Latest news with #Vachanas
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
‘Basavanna's Vachanas relevant as we're still experiencing 12th Century social evils'
Lokayukta B.S. Patil released 'My Me Is Thee' , a book on Basavanna's Vachanas translated into English by police officer Basavaraj Yeligar, in Bengaluru on Monday. Mr. Patil said that Basavanna sacrificed everything to reform society that had several evil practices and discrimination based on gender, class and caste. 'All his life, he worked hard to create a new social order,' he said. However, 'we are still experiencing some of the social conditions that were prevalent in the 12th century. Basavanna and his ideologies are still relevant.' He was speaking at an event organised in the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan there. Mr. Yeligar, who is a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Vijayapura, said his parents introduced him to Vachanas in his childhood and that he was drawn to the underlying philosophy as he grew older. 'As a student of literature, I realised that some translations existed. But I felt the need for another translation,' he said. He said that he planned to translate Vachanas of Akkamahadevi, Allama Prabhu and Chennabasavanna in the coming days. Film-maker T.S. Nagabharana praised the collective efforts of the Sharanas and said that Basavanna succeeded in organising saints and reformers from various social backgrounds. Translations will help spread Basavanna's thoughts around the world, he added. Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha president Shankar Bidri said that the Australia Basava Samiti is engaged in arranging English-translated Vachanas. Kannada Sahitya Parishad secretary Padmini Nagaraj, thinker Jambunath Malimath, Florida VV Theology Department professor Ben Gill and others spoke. Orator Mahantesh Biradar, Sharanu Sabarad, Commissioner Agriculture Y.S. Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sanjiv Patil and others were present, said a release.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM urges all communities to embrace Basavanna
Mysuru: Lord Basavanna does not belong to one caste, and all communities should embrace Basavanna as he did not fight for one community but for the entire society, said chief minister Siddaramaiah . Speaking at the Basava Jayanthi celebration organised jointly by Basava Balaga Okkuta and Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha in Mysuru, the CM announced that the Anubhava Mantapa, initiated by govt with a cost exceeding Rs 600 crore, will be completed and inaugurated next year. He described the 12th-century social reformer as not only a cultural leader but also a world economist for transforming the lives of millions of people by advocating his Kayaka (work) philosophy of life, as well as the practice of equality, and his social revolution of ending discrimination of people on caste and religious lines. He also highlighted the importance of mass feeding and opposed the categorisation of people based on work and profession in those days. "Basavanna always advocated that all work and professions carry equal weight and importance in building a discrimination-free, equal society," he said. "Basavanna and his contemporaries, like the Sharanas, were all responsible for the social revolution during the 12th century; that kind of social revolution was not witnessed in the world during that period. These social reformers strived to build a casteless, discrimination-free, equal society," the CM said. "By forming Anubhava Mantap, like a religious parliament, Basavanna also encouraged free speech, freedom of expression, and debates to end discrimination in society," he added. The CM also hailed the contributions of Vachanas and Sharanas literature for the promotion and growth of Kannada literature. "These Vachanakaras were also successful in their efforts to spread awareness among people, especially the working-class, by writing their Vachanas in simple language easily understood by those who were deprived of education in those days," he said. The CM also recalled the importance of education, his school days, and his primary schoolteacher Rajappa, who directly provided admission to him to study from Class 5 when his parents were uneducated. He also highlighted the contribution of BR Ambedkar in promoting education and the Indian Constitution, ensuring equal rights and opportunities, and safeguarding the importance of all citizens of the nation. The CM also promised to release necessary grants for the completion of the construction of Basava Bhavan in Mysuru city.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Siddaramaiah: Anubhava Mantapa will be inaugurated next year
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the Anubhava Mantapa, being constructed by the State government at Basavakalyana in Bidar district at a cost of nearly ₹600 crore, will be completed and inaugurated next year. He was speaking after inaugurating 'Basava Jayanti–2025: Our Journey Towards Anubhava Mantapa', organised by the Federation of Basava Organisations and the All India Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha, at Kalamandira here on Saturday. Mr. Siddaramaiah described Anubhava Mantapa as the first 'Parliament' because it was open to all sections of society, including women, to air their views. 