Artistes performing at the Kittur Utsav at Kittur in Belagavi district on Thursday. | Photo credit: PK BADIGER
Writer Vijayalakshmi Tirlapur on Friday said it was a collective responsibility to spread awareness about the history of Kittur and the valor of Rani Chennamma. She was speaking at a session on the history of Kittur at the Kittur Utsav in Belagavi district.
“We all should listen to Rani Chennamma’s story, learn about our history and tell it to our younger generation. Chennamma has remained in everyone’s hearts because of her ideals. Not only that, Rani Chennamma’s personal life is also a role model for us,” Ms. Tirlapur said.
Rani Chennamma’s childhood was very brave and she learned all skills including warfare from her youth. “This should be ideal for our children. The queen knew four languages and was a spiritual being, she said. She urged the authorities to ensure that Rani Channamma’s story is written and translated into all Indian languages and featured in historical texts,” she said.
Nagaratna Parande, director of the Rani Chennamma Study Centre, spoke in detail about the history of Kittur and described incidents including the battles of Kittur. She warned against reading, believing and sharing wrong information about the history of Kittur or Rani Chennamma.
Artistes performing at the Kittur Utsav at Kittur in Belagavi district on Thursday. | Photo credit: PK BADIGER
Nirmala Battal, a resource person, spoke about the role of women in the administrative system of Kittur. “The history of Chennamma is immortal forever. But we should read about it in detail, she said. She also spoke about the challenges Rani Chennamma faced in a patriarchal society. In a male-dominated system, it was difficult for women to gain power. In such a situation, queens like Belavadi Mallamma and Rani Chennamma used the opportunity they got and gave good governance to the citizens.
Ms. Battal said Rani Chennamma’s contribution was as important as that of Joan of Arc.
Archana Athani spoke about the lessons offered by Rani Chennamma’s ideals. We should not limit our study of Kittura to just three days in a year, but to the whole year, she said. Her spiritual contribution to the Sharana revolution in and around North Karnataka is significant, she said.
She urged women to take self-defense lessons along with modern education.
Jyoti Badami spoke about social harmony in the Kingdom of Kittur. “She is an example of women empowerment. She defeated the British in coordination with brave soldiers like Amatur Balappa and Sangolli Rayanna, but she led the army and planned the strategy,” she said.
Professor Saraswati Kalasada spoke about the administrative style of Rani Channamma. “She was a brave and courageous woman with a vision and thought about the future not only of her region but of the whole country,” she said.
On the second day, various discussion sessions and cultural programs were held in the Kittur Utsav.
Published – 24 Oct 2025 21:02 IST
