Latest news with #Vachanas
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
AICTE urges technical institutions to promote, research Basavanna's teachings
BENGALURU/ DELHI: In an endorsement of 12th-century social reformer Basaveshwara's relevance in today's world, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has issued a directive to vice-chancellors of technical universities, deemed universities, and AICTE-approved institutions to actively promote and research the philosophy, governance models, and social reform agenda of the saint and revolutionary thinker. In a communication from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, the AICTE urged the academic world to highlight Basaveshwara's teachings for modern India. At a time when India is seeking new models of inclusive development, social justice and decentralized governance, poet-saint Basaveshwara's radical ideas are being revived and researched by the country's top educational bodies. The AICTE letter calls for workshops, seminars and research projects on Basaveshwara's philosophy, exploration of his 'Lok Sansad' concept of participative local governance, studies on his fight for social equity, gender equality, and eradication of caste-based discrimination and superstitions, and 'Vachanas', which are poetic verses filled with wisdom and rebellion. They spoke out against injustice, patriarchy, blind rituals, and social inequality. Basava himself stood for meritocracy, dignity of labour, rationality, and an egalitarian society. The Indian government now wants engineering students, faculty and research scholars to draw inspiration from this reformer to craft cutting-edge research on governance and social transformation. As India deals with growing social divides and challenges in governance, it is turning to its roots for solutions, and the message is clear: Basaveshwara is not just history, but he has his place in the future.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Halakatti played big role in conserving Vachana literature: MLC
Mysuru: JD(S) MLC CN Manjegowda on Wednesday praised the contributions of FG Halakatti for the conservation, preservation, and promotion of Vachana literature, which has transformed the lives of millions of people across the country. He spoke after inaugurating Vachana Literature Conservation Day, organised in memory of Halakatti at a function jointly organised by the district administration and the department of Kannada and culture, held at Kirurangamandir here. He also highlighted the contributions of Halakatti, who was an advocate by profession in the North Karnataka region. Halakatti not only collected the Vachanas but also printed and published them, providing wide publicity to spread Vachanas among the masses. People knew only about 50 vachanakaras, but Halakatti, through sheer hard work, determination, and dedication, collected the vachanas written by more than 250 vachanakaras, Sharanas of the 12th century. He also helped in their (vachana) conservation and preservation. Halakatti played a key role in translating various Vachanas into English language. He advised students to imbibe the qualities of Halakatti and strive for the promotion of Vachana literature. Additional deputy commissioner P Shivaraju also remembered the contributions of Halakatti for the promotion of Vachana literature outside the state and his sacrifice for its promotion. JSS Mahavidyapeetha Publications wing director Morabada Mallikarjuna also recalled Halakatti's contributions in organising Vachana recitals in public music events and translating Vachanas into English. He was also instrumental in translating them into several other Indian languages. Joint director of Kannada and culture VM Mallikarjunaswamy and assistant director MD Sudarshan were present.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Youth told to follow the Buddha, Basava, Ambedkar
Minister for Minor Irrigation N.S. Boseraju has praised the Buddha, Basava and Ambedkar and called them social reformers and great philosophers. He appealed to the young generation to follow them and adopt their principles in their life. He was addressing the Buddha, Basava and Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations programme organised at Basaveshwar Convention Hall in the University of Agricultural Sciences in Raichur on Tuesday. 'These three great philosophers of India taught us peace and gave us other principles. The Buddha spread the message of peace. Basaveshwar tried to bring changes in society through his Vachanas and Ambedkar brought equality among all through the Constitution. If we go on the path that they have shown, we can see many changes and establish peace and brotherhood in society,' Mr. Boseraju said. MLA Basanagouda Daddal said that these three great people uplifted deprived communities by showing them the path of equality and fighting against discrimination and superstitions that existed in society. Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swamiji of Sanehalli appealed to all to join hands together to eradicate evils in society by following the Buddha, Basava and Ambedkar. MLA V. Vasanthkumar also spoke. APMC chairman Mallikarjungouda, vice-chancellor of UAS M. Hanumanthappa, registrar K. R. Durugesh, dean Gururaj Sunkad, members of the UAS administrative committee, office-bearers of the employees association of SCs and STs communities, chiefs of various departments, students and others were present.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
