Vachanas Continue to Inspire Generations Even Today – Sri Shantamallikarjuna Swamiji

Madikeri, Nov 8: The *Vachanas* (literary compositions) gifted to the land by Basavanna and his contemporary *Sharanas* (devotees) in the 12th century remain relevant even today. Sri Shantamallikarjuna Swamiji, the pontiff of the Sri Arameri Kalancheri Matha, stated that the *Sharanas* deserve credit for bringing literature and philosophical thought from Sanskrit—often regarded as the 'language of the gods' (*Deva Bhasha*)—into the Kannada language. Furthermore, he noted that the *Sharana* literature (or *Vachana* literature) is credited with elevating the common, spoken language to the status of a sacred, divine language.

He spoke while inaugurating a seminar, musical performance, and lecture series focused on *Dasa* literature and *Vachana* literature. The event was organized by the Kannada Sahitya Parishat in collaboration with the S.M.S. School of the Arameri Kalancheri Matha, under the auspices of the endowment programs established in the names of Dr. M.G. Nagaraj and his wife Sulochana, as well as the late Maganuru Basappa—a philanthropist and thinker known as 'Aroda Dasohi' and 'Dharma Chintamani'.

Speaking on the context of the event, M.P. Keshava Kamath, President of the Kodagu District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, remarked that had it not been for *Vachana* and *Dasa* literature, it would have been impossible for the common people to access literature or grasp its essence. He emphasized that the credit for making literature—previously confined to Sanskrit—accessible to the general public belongs to the *Vachanakaras* (authors of the *Vachanas*). Speaking on the seminar, T.P. Ramesh, former president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, remarked that the Kannada Sahitya Parishat has consistently organized diverse programs.

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