Spread Basava philosophy, says Basavalinga Pattaddevaru

The promotion of Basava culture must be intensified across the country, said president of the Federation of Lingayat Seers Basavalinga Pattaddevaru, while inaugurating the Basava Samskruti Abhiyana office at the IMA Hall in Bidar on Wednesday.

He also released the campaign’s posters and pamphlets.

Pattaddevaru urged all followers of Basava philosophy to join hands in nurturing and spreading its values.

“The State government has declared Basavanna a cultural leader and the campaign aims to take Basava culture to every household. The State-wide programme will be launched at Basavanabagewadi on September 1 and will arrive in Bidar on September 3. Bidar has been a stronghold of Basava culture, with remarkable success in Basava-oriented initiatives. This campaign must also succeed with the support of everyone,” he said.

Presiding over the event, campaign president and district president of the Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha Basavaraj Dhannur announced that on September 3, a dialogue on Basava culture and Vachana literature involving seers, dignitaries and students will be held at the Pujya Channabasava Pattaddevaru Ranga Mandira at 11 a.m in Bidar.

He said that at 4 p.m., a grand procession will begin from Basaveshwara Circle and end at B.V. Bhoomaraddi College. The highlights will include a decorated chariot, a large Ishtalinga, sacred ash, Rudrakshi beads and Vachana literature.

He said that about 1,000 women in traditional Ilkal saris and 1,000 men in dhoti-angavastram attire will take part. Depictions of 21 revered Sharanas, saints, freedom fighters, litterateurs and achievers, including Basavanna, Allamaprabhu, Channabasavanna, Akka Mahadevi, Kittur Rani Chennamma, F.G. Halakatti, Hardekar Manjappa and Sir M. Visvesvaraya, will be featured on horseback.

The procession will be free of DJs, focusing instead on victory chants, mantras, Vachana recitals, folk dances and cultural troupes, he added.

He said that at 6 p.m., a stage programme will be held at the B.V. Bhoomaraddi College Grounds. Competitions in painting and rangoli will be organised to promote the campaign.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Shivananda Swamiji of Hulasoor, Shivayogishwar Swamiji of Bhatambra, Siddarameshwar Swamiji, Gangambike Akka of Basava Seva Pratishtana, senior vice-president of the Global Lingayat Mahasabha Basavaraj Bulla, State president of Bharatiya Basava Balaga Babuwali and Kannada Sahitya Parishat district president Suresh Chanashetty. Artist Shivalinga Yaragal presented Vachana music.

Gurubasava Pattaddevaru of Bhalki, Basava Mahant Swamiji, Sugunatai, Shivasharanappa Wali, B.G. Shetkar, Babuwali, Jairaj Khandre, Sharanappa Mithare, Rajendra Jonnakere, Digambar Madival, Usha Mirche, Devaki Nagure, Suvarna Dhannur, Rajendrakumar Gandage, Yogendra Yadlapur and others were present.