Media Release
Udupi, Feb 20: Department of History, under the leadership of Prof Emanuel Lilith Kumar and the management of the SMS College Brahmmavar, organized annual Dr Vasanth Shetty Memorial annual lecture on his 22nd death anniversary in the college auditorium on February 19.
The programme began with invocation and sought Almighty’s blessings.
Prof E Lalith Kumar, HOD, department of History, briefed the objectives, needs and process of such series of lectures every year and called upon the students to make best use of such programmes and enrich their knowledge.
Dr Akash Raj, a proud descendent and inherent of the royal Alupa family, which ruled Coastal Karnataka for more than 900 years, from Barkur throne, narrated the lineage of Alupa dynasty and referred the recently organized three days Alupotsava, at Barkur from January 26 to 28. It is a welcome move by the government to remember and preserve the glorious historical past.
Monuments are at Barkur and elsewhere to be preserved properly. A special care has to be taken to prevent commercialization of the event. He also offered families support and co-operation in this mission and encouraged students to study history in general and the Tuluva culture, in particular, in days to come.
Archibald Furtado, a native Barkurian, a known column writer, remembered the legacies of great and legendry. Dr P Gururaj Bhat, the founder principal of Milagres College, Kallianpur, and Dr Vasanth Shetty one of his proud student, followed in his guru’s footsteps, who continued his research work.
‘B V Shetty was the first modern historian, who has done extensive, systematic and scientific research, exclusively confining to Barkur and his doctoral thesis will remain a valuable document to understand the temple culture of the coastal Karnataka’. While expressing his concern for history being changed, he said, ‘there is a trend in these days, every Tom, Dick and Harry attempt to infer history as per his/her own way. Many of these people distorted the facts and in few cases legendary stories were thrust upon and effectively made to misunderstand and made them believe as historical events. It is not at all a healthy development’ Here the values and ideals of Shetty, stood for, needs a special mention, he said.
Dr Shantaram Samak, summarized the observations of both resource persons. Dr Akash and Furtado and lauded insightful talks and expressed his contentment in remembering a great learned man of our time and his contribution. He was shared the experiences at Barkur Vijaya Nagara fort during excavation work at about a decade back. Restoration and preserving of these historical relics and monuments is need of the hour, he concluded.
Raghavendra Samaga, a proud old student of SMS College, serving for LIC of India, as Branch Manager, Udupi, shared his nostalgic moments with Dr B V Shetty, then vice principal in 80’s, during the early inception years of the college. ‘A short life of just 47, but it’s worth of living, his human, kind and down to earth approach always a leading light in our path’ he expressed.
Lavina Lewis, another old student and representing the OSC management council, proud to state in her brief message, that Dr Vasanth Shetty though looked serious but was a man of kind nature, he earned a name of recognition to this college at University level and sacrificed his time and energy for this institution.
Prof Sripada, principal of the SMS College in his presidential address fondly remembered the guidance and dedication of a wonderful visionary in Dr Shetty.
Spending his personal funds he carried his research with passion and left behind a treasure of knowledge. Many of the contemporaries in the teaching faculty used to accompany him to Barkur every week ends as a part of research work and study of sculptures, statues and epigraphs.
He also thanked the department of History for their special initiatives of this seminar and called upon student’s fraternity to utilize the facilities provided in the College to enhance their studies further.
On this occasion, Dr Vasanth Shetty memorial scholarship/prizes were distributed to the deserving and outstanding students, for their exemplary achievements in the University Exams.
Well-known Archaeological historian from Shimogga, Dr Shantarama Samak, later arranged a power point explanations of the research work on devout ‘Bhakhta Kanakadasa’, excavations to un earth his birth place in Shiggavi Bada Village, a landmark achievement in the history of Karnataka Stat and glimpses at his Karmabhoomi in Kaginele.
While concluding, he expressed his happiness and satisfaction as Dr B V Shetty memorial lectures just not a formality but organizers made it to refresh, relive and revise his research and academic work in the larger interest of students and history lovers.
Prof Robert Rodrigues, department of History, extended a warm welcome to the guests and the gathering. Lecturer Damodhar proposed vote of thanks and Prashanth, department of History aptly compered the programme to its perfection.