The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Government to institute Kanakadasa Award

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 16, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Government to institute Kanakadasa Award

Special Correspondent

The annual award will carry cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

UNIVERSAL APPEAL: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa (centre) at the Kanakadasa Jayanti celebrations in Bangalore on Saturday. Energy Minister K.S. Eshwarappa (left), Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and M. Mallikarjun Kharge and Transport Minister R. Ashok (right) are seen.

BANGALORE: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has announced that the Government will institute this year Kanakadasa Award for outstanding contribution on the life and literature of the 16th century saint-composer.

The Chief Minister, who inaugurated the Kanakadasa Jayanti celebrations in front of the Vidhana Soudha on Saturday, said the Government would give the award-winner Rs. 5 lakh.

The Government had declared a holiday on Saturday to mark the Kanakadasa Jayanti.

The State Government organised a grand function here to mark 521st birth anniversary of Kanakadasa (1508-1606). The Chief Minister, who paid floral tributes to the saint-composer, said the Government would constitute an expert committee to recommend measures to promote literature on Kanakadasa.

He said Rs. 3 crore would be released for publication of books, research on the life of Kanakadasa and distribution of cassettes of kirtanas and bhajans of the poet. Kanakadasa, along with Purandaradasa, had created a new wave in the Bhakti movement with his devotional compositions. Their kirtanas, bhajans, prayers, and festival songs, written in simple Kannada had universal appeal, Mr. Yeddyurappa said.

A great Bhakti poet, philosopher, musician and composer were some of the titles often associated with Kanakadasa, who was born in 1508 at Bada village in Haveri district. Kaginele Development Authority (KDA) had been constituted for the development of Kaginele where Kanakadasa worshipped Lord Adikesahava. He said Rs. 10 crore had been sanctioned for the authority to develop the place on the lines of Koodala Sangama. A research centre, a community hall, a library and administrative office would be built at Kaginele, he said.

Energy Minister K.S. Eswarappa said according to the lore, Lord Krishna was so moved by the devotion of Kanakadasa that he gave darshan to the composer at the Udupi temple through what was known as “Kanakana Kindi”.

The former Deputy Chief Minister and Congress MLA Siddramaiah said society should follow the principles preached by the saint-composer. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly M. Mallikarjun Kharge said society, which was divided on caste lines, needed the message and teachings of Kanakadasa.

Legislative Assembly Speaker Jagadish Shettar presided over the programme.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka