Mysuru: Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha, Veerashaiva Lingayatha Sangha Samsthegalu haagu Basava Balagagala Okkuta, Mysuru, have organised a two-day programme at Kalamandira here on May 7 and 8 to mark Basava Jayanti celebrations.

Addressing a press conference at Pathrakartara Bhavan here on Saturday, Organising Committee President S.M. Jambukeshwar said that various cultural events and seminars would be organised to highlight the preachings of the 12th century social reformer Basavanna during the celebrations.

On May 7 at 8.30 am, Saragur’s Sri Paduvala Mutt Seer Sri Mahadeva Swamiji will hoist the flag at Dr. Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Circle to kick start the celebrations following which a procession of the portrait of Basaveshwara, along with folk troupes, bhajans, veeragaase, mangala vaadya, will be taken out from Dr. Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Circle to Kalamandira. The procession, which will be flagged off by Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G. Sankar, will pass through Basaveshwara Circle, Sayyaji Rao Rao Road, K.R. Circle, D. Devaraj Urs Road, JLB Road, Metropole Circle and Hunsur Road to reach Kalamandira.

Hosmutt’s Sri Chidananda Swamiji, Alamatti’s Sri Annadaneshwara Puravara Hiremutt Seer Dr. Sri Rudramuni Swamiji and other Seers will grace the occasion. ZP CEO K. Jyothi will be the chief guest.

Stage Programme: Former Chief Justice of India Dr. M.N. Venkatachalaiah will inaugurate the stage programme at Kalamandira at 11 am on the same day. Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji and Vijayapura’s Jnana Yogashrama Seer Sri Siddeshwara Swamiji will grace the occasion. Shivaganga Kshetra’s Sri Mela Gavimutt Seer Sri Malayashanthamuni Shivacharya Swami will preside. Historian Dr. S. Settar will deliver the keynote address; At 2.30 pm, a seminar on ‘Sharana Dharma – Samanvayate’ will be held. A special lecture on ‘Sharana Jeevana Moulyagalu’ will be delivered at 5 pm; Cultural programmes will follow from 6.15 pm onwards.

On May 8, Shobha Jayaprakash will render Vachana Gayana at 9.30 am; Sri Siddeshwara Swamiji of Jnana Yogashrama will deliver a discourse at 10.30 am and an interaction programme will be held at 11.45 am. Valedictory of the two-day celebrations will be held at 2.30 pm. Harnahalli’s Sri Kodimutt Seer Dr. Sri Shivananda Shivayogi Rajendra Swamiji will preside. Lokayukta Justice P. Vishwanatha Shetty will deliver the valedictory address. Hyderabad’s Jagadguru Ashram Pandit Moulana Syed Basha and First Mayor of Asian Origin for London borough of Lambeth and Consultant in Emergency Medicine Dr. Neeraj Patil will be the chief guests.

Felicitation: During the valedictory, the following outstanding personalities of various fields will be felicitated: Economist Prof. C.K. Renukarya (Education), Vice-Chancellor of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research Dr. B. Suresh ( Medical Service), folklore expert T.S. Rajappa (Folklore), Drama Junior award winner M.B. Amith (Culture), women pilot Rupa (Social Service) and yoga instructor Apoorva (Sports).

At 4.30 pm, MCC Commissioner Shilpa Nag will inaugurate the cultural programme. Kannada cine actor K.A. Dhanjay will be the chief guest. Prof. Chitkala Biradar will be preside.