A peek into the world of Basavanna

Lakshman Badami explores a unique museum in Bagalkot district that brings the teachings and values of Basavanna to life

In Kudalasangama in Bagalkot’s Hungund taluk, an art museum invites visitors to explore the 12th-century Bhakti movement, as well as the life and achievements of the saint-social reformer Basavanna.

The Basava Sharana Kala Sangrahalaya showcases Basavanna’s teachings and his powerful vachanas in a way that connects with common people effectively. Built in a beautiful setting by artists from Bagalkot, the museum blends art, sculpture, culture and literature. It honours the Shaiva faith and the legacy of Basavanna.

At the entrance of the museum, there is a striking wall sculpture of Basavanna seated above a model of the earth, symbolising how his vachanas enlightened society like sunlight dispels darkness.

Outside the museum are large statues made of cement, fibre and plaster of Paris. These statues depict the denial of basic rights and social problems such as caste inequality, untouchability, lack of access to education, water and entry into temples.

Interesting scenes

Inside, the museum uses light and shadow effects on embossed sculptures to explain key events from Basavanna’s life — his birth, childhood, rejection of the sacred thread (yajnopavita), his studies at Kudalasangama, service under King Bijjala, and the rise of the Sharana movement.

In one part of the museum, visitors can see a sculpture of a parrot, a cat and a cage. The display message reads: “Giliyodi phalavenu? Bekku bahuda helalariyadu?” (What is the use of educating a parrot, as it cannot tell about the coming of a cat?) It reflects Basavanna’s message about meaningful education and awareness.

Another highlight is a recreation of the Anubhava Mantapa, considered to be one of the first spaces of democratic debate in the world, on a 50x12-foot space with life-size statues of Basavanna, Allama Prabhu and Akka Mahadevi. There are also sculptures of 270 Sharanas who worked to build an equal society, free from caste and class divisions. In one scene, Allama Prabhu asks Akka Mahadevi her husband’s name, and she calmly replies, “My husband is Lord Channamallikarjuna,” while others listen in admiration.

The museum also features photographs, canvas paintings and visuals from Amar Chitra Katha comics.

The idea for the museum came from Basavaraj Anagawadi of Gundanapalle, who turned his thesis on Basavanna’s paintings into a real-life project. In 2005, he started building the museum on a piece of land provided by the Kudalasangama Development Board in 2011. He invested Rs 6 crore, with the state government contributing Rs 2.5 crore. Then, the museum featured only 49 embossed sculptures.

The museum now houses over 100 embossed sculptures, 125 cement statues, and 100 canvas paintings. A new art series on Akka Mahadevi is also in progress. 

Anagawadi, who says that his mission is to make Sharanas’ life and vachanas accessible to people, has worked hard for this purpose. Vachanas are displayed in Kannada and English under each artwork. Visitors can also scan QR codes to listen to them and understand their meanings.

The museum is open every day from 6 am to 8 pm. The entry fee is Rs 30 for adults and Rs 25 for children.

(Translated from Kannada by Jyotsna P Dharwad)