Minister Priyank Kharge at a review meeting in Bengaluru. Image: Minister’s media group
Bengaluru: The state government has decided to build a modern Vachana Mantapa near Kapanur village close to Kalaburagi city, reflecting the vachana tradition of the Sharanas, the social revolution and the cultural richness of Kannada. Minister Priyank Kharge, who is also the district in-charge minister and holds the Home, Information Technology and Biotechnology and e-Governance portfolios, discussed the design, construction plan and facilities with officials and told them to shape the project meaningfully.
At a meeting in his Bengaluru office, the Minister reviewed design and concept reports submitted by several well-known architects for the Vachana Mantapa.
The project is intended to come up on 6 acres 6 guntas at Survey No. 44/1 in Kapanur village, Kalaburagi taluk. Along with the Vachana Mantapa, the plan envisages a museum introducing the lives of the Sharanas, vachana literature and the history of the vachana movement, an interpretation centre, an experience centre and research centres.
The lives, achievements, portraits and precious vachanas of all the Sharanas, men and women, who took part in the vachana revolution, including Karnataka’s cultural leader Basavanna, will be presented here. The Mantapa will be designed to carry the message of vachana literature on equality, kayaka (work), dasoha (service) and social justice to present and future generations.
An open auditorium is also planned for discussions, dialogues, lectures, seminars and cultural programmes. It will also serve as a centre providing information and facilities to researchers, students and others interested in studying vachana literature.
Emphasis on historic sites in Kalaburagi district
The Minister said the government is giving special priority to protecting and developing tourism, historic heritage and culturally significant sites for the overall development of Kalaburagi district.
The meeting discussed conservation work at the Suryanarayana temple in Kalagi taluk, development of the historic Malkhed Fort in Sedam taluk, and conservation and development of the archaeological remains in the Nagavi heritage area in Chittapur taluk.
The Minister also directed officials to take the necessary steps to conserve and develop the historic Buddhist site and archaeological remains at Kanaganahalli in Chittapur taluk.
The government’s aim is to preserve and nurture the district’s historic and cultural heritage and make these sites attractive to tourists, students and researchers. The Minister expressed the hope that this would boost tourism activity in the district and help the local economy.
Besides senior officials of various departments, Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Ikram Sharif and district officials took part in the meeting through video conference.
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