Vishwamanava Day: Kuvempu’s thoughts and values hailed as ‘guiding light’ for society

Poet laureate Kuvempu’s thoughts and values were hailed as the “guiding light” for society on his birth anniversary, celebrated as Vishwamanava Day, on December 29.

The district administrations of Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Kodagu, in association with the Department of Kannada and Culture, celebrated Vishwamanava Day at their respective district headquarters.

In Mysuru, C.N. Manje Gowda, MLC, described Kuvempu as a renowned Kannada poet, playwright, and outstanding writer who reformed society through his writings. Mr. Gowda added that Kuvempu’s personality continues to be an inspiration for everyone.

Recalling Kuvempu’s famous line describing the region as a “garden of peace for all communities”, Mr. Gowda said the poet taught society the importance of living in peace and harmony, and demonstrated how reading and writing could elevate human beings to higher moral and intellectual levels. His ideals continue to serve the society as a “guiding light”, he added.

Litterateur and Rajyothsava awardee C. Naganna noted that Kuvempu considered nature his first teacher. Kuvempu began composing poetry at a young age and laid down fundamental principles essential for peace and harmony in the country, he said.

While Dr. B.R. Ambedkar gave the country its Constitution, Kuvempu gave society a moral code through his literature, he noted.

In Mandya, Deputy Commissioner Kumar said the credit for taking Kannada literature to the global level went to Kuvempu, a scholar who upheld human values. He said the poet, through his vast body of work, left a distinctive imprint by striving to build a healthy society through meaningful writing.

Describing Kuvempu as a “powerful force” in the region during the Vishwamanava Day celebrations at Government Girls Pre-University College in Arkeshwarananagar, Mandya, Mr. Kumar said the poet propagated the idea that all of humanity belonged to one faith while calling upon people to rise above the shackles of caste and religion to become Vishvamanavas or “universal humans”.

Emphasising Kuvempu’s social concern, Mr. Kumar said human beings were born as universal humans, but gradually become narrow-minded owing to divisions of caste, religion and colour. He called upon society to break free from such constraints and walk the path envisioned by Kuvempu.

Mandya Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K.R. Nandini said Kuvempu sowed the idea in his writings that humanity has only one religion and that there is no hierarchy among people.

In Chamarajanagar, Mysore Sales International Ltd. chairman C. Puttarangashetty, who is also the MLA representing Chamarajanagar, said Kuvempu made immense contributions to the region, its language, culture and linguistic heritage by enriching Kannada literature.

Mr. Puttarangashetty said the message of Vishwamanava given by the renowned poet is a model for the entire world.

In Madikeri, former Zilla Panchayat president K.P. Chandrakala, who is also related to Kuvempu’s family, suggested that everyone should adopt Kuvempu’s ‘Mantra Mangalya’, which is the poet’s vision of a simple marriage system, as it can lead to a better way of life.