'Dasa Keertans help root out evils of caste system'

Addressing the Kanaka Jayanthi celebrations held at Kuvempu Kalamandir here on Thursday, he said one should understand that any individual secures greatness not by caste but by his way of life.

Kanakadasa was a rebel who criticised the system, created awareness among the people and became near to God through his devotion, he said.
The MLA explained the government’s plans to develop Bada village, the birth place of the saint, and called for imbibing his simple philosophy in life.
Delivering a special talk on the occasion, Prof Chandraiah Naidu said the members of ‘kuruba’ community should be elevated to the level of ruling the society.
“The meaning of the birth anniversaries of great souls are becoming meaningless these days. People are going narrow-minded day by day. Youth from kuruba community should grow talented and make Kanaka Jayanthi meaningful,” he said.
Kanakadasa is the one who kindled rationalism in traditional aspects. Todays youth should develop a sceptic attitude, Ravi advised.

Zilla Panchayat President A V Gayathri Shanthegowda who inaugurated the programme, released a booklet on Kanakadasa.
City Municipal Council President H D Thammaiah, Deputy Commissioner R Narayanaswamy, ZP CEO Ramanna, SP Nagaraj, ZP Vice President Manjula Raghumurthy, CMC Vice President Kasturi S Pawar, Urban Development Authority Chairman Ranganath, Jilla Kurubara Sangha President K V Manjunath and others were present.