Over 1,300 people present Savirada Vachana as part of Basava Jayanthi programme

Savirada Vachana, the presentation of Basavanna’s vachanas by over 1,300 people, received a good response in Shivamogga on Friday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Shivamogga

Savirada Vachana, the presentation of Basavanna’s vachanas by more than 1,300 people, received an impressive response in Shivamogga on Friday evening.

People from different walks of life presented 38 Vachanas of Basavanna, the social reformer of the 12th century, as part of the Basava Jayanti programme at Allama Prabhu Park in the city, under the guidance of 13 music teachers and singers.

The programme was organised by the Basava Jayanthi celebrations committee under the guidance of Mallikarjun Murugharajendra Swamy of Bekkina Kalmatha and Basava Marulasidda Swamy of Basava Kendra in Shivamogga.

A team of expert singers, including Nagaraj Guruguha, Janardhana (Janni), K. Yuvaraj, Mallige Sudhir, and Humayun Harlapur, took the lead and conducted several training sessions for people who voluntarily registered to take part in the programme. Initially, the organisers wanted to involve 1,000 singers. But many more volunteered to take part. Finally, more than 1,300 people, including students, senior citizens, private sector employees, teachers, and homemakers, presented vachanas in the tune composed by noted singer and music director C. Ashwath.

The organisers had made a special stage to accommodate the singers. Before the presentation of each song, Basava Marulasidda Swamy briefed the audience about the importance of the vachana.

Mallikarjun Murugharajendra Swamy, speaking on the occasion, expressed happiness about the concept and organisation of the programme through which the message of vachanas reached the larger masses, he added.

Dhananjay Sarji, MLC and treasurer of the organising committee, said that the programme was a record of sorts. Nowhere else have so many people assembled to present Basavanna’s vachanas. He thanked the people of Shivamogga for gathering in huge numbers to witness the programme.

Avinash Kavi of Belagavi gave a special lecture on the vachanas. Former MLC S. Rudre Gowda, Shivamogga Lok Sabha member B.Y. Raghavendra, legislators S.N. Channabasappa, D.S. Arun, and others participated.