By The Hindu Bureau
“It is because of the dedicated efforts and selfless service of Fa.Gu. Halakatti that thousands of vachanas of 12th century reformer Basavanna and his contemporary vachanakaras are now available to us,” chairman of Karnataka Bal Vikas Academy Sangamesh Babaleshwar has said.
He was inaugurating the birth anniversary celebrations of Halakatti, better known as ‘father of Vachana literature’, in Dharwad on Wednesday. The programme was organised by the district administration in association with the Department of Kannada and Culture.
“Vachana literature is considered great with a spiritual message and it is because of Halakatti we got this treasure. Halakatti tirelessly travelled villages, hamlets, and managed to collect thousands of vachanas written on palm leaves. He subsequently compiled them and despite financial constraints set up his own printing press to publish the compilation,” he said.
Mr. Sangamesh said that it would be no exaggeration to say that if not for Halakatti’s service, the treasure of vachana literature would have been lost. “That is the reason why Halakatti is called the father of vachana literature and his birth anniversary is being celebrated as vachana literature conservation day,” he said.
He also emphasised the need for teaching children about the life and contribution of such personalities and suggested holding birth anniversary celebrations of various vachanakaras in schools and colleges.
Mayor of Hubballi Jyoti Patil too emphasised the need for teaching children about vachana literature, which advocated the need for treating everyone equally.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Geeta C.D. said that the the vachanas of the sharanas comprised ethical and moral values.
Writer Siddanna Langoti delivered a lecture on Halakatti’s life and contribution. Chairman of Dr. M.M. Kalburgi National Memorial Trust Viranna Rajur and others were present.