‘Vachanakaras strove for social equality’

Seminar held on Dalit Vachanakaras

Kannada and Culture Department held a seminar on Dalit Vachanakaras at T. Chennaiah Rangamandira here on Wednesday.

Inaugurating the programme, Deputy Commissioner K.V. Thrilokchandra said that the Vachana literature was not confined to any caste.

People from all communities, including the socially downtrodden sections displayed the talent of writing vachanas, he said.

The State Government is holding Dalit Vachanakaras Jayantyotsava in all the districts for the first time, he informed.

Madara Cehnnaiah, Samagara Haralaiah, Dohara Kakkaiah, Uriling Peddi and Madara Dhoolaiah are some prominent Dalit Vachanakaras contemporary of great social reformer and Vachanakara Basavanna, Mr. Thrilokchandra said. The writers have contributed immensely to the fight against caste system through their works, he added.

They also upheld the importance of labour and strove for equality of all people, he said.

Kannada and Culture Department Assistant Director B.S. Venkatachalapathi, Lecturer G. Shivappa spoke.

‘Janamanadata’, a troupe from Heggodu presented the play ‘Satyashodhaka’ which shed light on the life of the 18th century social reformers Jyothiba Phule and Savithribai Phule.