By Sharanu Pappa
The 146th birth anniversary of Fa.Gu. Halakatti, pioneering scholar of vachana literature, was observed as 鈥榁achana Preservation Day鈥 across Kalyana Karnataka on Wednesday. The celebrations honoured his legacy in preserving and publishing vachana literature, which played a vital role in shaping Karnataka鈥檚 spiritual and literary heritage.
In Kalaburagi, a district-level function was held at the Suvarna Saba Bhavan under the joint aegis of the district administration, the Kannada and Culture Department, the Kalaburagi city corporation, and the zilla panchayat.
The programme was inaugurated with floral tributes to Halakatti by Sharanu Pappa, president of the Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries, who hailed his work in reviving and preserving vachanas. He urged the present generation to draw inspiration from such visionaries, who worked selflessly to safeguard Karnataka鈥檚 cultural roots.
Delivering a special lecture, Basava Patil Jawali, principal of Madana Hipparaga Government First Grade College, emphasised how Halakatti鈥檚 life embodied a deep commitment to cultural preservation. He highlighted that the scholar gave up a conventional career to dedicate himself to searching, compiling, and publishing vachanas. His efforts illuminated the lives and teachings of over 250 vachanakaras, he said.
R.C. Phale, retired Dy. SP, recounted Halakatti鈥檚 educational journey from Dharwad to Bombay (now Mumbai), where he earned his law degree. Despite his legal background, Halakatti chose to live a simple life while dedicating himself to social upliftment.
Other speakers, including Ravindra Shahabadi of Veerashaiva Mahasabha and Shivasharanappa Danni, assistant director of Social Security and Pensions, praised Halakatti鈥檚 foresight and grassroots work. A cultural procession featuring traditional music and social thinkers was also held from Jagat Circle to the event venue.
In Koppal, Deputy Commissioner Suresh B. Itnal inaugurated the celebration at Sahitya Bhavan, describing Halakatti as a true torchbearer of vachana literary tradition. He noted that Halakatti鈥檚 role in collecting scattered vachanas helped preserve the essence of the 12th-century sharana movement, led by Basavanna and other reformers.
鈥淭he ideals enshrined in the Constitution were already expressed by Basavanna and other sharanas in the 12th century. Everyone should strive to embody their values,鈥 he said.
Historian Ashok Basappa Baragundi delivered a keynote address, calling Halakatti the 鈥済randfather of vachana literature鈥 and describing his journey from a lawyer to a cultural reformer.
At a special ceremony held at Fa. Gu. Halakatti Circle, dignitaries paid floral tributes and participated in a flag-hoisting ceremony in honour of the scholar.
In Ballari, K.E. Chidanandappa, president of the District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority, inaugurated the event at the Cultural Complex on Dr. Rajkumar Road. He highlighted how Halakatti鈥檚 work rescued the voices of the sharanas from historical obscurity.
Scholar A. Timmana Gowda, in his special lecture, said that Halakatti鈥檚 contributions went beyond literature鈥攅xtending into education, cooperative movements, and printing technology.
鈥淏efore Halakatti鈥檚 efforts, only 50 vachanakaras were known; his work revealed over 250,鈥 he said.
The Ballari event also featured a vachana music performance by Doddayya V. Kallur and team, and was attended by senior officials.