Folk singer Malavalli Mahadevaswamy opens his heart out to audience

Mysuru: The Kannada and Culture Department through its maintenance funds has dedicated one more unique open air mini theatre ‘Chintana Chavadi’ to the public yesterday at the Kalamandira premises.  This is in addition to the mini theatre near the Kalamandira.

Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep inaugurated the mini open air theatre yesterday at Kalamandira premises. The opening was very memorable with well-known Janapada singer Malavalli Mahadevaswamy and his troupe singing songs on Male Mahadeshwara and Siddappaji. Later, in the programme ‘Sadakarondige Naavu Neevu’ he opened his heart out by speaking about his life’s journey.

Mahadevaswamy’s life: Extreme poverty and hunger in his life is what motivated him to pick up the art of singing. He was wandering, singing and begging in search of food (ragi).  “The singing I did then has now become a way of life for me. There was a time when I was not in a position to even enter a city. But due to the grace of God and his blessings for me in this art, I have gone to far away America and returned. I have seen Dr. Rajkumar’s ‘Bangarada Manushya’ 99 times. I passed my tenth standard in 1969 and stopped studying as I did not have resources to continue,” he recounted.

Mahadevaswamy grew up listening to the folk songs sung by his forefathers at the courtyard of his home in the village. He would never miss any play staged in the neighbouring villages and towns. His father had entrusted him with the work of grazing cattle and tilling the land. “However, Purigali’s Boregowda educated me. He also taught me life’s lessons that if I wander to different places singing I can fill my sack with ragi,” he recalled.

Later, Ullamballi Mahadevappa taught him to sing the songs of great saints like Male Mahadeshwara, Siddappaji, Nanjundeshwara, Chennigarama and Manteswamy. “I do not have any other wealth apart from my voice. My throat itself is like having 25 acres of land. I am prepared to teach these songs to the youth if they are willing to learn,” he said.  

Kannada and Culture Department Assistant Director H.Chennappa, in his opening remarks, said that the DC had sanctioned Rs.20 lakh for the development of the garden. The Chintana Chavadi has been set up at a cost of Rs.3.80 lakh. Today the interaction with Janapada singer Malavalli Mahadevaswamy was arranged. In future ‘Sadakarondige Naavu Neevu’ will be arranged every Wednesday. A committee has been formed to select the achievers, he added.

Rangayana Director Bhagirathi Bai Kadam and Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy participated as guests.

Theatre persons Mandya Ramesh, Prof. H.S. Ramachandregowda, Rajashekar Kadamba, Mime Ramesh, Dr. Y.D. Rajanna  and representatives of other organisations were present on the occasion.