economic health of her family, her place in society, company she keeps, outlook to life and so on do impact the way she manages the child amidst the domestic chores. The urban-based mother forced to work for livelihood cannot spare time for her child to the extent required to fulfil her duty to the child.
The voluminous literature in the land’s various languages, including Kannada, in the form of proverbs, idioms, verses, words of wisdom (Subhashitha), fables, epics and others is a veritable cornucopia as a source of the ground rules of the game of moulding not only minds but also the manner of conducting oneself in different situations both at home and in the open.
