Rich tributes were paid to Hemaraddi Mallamma, a pious woman, on her birth anniversary, which was being organised for the first time here following a decision taken by the State government, on Wednesday.
A colourful procession with the portrait of Hemaraddi Mallamma was taken out in the main streets of the two cities, which were led by various cultural troupes.
V.N. Girimallappa, chairman, Karnataka Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, who inaugurated the function in Ballari, exhorted women to follow the ideals and principles of Mallamma to lead a happy family life.
N. Basavaraj, lecturer in Municipal Junior College, Ballari, delivered a special lecture on the life and works of Mallamma.
S.J.V. Mahipal, N. Pratap Reddy, G. Somashekar Reddy, former MLA, Gadiganur Halappa, vice-chairman, Karnataka Agriculture Produce Processing and Exports Corporation, spoke.
Nadoja Subhadramma Mansur, stage artiste and vocalist, who has donned the role of Mallamma in dramas, rendered songs composed by Mallamma. She was also felicitated on the occasion. In Koppal, Maitreyini Gadigeppagoudar, lecturer in Rani Chennamma University, Belagavi, delivered a special lecture on Mallamma.
Shekarappa Nagaralli, Zilla Panchayat president, inaugurated the programme. K. Raghavendra Hitnal, MLA, presided over it.
