Professor at Government First Grade College, Moka, Kalavathi BG during Kittur Rani Chennamma Jayanti celebrations in Ballari on Thursday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Chairman Dr. Remembering the valiant freedom fighter Kittur Rani Chennamma on her birth anniversary, Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation (LIDKAR) Mundargi Nagaraj said the Kittur queen who fought fearlessly against the British continued to inspire generations of Indian women to stand up for justice and equality.
He was speaking after launching the Kittur Rani Chennamma Jayanti celebrations organized jointly by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, Ministry of Kannada and Culture and Ballari City Corporation on Thursday at Hongirana Cultural Complex Auditorium on Dr. Rajkumar Road in Ballari.
“Rani Chennamma was not just a queen but a revolutionary who was a symbol of courage and resistance. Her struggle reminds us that determination and moral strength are essential in life. Let us follow the ideals of Buddha, Basavanna and Dr. BR Ambedkar to build a meaningful life based on equality and justice,” said Mr. Nagaraj.
Karnataka State Minerals Corporation Limited Vice Chairman H. Lakshman said Kittur Rani Chennamma’s courage against the British made her one of the first freedom fighters in India. “Her contribution to society is immense and continues to inspire every generation,” he said.
The Chairman of the District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority, KE Chidanandappa, observed that if the principles of social equality preached by Basavanna in the 12th century, especially equal share and equal opportunity for all, were fully adopted, the British would not have been able to rule India.
“We must rise above caste and religious divisions and live in unity,” he said.
A professor at Government First Grade College, Moka, Kalavathi BG said that Rani Chennamma was not confined to her community or region but belonged to the entire nation as one of the first freedom fighters.
“Her bravery and the story of ‘Kappa Kanike’ is remembered during Independence Day celebrations where children dress up as Queen Kittur,” she said.
She also recalled that Kittur Rani Chennamma, born on October 23, 1778 in Kakati village of Belagavi district, hailed from the Lingayat Panchamasali community.
She was taught horse riding, sword fighting and archery from a young age and married Raja Mallasar Desai of the Desai dynasty at the age of 15.
Before that, the participants took a constitutional oath. And a procession featuring the portrait of Kittur Rani Chennamma, accompanied by traditional performing groups, was taken out from the Municipal College Ground via Indira Circle and Dr. Rajkumar Road which culminated in the auditorium of the Cultural Complex.
Published – 23 Oct 2025 19:54 IST
