CM's move to display Basavanna's portrait in govt offices lauded

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah issuing an official notification ensuring that all government offices are adorned with portraits of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara has been well received.

 During a programme organised to mark Basaveshwara Jayanti in the city on Saturday, writer and Jnanpith awardee Chandrashekara Kambara and BJP MP Pratap Simha lauded the decision.

The programme was organised by the district administration, Akhila Bharata Veerashiva Mahasabha and Basava Balagagala Okkutta at Kalamandira here.

During the celebrations, Kambara said that Vachanas are not stories but are based on life experiences.
“Basavanna reached out to the common people with the help of vachanas. It is the right decision of the Chief Minister to have the portraits of the stalwart in government offices,” he said.

Supporting the move, Simha said that Basavanna’s contributions are vast and difficult to put down in words as it is incomparable. “People who were mired in superstitions gained much enlightenment from Basavanna. The state government’s initiative to adorn his portraits in government offices is admirable,” said the MP.

Siddaramaiah announced the move during a ceremony to thank the people of Gundlupet and Nanjangud Assembly constituency for voting Congress to power in the recently held byelections. Siddaramaiah said that, “Basavanna strived for equality in the society and stressed on human values. Hence, it has been decided to have the portrait of Basavanna.”

Highlighting the significance of vachanas, Kambara said, the book ‘Speaking of Siva’ by A K Ramanujan, which comprises vachanas of Basavanna, Devara Dasimayya, Mahadeviyakka, and Allama Prabhu, is a part of the curriculum in 120 universities across the world. “Even now, many universities have chapters on vachanas. Vachanas were developed in the form of scripts in the 19th century after the advent of the British in India. Christian missionaries described Kannada as a classical language long back, after seeing the wonderful thoughts in vachanas. Vachanakaras brought laurels to Kannada language,” Kambara said.

President of Basava Balaga Okkutta Lokesh expressed his displeasure over the government employees as only a few of them were present. He urged the district administration to take measures in this regard.

Books ‘Parashu Puttali’ written by Maleyuru Guruswamy, ‘Basava Bimba’ authored by Nandish Hanche and ‘Basavannanavara 108 Vachanagala Vyakyanasahita’ of D N Nagendrappa were released on the occasion.

Suttur seer Shivarathri Deshikendra Swami, Mayor M J Ravikumar, MP R Dhruvanarayan, MLAs G T Devegowda, M K Somashekar, Vasu, Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd (MPVL) Chairman H A Venkatesh and others were also present.

In Chamarajanagar district too, Basaveshwara Jayanti was celebrated in a grand fashion.
DH News Service