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Book Review
KANNADA
Anthology of Vachanas
V. GOPALAKRISHNA
YELLA PURATANARA VACHANAGALU — Vol. I: Edited by Veeranna Rajur; Rs. 500; Vol. II: Edited by B.V. Sirur; Rs. 300; Vol. III: Edited by Madhu Venka Reddy; Rs. 200. Published by J.S.S. Granthamale, Mysore-570004.
VACHANAS, AN exclusive genre of Kannada literature, brought a distinct place for Kannada in world literature. Termed as the Upanishads of Veerasaivism, the Vachanas are the inspired utterances of saints, mystics and philosophers of Veerasaiva movement. Among the scholars involved in the systematic editing of Vachanas in the modern period, P.G. Halakatti is the foremost. He has collected nearly 1000 multiple copies of manuscripts and brought out four volumes. The role of Karnataka University in this regard is also significant. The publication of Vachana literature in the above three volumes is the latest achievement. Based mainly on 17 manuscripts in Karnataka University, nearly 6,000 Vachanas divided into three parts find place in them. Besides including newly found Vachanas, the editors have made emendations. The confirmation of the authorship of some Vachanas, inclusion of those left out earlier and the most reliable version of the text are made in the present edition.
The Vachanas are categorised on the basis of their ankitas (signets) which are mostly named after favourite deities. An alphabetical list of Vachanas along with their authors is also appended. In view of the magnitude of the contents and the users, the methodology adopted by the editors is praiseworthy; a neatly edited and printed publication.
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