‘Basavanna's Vachanas relevant as we're still experiencing 12th Century social evils'
Lokayukta B.S. Patil released 'My Me Is Thee' , a book on Basavanna's Vachanas translated into English by police officer Basavaraj Yeligar, in Bengaluru on Monday. Mr. Patil said that Basavanna sacrificed everything to reform society that had several evil practices and discrimination based on gender, class and caste. 'All his life, he worked hard to create a new social order,' he said. However, 'we are still experiencing some of the social conditions that were prevalent in the 12th century. Basavanna and his ideologies are still relevant.' He was speaking at an event organised in the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan there. Mr. Yeligar, who is a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Vijayapura, said his parents introduced him to Vachanas in his childhood and that he was drawn to the underlying philosophy as he grew older. 'As a student of literature, I realised that some translations existed. But I felt the need for another translation,' he said. He said that he planned to translate Vachanas of Akkamahadevi, Allama Prabhu and Chennabasavanna in the coming days. Film-maker T.S. Nagabharana praised the collective efforts of the Sharanas and said that Basavanna succeeded in organising saints and reformers from various social backgrounds. Translations will help spread Basavanna's thoughts around the world, he added. Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha president Shankar Bidri said that the Australia Basava Samiti is engaged in arranging English-translated Vachanas. Kannada Sahitya Parishad secretary Padmini Nagaraj, thinker Jambunath Malimath, Florida VV Theology Department professor Ben Gill and others spoke. Orator Mahantesh Biradar, Sharanu Sabarad, Commissioner Agriculture Y.S. Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sanjiv Patil and others were present, said a release.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM urges all communities to embrace Basavanna
Mysuru: Lord Basavanna does not belong to one caste, and all communities should embrace Basavanna as he did not fight for one community but for the entire society, said chief minister Siddaramaiah . Speaking at the Basava Jayanthi celebration organised jointly by Basava Balaga Okkuta and Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha in Mysuru, the CM announced that the Anubhava Mantapa, initiated by govt with a cost exceeding Rs 600 crore, will be completed and inaugurated next year. He described the 12th-century social reformer as not only a cultural leader but also a world economist for transforming the lives of millions of people by advocating his Kayaka (work) philosophy of life, as well as the practice of equality, and his social revolution of ending discrimination of people on caste and religious lines. He also highlighted the importance of mass feeding and opposed the categorisation of people based on work and profession in those days. "Basavanna always advocated that all work and professions carry equal weight and importance in building a discrimination-free, equal society," he said. "Basavanna and his contemporaries, like the Sharanas, were all responsible for the social revolution during the 12th century; that kind of social revolution was not witnessed in the world during that period. These social reformers strived to build a casteless, discrimination-free, equal society," the CM said. "By forming Anubhava Mantap, like a religious parliament, Basavanna also encouraged free speech, freedom of expression, and debates to end discrimination in society," he added. The CM also hailed the contributions of Vachanas and Sharanas literature for the promotion and growth of Kannada literature. "These Vachanakaras were also successful in their efforts to spread awareness among people, especially the working-class, by writing their Vachanas in simple language easily understood by those who were deprived of education in those days," he said. The CM also recalled the importance of education, his school days, and his primary schoolteacher Rajappa, who directly provided admission to him to study from Class 5 when his parents were uneducated. He also highlighted the contribution of BR Ambedkar in promoting education and the Indian Constitution, ensuring equal rights and opportunities, and safeguarding the importance of all citizens of the nation. The CM also promised to release necessary grants for the completion of the construction of Basava Bhavan in Mysuru city.
