Film on Kittel, author of first major Kannada-English dictionary, to screen in Bengaluru on July 27
Bengaluru: A new film chronicling the life and legacy of Rev. Ferdinand Kittel, the 19th-century German missionary who compiled the first comprehensive Kannada-English dictionary, will be screened this weekend in Bengaluru. The screening will be followed by a talk by director Prashant Pandit.
Titled The Word and the Teacher, the trilingual documentary—made in English, Kannada, and German—delves into Kittel’s significant contributions to Kannada linguistics, particularly his landmark 70,000-word dictionary.
The project is a result of three years of research by Pandit, a filmmaker from Mysuru, who was first introduced to Kittel’s work in school, as reported by Deccan Herald.
Pandit initially struggled to find more information than what he had learnt in his childhood. “Indians don’t believe in documentation,” he remarked. In contrast, he found extensive records and archival material in Germany, which helped unearth what he describes as “many surprises” for the audience.
The film uses a first-person narrative, crafted from Kittel’s letters and reports. It has been shot across locations in South India and Germany and features archival footage. Notably, it also showcases an early Kannada typeface created by Kittel himself, which Pandit has now digitised. Once widely used in the 1860s, this typeface has been revived and made publicly accessible, DH added.
Reflecting on Kittel’s commitment to language and meaning, Pandit observed, “We live in a post-truth world where words have no fixed meaning,” adding that Kittel’s efforts to define language offer a striking contrast to today’s ambiguity.
Pandit hopes the film will prompt reflection, noting that in today's world, people are divided by numerous boundaries—politics, religion, and language—whereas Kittel had the courage to transcend them all.
The screening will take place on July 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Bangalore International Centre, Domlur. Entry is free. For more details and registration, visit bangaloreinternationalcentre.org
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Kasaragod: Father kills teen daughter over family feud, arrested
Kasaragod: An 18-year-old girl was allegedly hacked to death by her father following a family dispute at Kunjathur, Thuminad near Manjeshwara on Tuesday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Jumaila, a resident of Thuminad. Police said the accused, Umar Farooq, has been arrested in connection with the murder.
According to police sources, Jumaila was found lying in a pool of blood after neighbours rushed to the house on hearing her screams.
She was shifted to a hospital, but doctors declared her dead.
Locals said that Umar Farooq, who had been working abroad, returned to the village about three months ago.
Since his return, the family had been involved in frequent disputes, reportedly over property-related issues.
Police officials visited the spot and have launched a detailed investigation into the incident.
