A NATIONAL LEVEl SEMINAR
The Department of Sanskrit, Jain (Deemedto-be University) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), New Delhi,
The session began with an invocation delivered by students of JAIN (Deemed -to-be University). Aptly, Basaveshwara’s vachanas were presented. Professor Dr. Rajani Jairam, Department of Sanskrit, Dean (Student Welfare), JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), presented the inaugural address.
Dr. Basavaraj Kalgudi, wellknown Kannada scholar, delivered the keynote presentation. He began by providing the literal meaning of Vachana – ‘offering a word’ and Kudalasangama – to unite, an idea of oneness to develop harmony in the society and discussed Basavanna’s Vachana Sahitya, quoting lines from the vachanas to illustrate the social reformer’s perspectives. The political environment during Basavanna’s lifetime, his revolutionary thoughts, and the applicability of his ideas were discussed. A thoughtprovoking discussion on the purpose, meaning and relevance of Basavanna ensued.
Dr. Sreekala Nair, Director of the International School of Sree Sankara Studies and Joint Secretary of the Indian Philosophical Congress, presided over the first session of the conference. Dr. Nair, in her presidential speech emphasised the significance of the philosophical seminar. She discussed the meaning of the term philosophy, and expressed pride in the fact that India is known as the “country of philosophy”. She concluded her speech by quoting a number of philosophers, with, however, a greater focus on Basaveshwara’s philosophical tenets. In attendance for the inaugural session were Dr. Sudhir Singh Rajput of the University of Delhi and Dr. Asha Rajiv, Director, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University).
Dr. Geetha Madhusudan, Professor and Head of the Department of Sanskrit, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing her gratitude to the INSIDE CAMPUS 22 | AVENTURE | January, 2022 management, the ICPR and its members, the chief guest, and the organising team of student volunteers. The inaugural session was followed by the seminar with presentations by experts. Dr. Asha Devi, a Kannada scholar, discussed the literary significance of the Vachana Sahitya and the Women Vachanakaras. She mentioned that the vachanas continue to be relevant over time in the light of every generation’s spiritual and practical life experience. She emphasized that vachanas carry answers to complex social and political issues and is a one-of-a-kind addition to the literary world.
Dr. Sheela Devi Malimath, a prominent scholar of vachana sahitya, presented several vachanas and articulated the essence of vachana sahitya. She stated that during the century-long Bhakti M ove m e n t , t h e Vachana literature was prominent. There were three technical seminars scheduled for the day. During the inaugural session, Prof. Vasanth Kumar served as the session’s chairperson. Presenting their papers were: Dr. Vijaykumar, Smt. Rajeshwari, Dr. Hemalatha, and Dr. Venkobarao, who discussed Basavanna and Vishvakalyana in detail. Dr. Padmaja, Dr. Shivakumar, Dr. Nagendra, and Dr. Rajkumar shared their perspectives during the second technical session of the day. Dr. Shobha’s presentation was followed by Dr. Shivakumar who emphasised the importance of Basavanna as a representative of societal ideals and culture. Dr. B.V. Rajaram served as the moderator for the third session, while Dr. Manjunatha Palya, Dr. Hemanth and Dr. Sabu Thomas, shared their thoughts on Vachana sahitya. During his presentation, Dr. Sabu Thomas discussed political ideas that were related to Basavanna. The day concluded with the recitation of Basavanna’s vachanas. Dr. Sudhir Singh Rajput, University of Delhi, discussed the political climate in pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial contexts, and their impact on society. He drew analogies between Basaveshwara’s thought and the fundamental principles of democracy
Dr. Geetha Madhusudan, Professor and Head of the Department of Sanskrit, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing her gratitude to the management, the ICPR and its members, the chief guest, and the organising team of student volunteers.
The inaugural session was followed by the seminar with presentations by experts. Dr. Asha Devi, a Kannada scholar, discussed the literary significance of the Vachana Sahitya and the Women Vachanakaras. She mentioned that the vachanas continue to be relevant over time in the light of every generation’s spiritual and practical life experience. She emphasized that vachanas carry answers to complex social and political issues and is a one-of-a-kind addition to the literary world.
