Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Nov 17: To commemorate the birth anniversary of saint composer Kanakadasa, Kanakadasa Jayanti was celebrated with devotional fervour here at Town Hall on November 17.

Several bhajan troupes, dollu kunita and folk troupes among others participated in a procession from Sharavu Temple to Townhall.

District in charge minister B Ramanath Rai along with other dignitaries paid tribute to the portrait.

Addressing the gathering Rai said, "Today we are celebrating the 529th Kanakadasa Jayanti throughout the state. People of Kuruba community in Dakshina Kannada are living in peace and harmony. They are leading a wonderful life here. They are our people. Thus we celebrate Kanaka Jayanti with great pomp and pleasure. We talk about social equality, but these backward communities have come to the mainstream after many years of independence. Today a person of this community has become the chief minister."

"After Siddarammaih became chief minister, he introduced programmes to make Karnataka hunger free and debt free. Thus, we all need to acknowledge his efforts in bringing social equality. Kanakadasa through his kirthanaes tried to make the society caste free. Today caste plays a major role in all sections of society whether it be politics, administration, judiciary, media or any other. There are some political parties which practice religious politics."

"Thus, we all have to fight for those underprivileged and strive to bring social equality to society. We must build a beautiful society which is caste free."

Mangaluru south MLA, J R Lobo presided over the function.

Deputy commissioner, K G Jagadeesh, SP, Bhushan Gulabrao Borase, DCP, Shantharaju, mayor, K Harinath and others were present.