Let Kanaka Dasa’s Concept of devotion make us Better Human beings – Ramanath Rai
Mangaluru: The district administration in association with Zilla Panchayat, Karavali Kurubara Sangha and Kannada and cultural department celebrated 529th Kanaka Dasa Jayanti, at Town Hall here on November 17.
The programme began with the state anthem. The president of Karavali Kurubara Sangha Dr K E Prakash welcomed the gathering. The programme was inaugurated by the district minister in-charge B Ramanath Rai by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries. Later a tribute was paid by showering flower petals on the portrait of Kanaka Dasa.
Addressing the gathering Ramanath Rai said, “Today we are celebrating the 529th Kanaka Dasa Jayanti. It is a festival celebrated by the people of Karnataka in general and the Kuruba Gowda community in particular. Kanaka Dasa was a great poet and a reformer. When Kanaka Dasa came to Udupi on the advise of Vyasaraja Swamiji. He was denied entry into the temple because he belonged to the lower class. As a result, he started calling Lord Krishna through his song and expressed his pain. Lord Krishna, impressed and touched by his faith and devotion turned around from his place, the temple wall broke open and the Lord gave his darshan to Kanaka Dasa through the orifice. On the occasion of the 529th birth anniversary of this great poet, we the people of Dakshina Kannada pay a rich tribute to him with the utmost respect. May the concept of devotion, dedication and oneness among the human race preached by him help us to be better human beings”.
Rai further said, “In our life, we need to speak the truth, we should not suppress the truth even if it sometimes hurts others. In olden days, not only the Kuruba community but the Billava community was also deprived of visiting the temples and were not allowed to go near some of the wells for water. But today along with social changes, we have our Chief minister from the Kuruba community. We need to join hands together to make this country accommodating to people of all caste. We all are one and should live in peace and brotherhood”.
“Some political leaders talk about secularism but they give priority to religion. Today when we remember Kanaka Dasa who had worked for the welfare of the backward community, we should also remember those who worked for the development of the country. Chief minister Siddaramaiah has the vision to make this state hunger free, let us all join hands with the CM to make his vision into a reality”, said Rai.
MLA J R Lobo delivered the presidential address. MLA Moideen Bava, DC Dr Jagadeesha, Mayor Harinath, SP Bhushan Borase, DCP Law and Order Shantharaju, ZP president Meenakshi Shanthigod, MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazir, Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, Information officer Khader Shah, Director of Karavali Kurubara Sangha Prasanna Kumar and others were also present.
