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

• Image Credit: Internet

• Nov 11, 2022 | Sourav Boruah

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.