Mysuru: Noting that 12th century social reformer Basavanna is very much alive even today through his Vachanas, Sharana Philosophy promoter Shankar Devanur has said that everyone should strive for saving our rich folk culture.

He was speaking after releasing writer Dr. Mukthamba’s work “Vachanakara Soundarya Meemase” at a programme jointly organised by Akhila Bharatha Sharana Sahitya Parishat and Vividh Educational & Cultural Trust at Rajendra Bhavan in JSS Hospital premises here recently.

Observing that most of the ‘Mahakavyas’ can be found globally in numerous languages, he said that Kannada has the distinction of introducing the popular Vachana literature.

Maintaining that rekindling awareness formed the basis of Sharana philosophy, he said that many Sharanas and the masses based their life on the teachings of Vachanas and hence it has become inevitable for us to save our rich folk culture.

Former Prasaranga Director Dr. C. Naganna spoke about the book. JSS Mahavidyapeetha Director Prof. Morabada Mallikarjunaswamy, Scholar Apparao Akkone, writer Prof. Maleyur Guruswamy, Mahalakshmi Charitable Trust President Shivakumar, Sharana Sahitya Parishat President G.R. Parameshwarappa, Vividh Educational & Cultural Trust President Dr. Bettaswamy, former District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President M. Chadrashekhar, Dr. Vinodamma and others were present.