Latest news with #Basava
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Basavanna's teaching relevant even today'
Mysuru: The democratic ideals and social reforms pioneered by the 12th-century philosopher and reformer Basavanna were the focal point at the 'Namma Basava Jayanthi 2025' celebrations held at Kalamandira on Sunday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It was organised jointly by Basava organisations and the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha. State BJP chief BY Vijayendra attended the valedictory session. Addressing the gathering at the morning session, Mukthamba, president of the state women's wing of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha, emphasised Basavanna's foundational role in promoting democratic governance and social equity. "Through the Anubhava Mantapa, Basavanna not only showed how governance should be conducted, but also laid the groundwork for addressing complex social issues. He offered a vision of democracy centuries ahead of its time," she said. She asserted that the credit for introducing the concept of democracy in India belongs to Basavanna, whose teachings remain relevant in today's socio-political climate. "The Anubhava Mantapa, where individuals from all walks of life—including women—were given equal voice, was the forerunner of our present parliamentary system. His ideas on equality, dignity of labour, and community dialogue offer enduring solutions to today's challenges," she added. Pragathi MG, director, Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Lingayatha Mahasabha, emphasised the inclusive nature of the event, with a greater focus on women, children, and inter-community participation, carrying forward Basavanna's universal message. The two-day Namma Basava Jayanthi celebration featured cultural performances, including drama on Basava Vachanas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now BJP state president Vijayendra emphasized the importance of unity within the Veerashaiva Lingayat Samaja, urging everyone to stand together and remain connected through shared values and traditions. He expressed concern over the increasing influence of mobile phones, WhatsApp, YouTube, and the internet, noting that while technology has its advantages, it is also leading many—especially the youth—to drift away from cultural roots. Vijayendra urged the community to strike a balance between modernity and tradition, ensuring that cultural identity is not lost in the digital age. His message serves as a powerful reminder that unity, cultural pride, and inclusive thinking are essential in building a strong and harmonious society.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Horse power: The bronze equestrians of Bengaluru
In less than two weeks, Bangalore's summer racing season will kick off at the century-old Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) in the heart of the city. Way back in 1916, Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar leased out 92 acres of prime real estate in the neighbourhood known as High Grounds to the stewards of the Bangalore races, under the condition that the land be used exclusively for horse racing. On May 20, 1921, those stewards created the Bangalore Race Club (which, in 1956, became the BTC). Horses and horsepersons have been around in Bangalore well before the BTC, of course, as the number of equestrian statues dotting the city reveal. The oldest is the statue of Sir Mark Cubbon, Commissioner of Bangalore from 1834 to 1861. Respected both by the locals and his fellow officers, the horse-mad Cubbon personally owned 60 fine steeds, which he stabled in the extensive grounds of his home (today the Karnataka Raj Bhavan) in the High Grounds. His statue, cast in bronze by Baron Marochetti, a Chelsea sculptor who was the toast of London society, arrived in Bangalore in 1866, and eventually found a home in the park that was named after him. About a hundred metres behind Cubbon, in the forecourt of the Vidhana Soudha, stand two equestrian statues unveiled in March 2023, mere weeks before the Karnataka state elections. One features Kempegowda I, who established, some two kilometres to the south of his statue, the original pete of Bengaluru in 1537. In recent years, giant (non-equestrian) statues of the founding father – recognisable by his turban, his naked sword, and the ultimate symbol of south Indian machismo, a luxuriant moustache – have mushroomed all over the city, including at our eponymous, beautiful airport. (Similar iconography marks the statues of 19th century Belagavi revolutionary Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna, after whom the City railway station is named - the only difference is that KSR holds a shield.) The other statue is of Basaveshwara, saint, poet, political administrator and reformer from north Karnataka, who launched a radical movement for social change in the 12th century, and whose deeply inclusive philosophy, expressed as simple, accessible Kannada poetry, is evoked to this day, often in the well of the Karnataka legislative assembly behind him. Very close to this statue, on the Race Course Road, is another, bigger, equestrian statue of Basava. Both statues are distinguished by Basava's crown, his sheathed sword, and the linga at his throat. Basava's followers, the Lingayats, form one of the two most populous, powerful caste groups in the state; the other is the Vokkaligas, to which community Kempegowda belonged. The only equestrian statue of a woman is to be found next to the Puttanna Chetty Town Hall on JC Road. From