Mysuru: As part of the 3-day Basava Jayanti celebrations organised by the District Administration, Veerashaiva Associations and Federation of Basava Balagas, the Basaveshwara statue at Gun House Circle was garlanded by MP R. Dhruvanarayan, Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, Assistant Commissioner C.L. Anand and other officers this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Dhruvanarayan expressed happiness at the government’s decision in having a portrait of Basavanna, the unparalleled social reformer, in every government office.

Stage programme

Later, a stage programme was held at Kalamandira here this morning. Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji launched the programme by garlanding the bust of Basaveshwara placed on the dais. Jnanpith awardee Dr. Chandrashekar Kambara, MPs Pratap Simha and R. Dhruvanarayan, Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Marithibbegowda, MLAs  Vasu, M.K. Somashekar and G.T. Devegowda, Mayor M.J. Ravikumar, Deputy Mayor Rathna Lakshman,  Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, Mylac Chairman H.A. Venkatesh, ZAK Chairperson Mallige Veeresh and others offered floral tributes.

Delivering a special lecture, Dr. Kambara pointed out that Kannada literature could be comprehended better only with a good knowledge of vachana sahitya. He hailed Basavanna not only as a great social reformer but also a visionary and a poet who had all the qualities of able Statesmanship.

Stating that Basavanna’s vachanas and thoughts had been incorporated in the curriculum of over 120 Universities in India  and abroad, he added that vachana sahitya deals with feelings and problems of common people with eternal reference to society.

Unlike other Jayantis organised by the District Administration recently, today’s programme had a good attendance at Kalamandira.

Colourful procession

Marking Basava Jayanti, a colourful procession was taken out last evening from Basaveshwara statue near Gun House Circle here.

Suttur Seer Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji garlanded the statue of Basaveshwara and launched the procession which comprised folk troupes, Huli vesha and musical troupes. It passed through Chamaraja Double Road, Narayana Shastri road, Siddappa Square, Agrahara and back to the starting point. Students dressed as saints too participated in large numbers.

Sri Siddamalla Swamiji of Neelakanta Mutt graced the occasion. Former Minister S.A. Ramdas, MLA M.K. Somashekar, BJP leader H.V. Rajeev, Basava Balaga President T.S. Lokesh, Veerashaiva Mahasabha City President C. Guruswamy, District President Basavaraj and others were present.

Photos of Basavanna

The Department of Information and Public Relations, in a press release, has stated that the photos of Basaveshwara approved by the State Government are available at the photo section of the Department’s Central Office in Bengaluru from today. The same can also be downloaded from the website: karnatakainformation.gov.in