Mysore/Mysuru: Two Kannada books ‘Pouranika Natakatraya,’ authored by late Basavanna Swamy and ‘Basavanna Swamigala Sahityavalokana,’ written by B.V. Umakantha Borayyanahundi, were released by Dr. K.V. Nagaraja Murthy, Chairman, Karnataka Nataka Academy, at a function held at Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Bhavan, JSS Hospital premises recently.

Speaking after releasing the books, Dr. Nagaraja Murthy said that if Indian mythologies are still alive today among the people of the country, it is because of our theatre activists including singers and folk singers. They formed numerous troupes to propagate the ideals of Vachanas through Tatvapadas and folk songs, to common man. “The State Government has declared Basavanna as a Cultural Leader. All religious heads of the State will, in a campaign to be held from Sept. 1 to 30, organise people who are followers of Basavanna and his ideals,” said Dr. Nagaraja Murthy.

Continuing, he said that Pha.Gu. Halakatti published Vachana Sahitya and made them linger in the minds of the people. While Basavanna founded the Lingayat community, the most humanitarian religion, Poet Laureate Kuvempu propagated the message of Universal Man. Both of them have contributed to the expansion of the society. Basavanna declared that ‘There is no religion without compassion and compassion is the foundation of all religions.’ Hence, it is essential to preserve the legacy of Sharanas, opined the Chairman of Karnataka Nataka Academy.

“In one of his plays, Dr. Chandrashekar Kambar has stated that King Bijjala was not killed by Sharanas which has been hailed by everyone by appreciating the viewpoint of Dr. Kambar. But even before that, about 70 years ago, late Basavanna Swamy had written about this. Both Dr. Kambar and late Basavanna Swamy are rationales,” he concluded.

Sri Mahanta Swamiji of Devanur Gurumalleshwara Mutt, Sri Siddamalla Swamiji of Somahalli Veerasimhasana Mutt, retired Professor D.N. Sadashivamurthy, Publisher D.N. Lokappa of Samvahana Publications and others were present.