Dr. Sheela Devi Malimath, a prominent scholar of vachana sahitya, presented several vachanas and articulated the essence of vachana sahitya. She stated that during the century-long Bhakti Movement, the Vachana literature was prominent.
There were three technical seminars scheduled for the day. During the inaugural session, Prof. Vasanth Kumar served as the session’s chairperson. Presenting their papers were: Dr. Vijaykumar, Smt. Rajeshwari, Dr. Hemalatha, and Dr. Venkobarao, who discussed Basavanna and Vishvakalyana in detail. Dr. Padmaja, Dr. Shivakumar, Dr. Nagendra, and Dr. Rajkumar shared their perspectives during the second technical session of the day. Dr. Shobha’s presentation was followed by Dr. Shivakumar who emphasised the importance of Basavanna as a representative of societal ideals and culture.
Dr. B.V. Rajaram served as the moderator for the third session, while Dr. Manjunatha Palya, Dr. Hemanth and Dr. Sabu Thomas, shared their thoughts on Vachana sahitya. During his presentation, Dr. Sabu Thomas discussed political ideas that were related to Basavanna. The day concluded with the recitation of Basavanna’s vachanas.
Dr. Sudhir Singh Rajput, University of Delhi, discussed the political climate in pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial contexts, and their impact on society. He drew analogies between Basaveshwara’s thought and the fundamental principles of democracy.
In the first technical session of Day 2, Dr. Sheeladevi Malimath served as the meeting’s chairperson and Mr. Ramachandra N U, Dr. Roopa G, and Dr. Yashaswini presented research papers. In the context of global organisations attempting to shift away from ethnocentric cultural viewpoints, and toward common cultural perspectives. Basaveshwara’s Philosophy may make a significant contribution to the development of effective management methods. This was followed by Dr. Prabhashankar Premi’s insights into the cultural and economic dimensions of Basavanna’s ideology.
Dr. M.K. Sridhar, Registrar, S-Vyasa, served as the moderator for the second technical session, and discussed many Sanskrit writings connected to ayurveda, arthashastra, and other related subjects in contrast to Basavanna’s philosophy. Dr. Sreenivasaiah, Sri . Chetan, and Dr. Satish made presentations.
Dr. B.V. Rajaram, a famous director and distinguished theat re personality, addressed the audience during the following session (expert discussion). He spoke of the Anubhava mantapa and the ruler Bijjala, among other things and provided further details about the Basavanna-related dramas he had seen. According to Basavanna, who served as prime minister to King Bijjala, who reigned over Kalyana, a city of historical significance from 1157 to 1167, and was a renowned visionary, the combination of unique characteristics was stated by him as he expressed it to King Bijjala.
He alluded of having a mystic temperament, making an idealism decision, and becoming a politician by profession, among other things. Dr. Vatsala presided over the final technical session of the day, where Dr. Natesha L, Sri. Hoysaladitya, and Dr. Mekhala shared their perspectives on the subject. Dr. Natesha L spoke on the terminology of Basavas teachings as they relate to Sanskrit grammar in her presentation on the subject. During her presentation, Dr. Mekhala Venkatesh spoke about Anubhava Mantapa, the capacity of Shiva sharanes (women in the role of Shiva sharane), as well as their ability and courage.
After the technical sections were concluded, the panellists shared their thoughts on the subject in concluding remarks. As a result, the two-day programme, which included several expert speakers and diverse aspects of Basavanna, provided a variety of viewpoints on the subject and its modern significance.
A certificate of participation and a certificate of presentation were given out, respectively. The vote of thanks was offered by Dr. Natasha L., a faculty member in the Department of Sanskrit. JAIN (Deemed-to-be University). He expressed his gratitude to the management, the ICPR and its members, the chief guest, and the whole organising team, which included the student volunteers. Dr. Rajani Jairam concluded the event with Vachana gayana
VACHANAS RAISED AWARENESS-AMONG THE POPULACE ABOUT THE SIMPLICITY OF LIFE AND THE PORTANCE OF RELIGION AND LUENCED A LARGE NUMBER INDIVIDUALS TO EMBRACE DHARMA AND ABANDON MYTH