atop a pedestal that most resembles an upside-down wedding cake, the valiant Rani Chennamma of Kittur (in Belagavi district) presides fiercely over one of the most congested junctions in the city. In 1824, decades before Lord Dalhousie enforced the infamous Doctrine of Lapse, which did not recognize adopted children as royal heirs, Chennamma went to war against the East India Company to protect the rights of her own adopted son. An early victory turned her into a Kannada folk hero for the ages; sadly, she was arrested soon after and died in captivity in 1829. In the verdant surrounds of Lalbagh stands the equestrian statue of Chamarajendra Wadiyar X, another adopted heir, who took the reins of Mysore back in 1881, following half a century of direct British rule. Executed in classical European style, and flanked by the goddesses of Liberty and Justice, the beautiful bronze statue is a tribute to a visionary ruler who ushered Mysore into a brave new age of science, modern industry, and representative government. And then there is the equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, who could never be mistaken for anyone else, on the ramparts of an ersatz fortress at the Sankey Tank in Sadashivanagar. Bangalore was once the fiefdom of Shivaji's father, Shahaji Bhosale, and Chhatrapati spent a few happy years of his boyhood here, in blissful ignorance of what the future would bring. (Roopa Pai is a writer who has carried on a longtime love affair with her hometown Bengaluru)
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Follow Basavanna to build discrimination-free society: MLA
1 2 Mysuru/Mandya: Former minister and KPCC working president Tanveer Sait on Wednesday said that the teachings of the 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, who propagated the principles of equality and brotherhood in his Vachanas, are always relevant to society. He was speaking after inaugurating Basava Jayanti celebrations organised jointly by the district administration and the department of Kannada and culture, in the city. He asked people to follow the ideals and teachings of Basavanna to build an equal, discrimination-free society. He bemoaned that even though such great personalities thought about a discrimination-free society , the practice of untouchability and discrimination based on caste, colour, and language has continued. People must strive to eradicate such practices, Sait, who is Narasimharaja MLA, said. Krishnaraja MLA TS Srivatsa hailed the contributions of Basavanna in transforming the lives of millions of people across the world through his Vachanas, his life, and other literary works. Writer Rajashekhar Jamadagni said Basavanna also advocated the distribution of wealth and equal opportunities for all citizens. Basavanna was instrumental in the establishment of Anubhava Mantapa as a religious parliament, encouraging discussion and free speech from people of all faiths. MLC D Thimmaiah, District Sharana Sahitya president MG Sadanandaiah, Kannada Sahitha Kalakoota president M Chandrashekhar, and additional deputy commissioner P Shivaraju were present. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'Vishwa Guru' Meanwhile, in Mandya, agriculture minister N Cheluvarayaswamy described the 12th-century social reformer as Vishwa Guru. He was speaking after offering floral tribute to the portrait of Basavanna at the Basava Jayanti celebrations organised jointly by the district administration, zilla panchayat, and the department of Kannada and culture, held in Mandya. The minister also highlighted the contributions of Basavanna in trying to establish an egalitarian, discrimination-free society by uniting people under one faith. Durdundeshwara Mahantha Shivayogi Mutt seer Trinethra Mahantha Swami recalled the works of Basavanna for treating women with equal respect, upholding the dignity of women, and ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women during the 12th century. He asked people to shun arrogance and hatred and to follow the ideals of Basava dharma to build a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous society. The seer also appreciated the vachanas of the 12th century that brought changes in the lives of crores of people, he said. Mandya MLA P Ravikumar, superintendent of police Mallikarjuna Baladandi, and additional deputy commissioner BC Shivanandamurthy were present.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Processions, cultural programmes mark Basava Jayanti in several districts
Festive spirit pervaded the districts of Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, Uttara Kannada and Davangere on Wednesday as hundreds of people took out processions and paid floral tributes to 12th century social reformer Basavanna (Basaveshwara) who strived for creation of an egalitarian society on his birth anniversary. While it was common sight to see a beeline of political leaders, officials and office-bearers of various organisations in front of the statues of the social reformer installed at junctions across the districts of North Karnataka to pay floral tributes, a majority of the Basava Kendras that are involved in propagation of Basava ideology took out processions carrying bundles of Vachanas overhead along with the portraits of Basaveshwara mounted on embellished vehicles. Various groups under the aegis of different organisations engaged in spreading the message of Basaveshwara, apart from Dalit organisations, organised various programmes to mark the birth anniversary of the saint-poet who is considered by many as the founder of Lingayat