Chairman of the Legislative Council Veeranna Mathikatti on Sunday urged Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to develop Uduthadi in Shimoga district and Ulavi in Uttara Kannada district, associated with Akkamahadevi, one of the greatest vachanagartis of 12th Century, by starting an institution on the lines of the Koodalasangama Development Authority.
Inaugurating Basava Jayanti celebrations organised by Basava Vedike to felicitate Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murty and the former Kannada Sahitya Parishat president G.S. Siddalingaiah with Basavashri and Vachana Sahityashri awards respectively, he said that Akkamahadevi had through her vachanas fought for the uplift of women, nine centuries ago.
Mr. Mathikatti said that office-bearers of Kadali, an organisation demanding constitution of an authority for the purpose, wanted to present a memorandum to Mr. Yeddyurappa to develop places associated with the life of Akkamahadevi. But, since he did not turn up, they requested him to take it up with the Government. Replying to the felicitation, Ms. Murty said that she had learnt 2,000 vachanas of different authors when she was young and was trying to implement the ideals enshrined in them, especially those of Akkamahadevi in her life. Prof. Siddalingaiah said that 26,000 vachanas authored by over 600 vachanakaras, including 150 in 12th century, had been found.
