Mysore/Mysuru: “Basava Jayanti will be celebrated on Oct. 7and 8 at Kalamandira in city, under the joint aegis of Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva – Lingayat Mahasabha, Veerashaiva-Lingayat Associations and Organisations and Federation of Basava Balaga, ” said Basava Jayanti Programme Committee President M. Chandrashekar.

Addressing media persons at Patrakarthara Bhavan in city yesterday, Chandrashekar said that Chief Minister Siddharamaiah will inaugurate the stage event at 10 am in Kalamandira. Suttur Seer Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji will grace the occasion and Forest Minister B. Eshwar Khandre will preside, he added.

Giving the details of the two-day event, Chandrashekar said that the celebrations  will begin with the flag hoisting in front of the statue of Basavanna opposite JSS Mahavidyapeetha on Ramanuja Road in city tomorrow (Oct.7) at 8.30 am. Gavadagere Sri Gurulinga Jangama Deva Mutt Seer Sri Nataraja Swamiji will unfurl Shatsthala flag, followed by a procession that will be flagged off by MLA B.Y. Vijayendra. The procession will begin with the puja to Nandi Dhwaja, with artistes rendering Mangala Vadya, performing Veeragase dance, tableaux and art troupes going along with the procession. The procession will pass through New Sayyaji Rao Road, K.R. Circle, D. Devaraja Urs Road and Hunsur Road before culminating at Kalamandira.

 Mayor Shivakumar, Deputy Commissioner Dr. K. V. Rajendra, Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner Ashaad-Ur-Rahman Shariff, City Police Commissioner Ramesh Banoth, Karnataka State Open University VC  Dr. Sharanappa V. Halase, former Mayor Sunanda Palanetra, Corporator B.V. Manjunath and Tahsildar C. Girish will also be taking part in the procession, added Chandrashekar.

Later in the afternoon, a seminar on the topic ‘Equality: Basavanna’s Opinion,’ will be held during which retired Director of Kendra Sahitya Academy and Akashvani Dr. Basavaraja Sadara will speak on ‘Sama Samaja,’ while Prof. N.K. Lolakshi will speak on the topic ‘Women’s Equality’ and critic Dr. H. Dandappa on ‘Kayaka Tatva.’  Former Chairman of Kannada Development Authority Prof. S.G. Siddaramaiah will preside over the session.

Cultural programmes have been organised at 5 pm, which will be inaugurated by the VC  of Karnataka State Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University Dr. Nagesh V. Bettakote. Film actor K.V. Nagaraj Murthy will be the chief guest. Vidushi Shubha Raghavendra and troupe will present a Vachana concert.

Second day events

On Oct. 8 at 10 am, Women and Child Committee has organised cultural programmes. Mysuru Royal Family Member Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar will be the special invitee while Women and Child Welfare Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar will inaugurate the programme.  Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambarish will be the chief guest. Director of State Educational Research and Training Department V. Sumangala will preside over, said Chandrashekar.

 At 12 noon, talent award programme for SSLC and PUC students has been organised by Mysuru District Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha followed by sessions at 2 pm, where thinker Prof. M. Krishne Gowda will speak on ‘Sharanara Kayaka Tatva,’ former Chairman of Sahitya Academy Dr. B.V. Vasanth Kumar on ‘Sharanara Jeevana Moulyagalu’ and former Chairman of Kannada Book Authority Dr. M.N. Nandeesh Hanche will speak on ‘Sharanaru Katta Bayasida Samaja’. Seer Sri Kaada Siddheshwara Swamiji of Sri Kaneri Mutt, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, will pay an ode to Vijayapura’s Jnanayogi Siddeshwara Swamiji at 4 pm.

 The valedictory ceremony will be held at 4.30 pm that will be graced by Tumakuru Siddaganga Mutt Seer Sri Siddalinga Swamiji and Sri Kshetra Devanur Seer Sri Mahantha Swamiji. President of Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha Dr. Shamanur Shivashankarappa will preside. Book ‘Karnataka Sharana Kathamrutha’ will be released by Kundur Mutt’s Dr. Sharath Chandra Swamiji. Former Minister V. Somanna will deliver the valedictory address. Chamarajanagar MP V. Sreenivasa Prasad and Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha will be the chief guests. Actor Daali Dhananjaya will also be present. Danseuse Dr. Kripa Phadke and troupe will perform a dance ballet ‘Vachana Vybhava’ at the valedictory function.