Mysuru: Mayor Shivakumar said that a Circle in Hebbal locality of the city will be named after Amarashilpi Jakanachari and that the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) will earmark grants for Vishwakarma community development in its Budget. He was speaking at Vishwakarma Sri Amarashilpi Jakanachari Jayanti celebration organised jointly by the District Administration and Kannada & Culture Department at Mini Theatre in Kalamandira premises here yesterday.

Pointing out that Amarashilpi Jakanachari was a legendary Indian sculptor who is credited with the sculpture of the famed Chennakeshava Temple at Belur in Hassan district and many such other sculptural wonders, Shivakumar said that entire world was mesmerised with the cultural richness and glory of Karnataka.

Noting that the Kayaka Samajas (Vocational trade based communities) have made enormous contribution for the growth of the society, he said that Vishwakarma community should get the same recognition that Sanatana Hindu temples have got.

Maintaining that the MCC has decided to name a Hebbal Circle after Jakanachari, the Mayor said that the MCC Council will pass a resolution in this regard in the next meeting.

Former Karnataka Shilpakala Academy Chairman Veeranna M. Arkasali, in his address, said that India is ‘Vishwaguru’ for sculpture. Observing that Jakanachari has made enormous contribution to the State through his magnificent sculptural works, he said temples like the ones at Belur, Lakkundi and Amrutapura have made Jakanachari a great sculptor of all times.

Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited Chairman Raghu R. Kautilya, in his address, wanted the Government to organise a big sculptural fest in the name of Jakanachari on the lines of Kannada Sahitya Sammelana.

Pointing out that Karnataka is home to many sculptural wonders, Raghu opined that Sanatana Dharma would not have got divinity without Vishwakarma community. Poet Laureate Kuvempu, taking note of the contributions of Jakanachari, has mentioned the names of Dankana-Jakana in his Naadageethe.

Continuing, Raghu said that legendary poet Sarvajna’s Tripadi explains the values of life and also educates the world on the lessons of life. But Sarvajna, who should have been adored worldwide for his priceless preachings, is unfortunately limited to only his Tripadi, just because he belonged to Kumbara community. Likewise, Jakanachari too has been meted out the same treatment, he regretted.

Observing that vocational trade of Kayaka Samajas is crucial for driving the society, Raghu said that Sharanas from backward classes used to have their own space in Basavanna’s  Anubhava Mantapa of the 12th Century, which unfortunately is not the case now.

Maintaining that caste-based Development Corporations are not of much help to the targeted communities, he said that, however, D. Devaraj Urs Backward Classes Development Corporation was a past exception, where all the Backward Classes used to get due benefits and facilities.

He wanted the Government to bring back all Backward communities under D. Devaraj Urs Development Corporation, as it is more beneficial to them.

He also appealed the Mayor to set aside special grants for development of Vishwakarma community in the MCC Budget.

MLC Dr. D. Thimmaiah too spoke. Earlier, floral tributes were paid to the portrait of Amarashilpi Jakanachari.

Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) Chairman M. Shivakumar, Deputy Mayor Dr. G. Roopa, ADC Dr. B.S. Manjunathaswamy, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal, Kannada and Culture Assistant Director Dr. M.D. Sudarshan, Vishwakarma community members M.M. Manju, B. Mahesh, Puttasomachar, Kemparaju, Suresh, Chikkade Shivakumar and others were present.