dharma. Vachana recitation, discourses on Vachanas were held as part of the celebrations. For the Basava Kendras it was a festival and several of them organised week-long programmes to mark the occasion. In the run-up to Basava Jayanti, the Basava Kendra on Gokul Road in Hubballi organised a 10-day programme with discourses on various Sharanas who were contemporary of Basavanna (Basaveshwara). As work on elevated road at Kittur Chennamma Circle is under progress, the procession in Hubballi was shifted to Rayanala where the Basava Kendra is located. During the procession, the portrait of Basavanna and a mural of him was taken out from Arjun Vihar Cross. And, after covering the streets of Lohiya Nagar and Murarji Nagar, the procession concluded at Basava Samskruti School, where Basava Jayanti programme was organised. Along the route, scores of women from various Mahila Mandals sang the Vachanas in chorus. Indira Glass House in Hubballi witnessed a steady flow of visitors who came to garland the equestrian statue of Basavanna and similar was the scene at Jubilee Circle in Dharwad, where the equestrian statue of Basaveshwara is installed. The district administration in Dharwad organised a colourful procession to mark the occasion and an official programme was held in the evening in which Ministers took part. In colleges, government offices and other places, Basava Jayanti was celebrated by offering floral tributes to Basavanna and conducting talks on his life and contribution and the social revolution he initiated during the 12th Century. In all the districts of the region, official Basava Jayanti programmes were held at government offices and cultural programmes were organised at district and taluk centres. Motorcycle rallies by young motorcyclists with flags having the portrait of Basaveshwara tied to their handlebars was a common sight in all these districts.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vachana Mantapa construction to begin shortly in Kalaburagi: Minister
Government of Karnataka will construct a 'Vachana Mantapa' in Kalaburagi to spread the universal message of 12th century social reformer Basavanna and the vachana movement, Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil announced during the Basava Jayanti celebrations in Kalaburagi on April 30. He made the announcement after paying floral tribute to the equestrian statue of Basaveshwara at Jagat Circle in Kalaburagi. The event was organised jointly by the district administration, Kalaburagi City Corporation, Department of Kannada and Culture, and the Basava Jayanti Celebration Committee. 'The project was included in the 2024–25 State budget. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed us to commence construction work immediately. The district administration is preparing the blueprint,' he said. Highlighting the lifelong efforts of Basavanna and other sharanas of the 12th century to build a casteless and equitable society, the Minister said that the essence of the Sharana movement, rooted in compassion and equality for all beings and the transformative power of vachanas, should be passed on to future generations. 'We must preserve and nurture the practice of Ishta Linga worship and the cultural heritage of Basava philosophy,' he said. Speaking on the inclusivity of Basava's ideology, Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission Vice-Chairperson B.R. Patil remarked that even those who do not wear the Ishta Linga can be followers of Basavanna. 'Wearing the Linga is not a prerequisite for being Basavanna's follower. Even those who do not wear it can follow his teachings. Our Lingayat identity stemmed from a time when people from marginalised communities adopted the linga as a symbol of spiritual equality,' he said. Commending the Dalit Sangharsha Samit for its efforts to promote Buddha-Basava-Ambedkar philosophy across Karnataka, he emphasised the importance of upholding ideas over idolising individuals. 'Basavanna's social revolution stemmed from embracing inter-caste marriage and the dignity of labour. We must glorify ideas, not individuals — be it Basavanna or Ambedkar. If we glorify only individuals, the ideas will fade,' he cautioned. MLA and Jayanti Committee Chairperson M.Y. Patil called for embracing the Kayaka Sharanas who have drifted away, reiterating Basavanna's revolutionary role in advocating inter-caste harmony and establishing an egalitarian society. He also noted that Basava Jayanti had evolved from mere processions to ideologically rich celebrations since the rediscovery of vachana literature. Retired professor Dr. Durgadas, delivering a lecture, identified Kalyana Karnataka as Basavanna's land of action, praising the vachanas for their accessibility and spiritual depth. He portrayed Basavanna as a humanitarian who transcended orthodoxy and championed rational thought from a young age. Recognition for outstanding individuals Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner B. Fouzya Taranum was felicitated for winning the Election Commission of India's award for best district election officer while the family of Mohan Kumar from Dora Jambga village was honoured as he secured the 982nd rank in the UPSC exams. Sarangadhara Deshikendra Mahaswamiji of Sarangamath hoisted the Shatsthala flag, and blessed the event and the gathering. MLA Allamaprabhu Patil presided over the event. MLCs B.G. Patil, Tippannappa Kamakanoor and Shashil G. Namoshi, City Police Commissioner S.D. Sharannappa, Superintendent of Police Addoor Srinivasalu and leaders from Lingayat community were among the participants.
