‘Basava Jayanti Utsav’ gives a melodious touch to celebrations

"Ideologies of Basaveshwara and spirit of the ‘Sharana’ movement can be seen in modern law books like the Constitution of India".

Several cultural programmes were organised as part of Basava Jayanti celebrations in Bidar for three days starting from April 19.

The ‘Basava Jayanti Utsav’ committee invited senior classical musicians like Parameshwar Hegde, award winning singer Ravindra Soragave and Shashikala Gurav Kulahalli.

On the first day, award-winning music composer Ravindra Soragave sang ‘Vachanas’ from

Basaveshwara ,

Allama Prabhu ,

Madara Channayya and others. He also sang ‘Tatva Pada’, ‘Dasara Pada’, ‘Bhava geete’, ‘Papiya Dhana’, ‘Jambu Dweepa Nava Khanda’, ‘Eradalina Bhasheya’ and ‘Ane, Kudure, Bandi, Bhandara’ along with Ms. Veena.

Shivakumar Panchal and others presented Vachana Sangeet.

On the second day, Parameshwar Hegde, and Shashikala Gurav Kulahalli sang classical and light music. Narayan Heere played on the violin and Shantaling Desai accompanied him on the tabla. Students from the Natyashree and Nupur Bharata Natya Schools of dance performed on all three days. Nagaraj Jogi sang sangs on Basavanna set to modernistic tunes on Tuesday.

Basaveshwara’s ideology

“The spirit of Basaveshwara’s ideology is the guiding force behind all progressive legislation,” Sheeladevi Mallimath, Kannada writer, said during the on-going Basava Jayanti celebrations.

As much as Basaveshwara’s influence can be seen in welfare laws, the spirit of the ‘Sharana’ movement can be seen in modern law books like the Constitution of India, that strive to achieve caste, class and gender equality, protect the downtrodden and create equal opportunities for all, she said.

She gave examples to show how the Sharanas were the pioneers of women’s liberation.

Pandit Chidri, Karnataka state sheep and wool development corporation chairman, said that Basaveshwara motivated hundreds of ordinary men and women from the deprived classes to become free spirited thinkers and writers.

Deputy Commissioner P.C. Jaffer said that the ideals of the 12th century revolutionary were still relevant.