The founder of Bengaluru Kempe Gowda did not belong to any one community, asserted Chamaraja Assembly constituency MLA K. Harish Gowda while describing him as a “visionary and humanist”, who built lakes and distinct settlements or petes for various occupational groups.

Speaking after inaugurating the 517th Jayanti celebrations of Kempegowda organised by Mysuru district administration in association with Kempe Gowda Jayanthi Celebration Committee in the City on Saturday, Mr. Gowda said Kempe Gowda had faithfully implemented Basavanna’s principle of “egalitarian co-existence” in his administration and earned recognition for governing all communities with equal concern. 

He said Kempe Gowda deserves credit for leading all communities together and transforming the region into a “garden of peace” for all faiths.

Grand procession

Expressing happiness over the grandeur of the procession taken out earlier in the day to mark Kempe Gowda Jayanti celebrations in Mysuru, Mr. Gowda said the procession was also disciplined and well co-ordinated.

Flower-decked chariots carrying the statues of Kempe Gowda and late Adichunchanagiri seer Balagangadharanatha Swami were part of the procession that was flagged off from Kote Anjaneyaswamy near the North Gate of Mysuru Palace in the presence of Mysuru Branch head of Adichunchanagiri Mutt Someshwaranatha Swami.

Tableaux depicting the history of Vokkaliga community, besides several cultural troupes were also part of the procession that passed through the main thoroughfares of the City before reaching Kalamandira.

Someshwaranatha Swami, said Kempe Gowda had foreseen Bengaluru’s growth and had built four watch towers in four directions of the City. “His vision that Bengaluru would one day expand beyond those boundaries had become a reality,” he remarked.

Speaking on the occasion, history lecturer at Kuvempunagar Government Pre-University College in Kuvempunagar in Mysuru H. Vasuboregowda said Kempe Gowda was not merely a warrior, but also an outstanding town planner and a ruler committed to public welfare.

“He laid the foundation for what has today become a globally renowned city,” he said.

To promote trade and commerce, he established separate localities for different occupational groups, traces of which continue to exist in areas such as Chikkapete, Doddapete, Akkipete, Balepete and Taragupete, he said.

To ensure that the city’s residents never faced a shortage of water, Kempe Gowda built hundreds of lakes including Dharmambudhi Lake, Kempambudhi Lake and Ulsoor Lake.

Mr. Vasuboregowda further noted that Kempe Gowda not only focused on urban development, but also opposed superstitious and inhuman social practices. He abolished the cruel custom known as “Bandi Devara”, under which women’s fingers were amputated, thereby emerging as a social reformer.

More than 400 students were presented with talent awards during the programme, while over 36 achievers from various fields were felicitated.