Lambeth Basaveshwara Statue — Attraction in London

Basavanna! A great human being, leader, visionary and pioneer of the just society who born in and lived in 12th century was great thing happened to the mankind of the then Kalyan Karnataka his values and principles are universal values of the humanities and contemporary forever.

Such a saint, common person born in Bagewadi of current Vijayapur District, Karantaka, India was threatened and pushed out of the town while he stood for the downtrodden, oppressed and out-casted people.

When people created the "sthavar Linga" then he gave the concept of "ishta-linga" when temples were inaccessible he said "your body is temple of God" (ದೇಹವೆ ದೆಗುಲ)! When people were preaching "Karma Philosophy" he taught us "Kayaka philosophy" and he just didn't preach he lived the life by working as prime minister in Bijjala kingdom. When people were believing the moral capatalism he guided us for socialism of equity and equality.

When I reached here and saw his statue my first thoughts were "wow statue of a Kannadiga of 12th century is built upon on world famous Thames river in Lambeth City" and I was feeling proud that I'm sharing legacy of being brought up in nearby village where he was born!

Democracy, many say it's lessor evil where I'll say it's at least a good of collective goodness! Yes Basavanna has gave the society to express themselves, in their own language in their own style, which is "Anubhav Mantapa" as then parliament (group discussion on life experiences of individuals in the society they belong to). Hence, we can hear them, listen them and read them, still those "Sharanas" are contemporary in terms of their modernity, non-conformist attitude, progressive nature and rationality and sometimes rebellious and upfront. As I believe in social dialogues to eliminate the divisiveness and hatredness, and Basavanna pioneers in this section. So I think we all shall live, share and propogate Basava philosophy throughout the world to inspire, motivate and empower the oppressed.

Happy republic day! #AnubhavaMantap #Worlds1stParliment

Sharanu...

Basava: Known as Basaveshwara to his people was a A Voice in the Air; 12th Century CE Karnataka, Indian Poet .. a religious Guru of revolutionary ideas. Wrote in Kannada - a Dravidian Language of the South India spoken by more than 70 million Indians today. British poets were inspired by him including Ted Hughes. He wrote: " Make my body the beam of a lute of my head the sounding gourd of my nerves the strings of fingers the plucking rods. Clutch Me close... ..... ....! This statue is a remarkable recognition of his work and ideas..

Raghu Shetty Surrey,...

Basavanna was a 12th-century philosopher, statesman, Kannada poet in the Shiva-focussed Bhakti movement, and social reformer during the reign of the Kalachuri-dynasty king Bijjala I in Karnataka, India (i was born in Karnataka). Basavanna spread social awareness through his poetry, popularly known as Vachanaas. To witness his statue in London that too at this lovely location was a real treat. The statue is very well kept and clean. the surrounding area is well maintained and is a good walking area. Thank you to Dr. Neeraj Patil and Anagha Patil for helping erect...