Many people were asking about a book on Basavanna, written in a simple and lucid form. While translations of epic contain shades of obscurantism, the writings of modernists are of extreme dialectics. A common reader chafes at both these extreme approaches. In order to quench the thirst of a common reader to know about Basavanna, I began writing on Basavanna's life in "Kalyana Kirana"- a monthly Kannada theosophical magazine, from April 1979 and completed in Apr. 1980. Now, these 12 articles in series compiled, are being published as a book.
I wrote these articles when I was tied-up with a busy schedule of work and tours. Even there after, I could neither edit nor revise them. This book is, some what, a reminiscence of what Basavanna had said "I sing the way I please, the way I feel", as I have written how I was inspired. I have an ambition of writing a comprehensive novel (on the line of my other work -TARANGINI) on Basavanna in the near future and I am sure the present book will serve as a synopsis.
I am very much aware that a multifaceted personality of Basavanna, as a revolutionary, a seer, a mystic, a visionary, a free thinker, a poet, a composer and a social reformer cannot be depicted in a small book like this. But still, I have made an attempt to show an elephant in a small mirror.
It is indispensable that every one should know about the life and work of Basavanna. Parents should understand that there is an immense need to make their children know about Basavanna's life, achievement and message. My best wishes to all eager readers.
Camp. Bangalore Jagadguru Maata Mahadevi
Date. 14.4.1980