'Basavanna expounded to the world a culture rooted in kayaka (labour) and dasoha (selfless service) because in ancient times, profession was linked to caste,' said Mr. Siddaramaiah. As Basavanna propounded the concept of dignity of labour, he was hence not only a social reformer but also an economic expert, Mr. Siddaramaiah added. Delving at length on the message propounded by Basavanna, the Chief Minister said the 12th century saint and reformer spoke against the caste system and the social revolution against it launched by Basavadi Sharanas has not occurred anywhere else in the world. The Basavadi Sharanas walked the talk in their struggle to build an equal and casteless society, he added. Though centuries have passed since the social reform movement, and Basavanna spoke of a casteless society, it still persists, said Mr. Siddaramaiah who pointed out that Basavanna's teachings are relevant for all time, and his values should be embraced by all sections of the society. Referring to the contributions of Basavadi Sharanas, the Chief Minister said their experiences became the Vachanas. The Vachana literature, delivered in spoken language, reached those who had been deprived of education, said Mr. Siddaramaiah. He referred to the caste discrimination in society that kept the 'lower castes' out of the purview of education which, he said, was the privilege of the 'upper castes.' Referring to his own background, the Chief Minister said that his parents were deprived of education and he himself was admitted directly to 5th standard at the insistence of Rajappa, his teacher. 'Because of Rajappa Master, I was directly admitted to the fifth grade, received education, and became Chief Minister twice,' he added and attributed his education and his political growth to the provisions made in the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The values enshrined in the Vacahanas are also reflected in the Constitution and hence it was important to study and save it, he added. Responding to the demand of the organisers, the Chief Minister assured the Federation of Basava Organisations, more funds would be allocated for the construction of Basava Bhavana. Suttur seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami, Mysuru district in-charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, MLA Tanvir Sait, and others were present. Earlier, a procession of folk artists was also taken out along the main roads of the city.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Basavanna's Vachanas translated into French, launched in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The , a form of from the , has been completed after five years of work, marking its translation into 38 at its launch at Alliance Francaise Wednesday, Basava Samiti president Aravind Jatti said, "If Vachanas reach the entire world, I think we may not have any more wars. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now That is the strength of Vachana literature." He reflected on how this egalitarian poetry, once confined to Karnataka, now has a global reach. Drawing parallels between the French Revolution and the 12th-century Sharana revolution by Basavanna and his followers, Jatti described the translations as a gateway to universal values of equality and spirituality. He urged Marc Lamy, consul general of France in Bengaluru, to help circulate the translated Vachanas in French libraries to foster global tiesLamy said, "Relations between France and India are probably at their highest right now. I'm absolutely in favour of finding a way for Campus France to return to Alliance Francaise, which will help us strengthen our bond with the consulate."Responding to a request from Chinmaya P Chigateri, president of Alliance Francaise, Lamy agreed to host a grand Bastille Day celebration in Bengaluru in 2026, hosting 450-500 guests, and promised security and logistical arrangements.30k student goal by 2030We need more French and Kannada speakers in India," Lamy said. "Student mobility is a priority for both countries. The goal is to have 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030, and it is progressing fast. Likewise, we want more French students coming to India and experiencing its diversity."— Sathvi G Bhat
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Basavanna represents all communities not just Lingayats, says Kore
'The 12th century social reformer Basavanna is not just limited to Lingayats but represents all sections and communities in society,' the former Rajya Sabha member and Chairman of KLE Society Prabhakar Kore has said. Inaugurating the Basaveshwara Jayanti programme organised by Sri Basaveshwara Study Chair of Karnatak University in Dharwad on Thursday, he said that Basavanna initiated social revolution in the 12th century through which he strived hard to provide equality to the downtrodden and women. Terming Basavanna a visionary, Dr. Kore said that there is still a lot of work to do towards spreading his message. 'The study chair should take up work translating the Vachanas of Basavanna and other Vachanakaras to other Indian languages so as to spread the message to the people residing in other States. Already, there is awareness on Basavanna in Maharashtra and Telangana where Basaveshwara's birth anniversary is celebrated in a grand manner,' he said. The former Vice-Chancellor of Karnatak University K.B. Gudasi said that Vachana literature has great significance and carries a universal message. Through the concept of Dasoha (mass feeding), Basavanna facilitated coming together of various communities and harmonious living. In fact, Basaveshwara's Vachanas provide solution to several of the present day maladies, he said. Inaugurating the Basaveshwara Library, Sri Sharathchandra Swami of Kundur Mutt in Mysuru said that it is regrettable to note that Basavanna is being used like a commodity. 'Basaveshwara is a different person altogether. Through Anubhava Mantapa, he advocated democracy and his principles and views are like guidelines to the social reformers and those ruling the country,' he said. Presiding over the function, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Karnatak University Jayashree S. said that Basavanna had raised his voice against discrimination based on sex in the 12th century and there is a need for sensitising students more about such visionaries. Registrars A. Chennappa and N.Y. Mattihal, Finance Officer C. Krishnamurthy, coordinator of the study chair C.M. Kundagol, scholar Viranna Rajur and others were present. On the occasion, members of Nirantana Foundation presented a dance drama based on Basavanna's Vachanas and a book on Halakatti authored by Ujwala Hiremath was released.
