Mysuru: Basava Jayanti will be celebrated on a grand scale by District Administration, Veerashaiva Association and Basava Balaga Okkuta from Apr. 28 to 30.

Disclosing this at a press meet at Rajendra Bhavan in JSS Hospital premises here yesterday, Celebration Committee President Dr. Nandeesh Hanche said that the celebration would be graced by Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji and Heads of all Mutts in the district.

He added that a colourful procession would be taken out from Basavanna statue at Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Circle to be launched by former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

The procession would have folk troupes, decorated tableaux and traditional music. The procession would pass through Chamaraja Double Road, Narayana Shastri Road, Vani Vilas Road, Agrahara and back to starting point, he explained.

A stage programme will be held on Apr. 29 at Kalamandira at 10 am. Akashavani artiste Shyala Siddharamappa would render Vachanas. District in-Charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa would inaugurate the programme at 10.30 am.

B.S. Yeddyurappa will release the books Basava Bimba, Yuga Pravarthaka Basavanna and Kushalamathiyonka Dev (Hindi version of Kannada book Janara Deva). Jnanapith awardee Dr. Chandrashekar Kambara will deliver a lecture.

Other programmes that day include Vachana Gayana by T.M. Vaishanavi at 2.30 pm,  a seminar at 3 pm, lecture by Dr. C. Veeranna at 5.30 pm and music by M.S. Sheela at 6.30 pm.

The valedictory on Apr. 30 at 10 am will have Kannada & Culture Minister Umashree inaugurating the cultural programme under the graceful presence of Mathe Basavanjali of Basava Jnana Mandira. Cine Actors Sunil, Siri Vanalli and Aishwarya Prasad will be the chief guests. Sri Nijaguna Prabhu Thontadarya Swamiji and Dr. Sharathchandra Swamiji will speak on ‘Role of Seers’ in building a healthy society’ at 2.30 pm. Sri Adrushya Kadasiddeshwara Swamiji of Siddagiri will grace the closing ceremony at 4.30 pm. Singer Shankar Shanbhag will present a music programme at 6.30 pm.

Achievers Prashant (Agriculture), Madu Mallesh (Education), Vachana Sanchya Troupe (Literature), M. Nikhilesh Mallikarjun (social service), Dr. Manjappa Mahadevappa (medicine) and K.L. Rahul (cricket) will be felicitated on the occasion, he explained.

Okkuta President T.S. Lokesh Thumbala, Treasurer B.S. Prashant, Gen. Secretary B. Mahesh, Veerashaiva Mahasabha District President H.V. Basavaraj and others were present.