The Basavanna and Kempegowda statues’ unveiling will flag off a cultural festival.
Story so far: On Monday, Karnataka revenue minister R Ashoka announced that the statues of the 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and chieftain Kempegowda would be inaugurated in front of the Vidhana Soudha on March 23.
- The statues, surrounded by greenery, will be 4 meters high and have equestrian postures. CM Basavaraj Bommai will be responsible for the unveiling during a grand ceremony.
- The inauguration will preface the Bengaluru Habba, a festival from March 24 to 26 in memory of Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru. It will include food shows, music events, art exhibitions, vintage car and bike exhibitions, and dog shows.
Why though? Kempegowda’s contribution to building Bengaluru is popularly known. His statue is called the ‘Statue of Prosperity’ because of the chieftain’s pioneering effort to cater to the area’s water necessities by building a thousand lakes.
- As Lingayats and Vokkaliggas revere the two historical figures, the unveiling can also be politically profitable for the CM in the upcoming Assembly elections.