The Hindu : Karnataka / Mysore News : `Basaveshwara's ideals still relevant'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 12, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Mysore

`Basaveshwara's ideals still relevant'

Staff Correspondent

A statue of the social reformer to be installed at Ugdi in Maharashtra by next year `Basaveshwara's ideal of Kaayakeve Kailasa and Tukaram's Kam ahe Rama have assisted in the progress of the country'

Preserving tradition: Folk artistes performing Veeragaase during the procession as part of the Basava Jayanti celebrations in Mysore on Wednesday. — Photo: M.A. Sriram

MYSORE: The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Vilas Rao Deshmukh, said on Wednesday that the teachings of Basaveshwara have contemporary relevance.

Speaking after inaugurating Basava Jayanti celebrations here organised by the district administration, the Department of Kannada and Culture and the Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha, he said: "Basaveshwara's ideals and philosophy have special significance in today's world which is full of hatred ness and bias. Even in the modern Indian social reform movement, Basaveshwara's philosophy that focusses on harmony, equality and brotherhood holds a significant position."

Paying tributes to Basaveshwara, Mr. Deshmukh said Basaveshwara inspired vernacular language literature, fought against untouchability and improved the status of women in society.

He tried to bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots. All these have made contemporary social reformers speak the language of Basaveshwara, Mr. Deshmukh said.

Drawing comparisons with the saints and reformers of Maharashtra, he said most reformers have referred to the ideals of manual labour, dignity and work discipline.

"If Basaveshwara proposed the ideal of Kaayakeve Kailasa (work is worship), Tukaram said Kam ahe Rama (only work will have Rama). These works have assisted in the progress of the country," he added. Stating that Basaveshwara was the foremost among the saints, he said Mahatma Gandhi was also inspired by his ideals.

Mr. Deshmukh announced that a statue of Basaveshwara will be installed at Udgi in Maharashtra by next year. One such statue has been installed in Latur district, he added. The Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, said Basaveshwara's thoughts and philosophy did not belong to any group or region, but have universal application. Though attempts are being made to reform society, the cycle of changes have not been completed so far, Mr. Siddaramaiah said.

This is due to the obstruction by forces that like to maintain status quo, he added

The Minister for Tourism, D.T. Jayakumar; the Mayor, Dakshinamurthy; the Mysore Zilla Panchayat President, K.C. Balaram; the MLAs, M.K. Somashekar and Sunita Veerappa Gowda; the MLC, Manjunath; and the Deputy Commissioner, Kumar G. Naik; were present.

Earlier, a colourful procession in which a statue of Basaveshwara was taken out in the city. Performance by folk artistes marked the celebrations in the city. A large number of Veerashaivas participated in the procession. Veeragase Kunita, Karadi Kunita, Pooja Kunita, Kamsale, Dollu Kunita were performed.

The procession commenced from Suttur Mutt near Dr. Shivaratri Rajendra Circle and passed through Sayaji Rao Road, K.R. Circle, D. Devaraj Urs Road, JLB Road and culminated at Kalamandira where the main function was held. Members of various Veerashaiva organisations chanted bhajans and devotional songs during the procession.

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