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117th Birthday Celebrations of K.G.Kundanagara

    Dharwad (Karnataka), August 14, 2012: 117th birth day celebrations of the renowned Jaina & Veerashaiva scholar K.G.Kundanagara was celebrated at Dharwad in the premises of Fine Arts Gallery, Dharwad. The event was jointly organised by Bangarada Balaga & K.G.Kundanagara Abhimanigala Sangha, Dharwad.

    Dr.H.A.Parshwanath, professor of pathology, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Medical College, Dharwad was the main speaker. He spoke on the life, achievement & contribution of Sri Kundanagara to Jain & Kannada literature. Siddappa Kalleda – a great follower & admirer of K.G.Kundanagara spoke about the life & achievements of Kundanagara.

    The idol of Sri Kundanagara near the Life Insurance Office (LIC), Dharwad was garlanded on the occasion. Bangarada Balaga, the organisation established in 1983 has been celebrating the birthday of Sri Kundanagara since inception.

    About Kundanagara – Sri Kallappa Gurappa Kundanagara (K.G.Kundanagara) was born on August 14, 1895 at Koujalagi village of Gokak taluk in Belgaum district of Karnataka state. Born in a very poor family reached great heights in the field of Kannada literature through his hard work. He was editor of the Jaina magazine ‘Jina Vijaya’.

    Further his work on Pampa Ramayana & Adikavi Pampa’s works deserves special mention. He has undertaken extensive research on the noted Jaina poets Nagachandra, Janna, Nemichandra, Ratnakaravarni and has published many research articles.He had analysed the origin of the word ‘Gommata’ and had worked on many Jain classics.

    He was a very close associate of Dr.A.N.Upadhye and was a versatile scholar in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali, Kannada & Marathi. He was considered as a bridge between Veerashaivism & Jainism owing to his erudite knowledge on these religions. He has done extensive research on the comparative study of both the religions. He had worked at Gokak, Belgaum, Kolhapur & Dharwad (Karnataka College, Dharwad). He spent most of his time at Kolhapur and founded the Karnataka sangha at Kolhapur and worked towards enriching Kannada literature. He was looked up by many scholars of his times and had guided 4 candidates in their PhD research thesis.

    As a mark of respect to his achievements in Kannada literature he was choosen as the chairman of the 43rd Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Gadag on December 27, 28 & 29, 1961. Presiding over the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana is considered to be one of the highest honours for a writer in Kannada language. – Jain Heritage Centres News Service

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