Vishwakarma is father of innovations: MLA C T Ravi

MLA C T Ravi on Saturday lauded the divine architect Vishwakarma for his remarkable contributions in various fields.

Speaking after inaugurating Vishwakarma Jayanthi programme organised jointly by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat and Kannada and Culture Department, Ravi quoted Vedas and Puranas and said, “Vishwakarma is considered as the father of innovations for designing ‘Gandeeva’ (bow and arrow) of Arjuna, ‘Vajrayudha’ (a weapon) of Devendra and also ‘Pushpaka Vimana’ cited in Ramayana.

Vishwakarma is also considered as the first architect. It is evident in temples and monuments that stand as a testimony to fine architecture at Belur, Halebid, Badami and other places. The carvings also enable one to peek into the economic, social and political conditions of those days, he added.

Vishwakarmas, who form a population of 35 lakh in the state, still eke out living with skill works. However, the rapid industrialisation and extinction of cottage industries has impacted their inherited profession, forcing them to depend on other jobs, he regretted.

Ravi said, though a dedicated Vishwakarma Development Corporation has been formed, its activities have been hit due to paucity of funds. The chief minister should release more grants to encourage the skill-based works, he demanded.

Writer Raju N Acharya, who delivered a lecture on Vishwakarma, said, “Vishwakarma community truly believes in ‘Work is Worship’ and is adept in at least five skills. Now, the community is gradually witnessing political, economical and social progress, a repeat of those days when they commanded due respect during princely rule”.

Earlier, a flower bedecked portrait of Vishwakarma was taken out in a colourful procession, along with cultural troupes, on the main roads of the city.The procession was flagged off from taluk office premises and concluded at Kalamandira after passing through the MG road.

Chikkamagaluru Urban Development  and Taluk Panchayat President Eshwarahalli R Mahesh were present.