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  • PM Narendra Modi honours Maharshi Valmiki and revered poet Kanaka Dasa on his jayanti in Bengaluru

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    PM Narendra Modi honours Maharshi Valmiki and revered poet Kanaka Dasa on his jayanti in Bengaluru




    Digital Desk: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Kanaka Dasa's, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented
    floral tributes to the statue of the saintly poet on Friday. PM Modi paid
    respects to Kanaka Dasa on the grounds of the Legislators Home, which is close
    to the Vidhana Soudha, after arriving in the city to participate in various
    activities. Additionally, he showed reverence to the nearby statue of Maharshi
    Valmiki, the writer of the epic Ramayana.



    Today is Kanaka Dasa's birth
    anniversary, and he is a well-known figure in the fields of
    "Kirtanas" and "Ugabhoga" (Carnatic music compositions in
    the Kannada language). He was born Thimmappa Nayaka in 1509 and later achieved
    fame as a poet, philosopher, and musician. His birthday is commemorated as
    "Kanaka Jayanti" across the state each year, and a local public
    holiday is recognized.



    In addition to Valmiki Prasannananda
    Swamiji and Niranjanananda Puri Swamiji of the Kaginele Kanaka Guru Peetha,
    other attendees included Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister
    Basavaraj Bommai, a number of his cabinet members, Union Minister Pralhad
    Joshi, and state Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri.



    In the state, especially among the
    Kuruba and Valmiki (ST) populations, Kanaka Dasa and Valmiki are held in high
    regard.



    As the Kuruba and Valmiki communities
    hold the key to victory in a number of constituencies throughout the state,
    some are seeing this occasion of the PM paying honour to both of these figures
    through a political lens in advance of the 2023 Assembly elections.