Mysore/Mysuru: Following Kanakadasa’s message is the way for ending caste system in the country as the great Saint-Poet always advocated equality, said MLC Dr. D. Thimmaiah.

He was speaking at Kanakadasa Jayanti and ‘Kanakashri’ Awards presentation programme organised jointly by Kannada Sahitya Kalakoota and Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jagruta Vedike at Pathrakartara Bhavan here on Thursday. Asserting that Kanakadasa’s teachings and preachings are relevant for all times, Dr. Thimmaiah said that Kanakadasa’s literary works espoused the cause of social reforms and human values.

He further said that the Saint-Poet had dreamt of building an equal society where everyone lived in peace and harmony.

Karnataka Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jagruta Vedike President K.S. Shivaramu said that Kanakadasa spent his life for reforming the society.

Contending that Kanakadasa’s Keertanas stand foremost in sending a reformist message to the society, he opined that the Saint-Poet’s literary works advocates the strong need for an equal society.

Achievers from different fields — B.V. Srinivas Gupta, Hon. Secretary of Vasavi Shantidhama Public Charitable Trust, Retired Officer and Janapada Academy awardee Dr. K. Rameshwarappa, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences faculty Dr. B. Dinesh, University of Mysore Department of Studies in Genetics and Genomics Dean Suttur S. Malini and Darideepa Charitable Trust President M. Pradeep Kumar — were conferred ‘Kanakashri’ Awards on the occasion.

Senior Mysore Akashvani announcer Dr. Mysore Ramesh, Social worker K. Raghuram Vajpayee, Kannada Sahitya Kalakoota President M. Chandrashekar, A.P. Nagesh, D. Nagabhushan, Yogesh Uppar, H.S. Prakash, Ravinandan, N.R. Nagesh and others were present.