BENGALURU: Kuncha Torana is a pictorial record of Dr Sri Sri Sri Sivakumara Mahaswamiji’s life. It is an effort to honour a man considered a legend in Karnataka by J S Somasekhar.
Somasekhar, the editor of this book, has compiled paintings by 109 artists who were handpicked for their outstanding talent.
After getting permission from Sri Siddalinga Swamiji, President of the Sri Siddaganga Mutt, the artists were taken around the mutt to learn about Mahaswamiji’s life and they also shown the film ‘Siddagani Yathi Shree Kumara Swamy’ and a series of telefilms to gain a better understanding.
The book took a month to compile and was published in 2016.
“Dr Sri Sri Sivakumara Mahaswamiji is a Nadedaduva Devaru (Walking God),” says Somasekhar, “it is our duty to honour such a good man.” The holy man was conferred his doctorate in literature by the Karnataka University in 1965.
Mahaswamiji is currently 110 years old and is the senior pontiff of the Siddaganga Mutt. A passionate devotee of Lord Basava and believer of his ‘Kayaka Daasooha’ philosophy, Mahaswamiji began his journey by fighting caste discrimination. He began collecting funds to feed the poor and his talks drew many devotees to the mutt.
He is well-known for his contributions towards education, by setting up 128 institutions for students from LKG to pre-university.
He has also set up schools for the physically challenged and the visually impaired. What is most interesting is that, all the institutions, including engineering colleges, offer free lodging and boarding and hosts students from across the country who belong to other religions as well.
He is known as the ‘Silent Revolutionary’ for his humble and quiet services across Karnataka. He is a Padma Bhushan awardee.
He has also been honoured with The Karnataka Ratna and was voted “The best Hindu of the year” by a US-based group in 2016.