Mangalore, October 19: In memory of Sant Bhadragiri Achutha Das, two-day programme at T V Raman Pai Convention Centre at Mangalore was inaugurated by Dharmadhikari of Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatha Shrine Dr D Veerendra Heggade organised by vishwa Konkani Kendra on Saturday October 18th.
The guest was florally welcomed by president of Vishwa Konkani Kendra in Mangalore, Basti Vaman Shenoy.
Roy Castelino president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Dr P Dayananda Pai, chairman of Vishwa Konkani Kendra, and Dr Prabhakar Joshi, well-known Yakshagana scholar, along with other dignitaries inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp and offering homage to the portrait of Sant Bhadragiri Achutha Das.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Heggade said, “He travelled throughout his life spreading the message of love and the secrets of life. When I was invited to this programme, I humbly accepted as I have great respect for him. He travelled and preached Harikatha during a time when there were no means of communication. He had great memory power and never spoke harsh words in all his life. He was a man of humour. The best way to remember him is by buying his music album collections and making him immortal.”
Castelino said, “I congratulate Vishwa Konkani Kendra for this meaningful programme organised in memory of Sant Bhadragiri Achutha Das, and this gives spirit to our lives. Konkani people are hard-working people, found all around the world. Konkani is the only language accepted by three religions as mother tongue. There are many books written and displayed outside of the hall, but how many have read these books? We need to develop pasion for our mother tongue and pass it to the next generation.”
Felicitation and honour was given to Bhadragiri Sarvothama Dasgi for his contribution to the field of Harikatha.
The programme was compeered by Shakuntala R Kini.
In this ceremony, treasurer of Vishwa Konkani Kendra Jagadish Shenoy, Pradeep G Pai, secretary of Vishwa Konkani Student Scholarship Fund, Venkatesh N Baliga, secretary of Vishwa Konkani Kendra, and Jayarama Pai, trustee at Venkatramana Temple, Mangalore, were present.
