He was speaking after inaugurating a two-day state-level workshop on “Ancient Kannada writings of Vachanas, Keerthanas and Thatwapada - an analysis”, organised jointly by the Karnataka State Open University, Prasaranga, and the Books Authority of Karnataka.

‘Bhakti’ or devotion is the basis for the vachanas and Kerthanas. These ancient writings provide a different meaning and perspective when they are revisited or when the reader goes for second reading, he said.

“There are simple Vachanas and Keerthanas which are easily understood and assimilated by  common man.

But, there are few works of these ancient literature where even a scholar will find it difficult to put it in perspective of its original meaning. As one goes for repeated study of these vachanas, different interpretations surface,” he said.

There should be continuous endeavour to understand the vachana writers like Basavanna, Akkamahadevi, Allamaprabhu and understand the writings of Budha and other philosphers, he added.

KSOU Vice-Chancellor K S Rangappa, Dean G T Devegowda, Director of Prasaranga, Dr D K Rajendra, Dr A Rangaswamy and Dr D T Basavaraju were present.