Mysore/Mysuru: Former Rangayana Director H. Janardhan observed that it is foolish to talk about growth and  development when social evils and maladies are still very much prevalent in the country.

He was speaking after releasing veteran writer L. Shivalingappa’s pictorial work ‘Vachanantaranga Chitrataranga’ at a programme organised jointly by Mysuru District Sharana Sahitya Parishat and Mysuru District Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha at Nataraja College on Shankar Mutt Road here recently.

Maintaining that Basavadi Sharanas were committed for eradication of social evils, Janardhan said that every individual should fight for human rights.

Noting that Sharana Sahitya gave human values to the world, he said that it was Vachana Sahitya which propagated against class, creed, colour and gender discrimination.

Maintaining that it was Basavanna who gave the greatest principles to the world, he said that the 12th century social reformer never hesitated to talk to the lowest strata of the society. He even took the downtrodden sections along in his campaign for building a better society, he added.

Writer Prof. Maleyur Guruswamy, in his address, said that exhibition has gained prominence over reality these days. Regretting that the caste divisions in the society has crept into sub-castes and sub-groups as well, he regretted the tendency  to build Mantapas through a bundle of lies. He further said that values will have no meaning in a world where everything is commercialised.

Hosmutt Seer Sri Chidananda Swamiji graced the occasion. Sharana Sahitya Parishat President M.G. Sadanandaiah, District President M. Chandrashekar, Author L. Shivalingappa, Nataraja College Principal V.D. Suneetharani, writer Dr. Jamunarani Mirle and others were present.