Date:16/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/16/stories/2008111652620300.htm

Karnataka

Kanakadasa remembered in his birthplace

Staff Correspondent

Thousands gather at Bada village to participate in function

Bommai and Udasi promise to take up issue of renaming Bada village as ‘Kanakana Bada’
‘Kanaka Bhavan will be built. It will house a digital library’

Musical: A procession being taken out as part of Kanakadasa Jayanti celebrations on Saturday at Bada village in Shiggaon taluk of Haveri district.

Haveri: Kanaka Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Kanakadasa, an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, was celebrated in Bada village in Shiggaon taluk of Haveri district with great fervour and gaiety.

Thousands of people converged at Bada village, the birthplace of Kanakadasa. A procession was taken out from Bankapur village and the people who participated walked for about 4km to reach Bada village where elaborate arrangements had been made by the State Government to celebrate Kanaka Jayanti.

At Bachchamma Vedike, the function was inaugurated by District-in-charge and Minister for Public Works C.M. Udasi.

Dr G.M. Hegde delivered a lecture on Kanakadasa and vice-chancellor of Kannada University at Hampi Dr. A. Murigeppa spoke on the significance of Kanaka Jayanti. MLA Nehru Olekar, MLC Shivaraj Sajjanar spoke on the occasion.

Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai presided over the function. He underscored the need to initiate a comparative study of the teachings of Bhakta Kanakadasa and Kabirdas.

Mr. Bommai elaborated on the various initiatives being taken by the State Government for the development of Bada and Kaginele, including the proposal to build a “Kanaka Bhavana” to house a digital library.

Mr. Bommai and Mr. Udasi assured that they would take up the issue of renaming the village as “Kanakana Bada” following a demand by the villagers.

Deputy Commissioner P.S. Vastrad, Chairman of the Kaginele Development Authority K. Revanappa and others were present.

After the public function, several cultural and folk troupes from different parts of the State enthralled the crowd with their lively performances, which went on till late in the night.