Renowned Kannada literature personality Professor Chandrashekhar Patil (Champa) was felicitated with 2018's prestigious Basavashree award given by the Basava Kendra of Murugha Mutt on Tuesday. Addressing the public after giving away the award Pontiff of the mutt Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharana said that, Prof Champa has worked for enrichening the Kannada language during his lifetime and has worked as a representative of language development during his tenure as president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat and chairman of Kannada Development Authority.
No one can question his integrity towards the language. Prof Champa has been the voice of voiceless and worked for the creation of an equal society by effectively implementing the preachings of the 12-century reformer Basaveshwara, hence a team formed by the mutt selected his name for this years 'Basava Shree', award. Prior to this present head of erstwhile Mysore Royal family, Yaduveera Krishna Dutta Chamaraja Wodeyar was also honoured by the mutt.
Prof Chandrashekhar Patil who received the award said that Basavanna is known for his revolutionary thoughts and those thoughts have no death as they are evident at every point of life. Sharing his association with the Murugha Mutt, he said that, Murugha Sharana got the opportunity to get him called as Jagadguru, however, he settled for Sharana word which shows his simplicity. He also said that he is blessed to get Basava Shree award and further advocated that the Basava Dharma is a separate religion.
Taking a dig at politicians for politicising the issue of a separate religion, he said that, their acts are disillusioning the public, however, the fight should be continued by the pontiff's belonging to the community and ensure that Basava Dharma gets separate religion tag at the earliest. He also suggested Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharana take the lead in getting separate religion tag. Head of Erstwhile Mysore Royal Family Yaduveer Krishna Dutta Chamaraja Wodeyar said that Basava philosophy not only advocated the Ahimsa but also the work culture among the society, hence Basavanna is a universal personality.
He also recollected the association of the Mysore Royal Family with the Murugha Mutt since ages and said that it would continue forever. Mathe Gangadevi of Basavadharma Peeta Kudalasangama, Reverand T D Thomas, Junaid Sufi, Venkatesh Laad, Jayanna, Retired High court judge Justice Billappa, Swamy's of various mutt's and people from various walks of life took part in the programme.
