Latest news with #Halakatti
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Halakatti played big role in conserving Vachana literature: MLC
Mysuru: JD(S) MLC CN Manjegowda on Wednesday praised the contributions of FG Halakatti for the conservation, preservation, and promotion of Vachana literature, which has transformed the lives of millions of people across the country. He spoke after inaugurating Vachana Literature Conservation Day, organised in memory of Halakatti at a function jointly organised by the district administration and the department of Kannada and culture, held at Kirurangamandir here. He also highlighted the contributions of Halakatti, who was an advocate by profession in the North Karnataka region. Halakatti not only collected the Vachanas but also printed and published them, providing wide publicity to spread Vachanas among the masses. People knew only about 50 vachanakaras, but Halakatti, through sheer hard work, determination, and dedication, collected the vachanas written by more than 250 vachanakaras, Sharanas of the 12th century. He also helped in their (vachana) conservation and preservation. Halakatti played a key role in translating various Vachanas into English language. He advised students to imbibe the qualities of Halakatti and strive for the promotion of Vachana literature. Additional deputy commissioner P Shivaraju also remembered the contributions of Halakatti for the promotion of Vachana literature outside the state and his sacrifice for its promotion. JSS Mahavidyapeetha Publications wing director Morabada Mallikarjuna also recalled Halakatti's contributions in organising Vachana recitals in public music events and translating Vachanas into English. He was also instrumental in translating them into several other Indian languages. Joint director of Kannada and culture VM Mallikarjunaswamy and assistant director MD Sudarshan were present.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Vachana Preservation Day observed across Kalyana Karnataka in honour of Fa.Gu. Halakatti
The 146th birth anniversary of Halakatti, pioneering scholar of vachana literature, was observed as 'Vachana Preservation Day' across Kalyana Karnataka on Wednesday. The celebrations honoured his legacy in preserving and publishing vachana literature, which played a vital role in shaping Karnataka's spiritual and literary heritage. In Kalaburagi, a district-level function was held at the Suvarna Saba Bhavan under the joint aegis of the district administration, the Kannada and Culture Department, the Kalaburagi city corporation, and the zilla panchayat. The programme was inaugurated with floral tributes to Halakatti by Sharanu Pappa, president of the Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries, who hailed his work in reviving and preserving vachanas. He urged the present generation to draw inspiration from such visionaries, who worked selflessly to safeguard Karnataka's cultural roots. Delivering a special lecture, Basava Patil Jawali, principal of Madana Hipparaga Government First Grade College, emphasised how Halakatti's life embodied a deep commitment to cultural preservation. He highlighted that the scholar gave up a conventional career to dedicate himself to searching, compiling, and publishing vachanas. His efforts illuminated the lives and teachings of over 250 vachanakaras, he said. R.C. Phale, retired Dy. SP, recounted Halakatti's educational journey from Dharwad to Bombay (now Mumbai), where he earned his law degree. Despite his legal background, Halakatti chose to live a simple life while dedicating himself to social upliftment. Other speakers, including Ravindra Shahabadi of Veerashaiva Mahasabha and Shivasharanappa Danni, assistant director of Social Security and Pensions, praised Halakatti's foresight and grassroots work. A cultural procession featuring traditional music and social thinkers was also held from Jagat Circle to the event venue. In Koppal, Deputy Commissioner Suresh B. Itnal inaugurated the celebration at Sahitya Bhavan, describing Halakatti as a true torchbearer of vachana literary tradition. He noted that Halakatti's role in collecting scattered vachanas helped preserve the essence of the 12th-century sharana movement, led by Basavanna and other reformers. 'The ideals enshrined in the Constitution were already expressed by Basavanna and other sharanas in the 12th century. Everyone should strive to embody their values,' he said. Historian Ashok Basappa Baragundi delivered a keynote address, calling Halakatti the 'grandfather of vachana literature' and describing his journey from a lawyer to a cultural reformer. At a special ceremony held at Fa. Gu. Halakatti Circle, dignitaries paid floral tributes and participated in a flag-hoisting ceremony in honour of the scholar. In Ballari, K.E. Chidanandappa, president of the District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority, inaugurated the event at the Cultural Complex on Dr. Rajkumar Road. He highlighted how Halakatti's work rescued the voices of the sharanas from historical obscurity. Scholar A. Timmana Gowda, in his special lecture, said that Halakatti's contributions went beyond literature—extending into education, cooperative movements, and printing technology. 'Before Halakatti's efforts, only 50 vachanakaras were known; his work revealed over 250,' he said. The Ballari event also featured a vachana music performance by Doddayya V. Kallur and team, and was attended by senior officials.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
F.G. Halakatti's contribution to Vachana literature remembered
B.V. Nandeesh, Assistant Director of the Department of Kannada and Culture, Mandya, on Wednesday said that F.G. Halakatti was a great writer who introduced Vachana literature to the entire world. He was speaking at the birth anniversary programme of Halakatti organised at the Kannada and Culture Department office in Karnataka's Mandya district. 'This year marks the 145th birth anniversary of Halakatti, and his contributions to Kannada vachanas, literature, and translations are immense,' he said. Mr. Nandeesh added that schools and colleges in the district have been called upon to celebrate Halakatti's birth anniversary and introduce students to the writer's life, principles, and ideals.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
‘Selfless service of Halakatti got us treasure of vachana literature'
'It is because of the dedicated efforts and selfless service of Halakatti that thousands of vachanas of 12th century reformer Basavanna and his contemporary vachanakaras are now available to us,' chairman of Karnataka Bal Vikas Academy Sangamesh Babaleshwar has said. He was inaugurating the birth anniversary celebrations of Halakatti, better known as 'father of Vachana literature', in Dharwad on Wednesday. The programme was organised by the district administration in association with the Department of Kannada and Culture. 'Vachana literature is considered great with a spiritual message and it is because of Halakatti we got this treasure. Halakatti tirelessly travelled villages, hamlets, and managed to collect thousands of vachanas written on palm leaves. He subsequently compiled them and despite financial constraints set up his own printing press to publish the compilation,' he said. Mr. Sangamesh said that it would be no exaggeration to say that if not for Halakatti's service, the treasure of vachana literature would have been lost. 'That is the reason why Halakatti is called the father of vachana literature and his birth anniversary is being celebrated as vachana literature conservation day,' he said. He also emphasised the need for teaching children about the life and contribution of such personalities and suggested holding birth anniversary celebrations of various vachanakaras in schools and colleges. Mayor of Hubballi Jyoti Patil too emphasised the need for teaching children about vachana literature, which advocated the need for treating everyone equally. Additional Deputy Commissioner Geeta C.D. said that the the vachanas of the sharanas comprised ethical and moral values. Writer Siddanna Langoti delivered a lecture on Halakatti's life and contribution. Chairman of Dr. M.M. Kalburgi National Memorial Trust Viranna Rajur and others were present.
