” It’s a high-security event, with around 500 police officials of various ranks and from the Home Guards appointed for the two-day festival. Culture is always changing, as are notions of entertainment and the Parishe has expanded also, with games, petting zoos and even circus performances to keep customers entertained. Every year, we begin with three clean-up drives. How did this locality in Bengaluru come to be named after him? “That goes back to Kempegowda’s time,” says Satyanarayana.”A few lakh visitors arrive each year, as well as the 2000-odd vendors participating in the fair.”His approach to the fair goes beyond the discharging his official duties.
That’s how the locality around the temple became Basavanagudi (temple of Lord Basava).” Today, there are also more vendors than farmers.”To set the tone for the fair following official delegation of duties, he said, “Preparing Basavanagudi is the first task.Voices raised in songs of devotion as crowds throng to seek the blessings of Nandi and Lord Shiva, the steady hum of customers haggling, as far as the eye can see, an ocean of brown – groundnuts, laid out along the streets.The man with the proverbial ‘100-watt smile’ and down-to-earth manner, is well-versed with the history of his locality. “It’s the result of a collaborative force. These happen in Basavanagudi’s parks. Since it became a sort of meeting point for farmers, Kempegowda conceptualised a festival, the Kadklekai Parishe. “Some buy their groundnuts from K. Market, others visit farmers in the nearby villages. Kempegowda, who is known as the founder of Bengaluru, took it upon himself to construct a temple, dedicated to Lord Basava.
BMS Hospital, which is in the area, has been well-equipped in case there is a medical emergency of any kind. With the city becoming a multi-cultural site, we have to take pride in not only exhibiting our culture, but also share the stories of our land to the foster generation and people from other cultures. In the context, he said, “Our celebrations shouldn’t cause harm to the environment. Groundnuts were diligently purchased and fried or boiled back home. There are also many more varieties being sold today, as vendors stock different produce. Therefore, this is a good initiative. However, since this is no longer agricultural land, farmers have moved to the outskirts of the city,” he explains. “I’m unable to enjoy the fair now,” he says, somewhat sadly, “My responsibilities as a corporator means I have a checklist of things that need to be attended to! Earlier, I was free to roam around and enjoy the jaathre!”Bengaluru’s commercialisation has cast its spell on the Parishe, says Satyanarayana. One on Friday, then a day before the fair and of course, one the day after the fair comes to an end. “They decided to appeal to Lord Shiva, to stop this bull from ravaging their livelihoods.”
Taking inspiration from the iconic Kadlekai Parishe in Basavanagudi, chapters of the same have emerged in Malleshwaram and Yelahanka. Mr. Warrier about the Kadlekai Parishe which will take place on Nov. Drinking water is provided by BWSSB, while the BBMP and Muzrai departments are at the forefront of the festival’s organisation. 25 and 26. This is Basavanagudi in November. Former mayor and current corporator in Basavanagudi, B. The BJP government in 2008, he says, “turned the festival into a cultural extravaganza, where dance, music and folk art are performed by residents and professionals. Speaking in this regard, he said “The traffic woes in the city have made it difficult for people to make it to the fair. Today, instead of sitting in a vast open space, the Parishe zigzags its way around the buildings. So back then, the festival was anchored by the farmers themselves. Satyanarana, shares a special bond with the old tradition.S.” This year, the platform of the festival is also used to provide awareness about the use of plastic and waste segregation. China spring nuts Manufacturers Satyanarayana says,
“Fairs like Kadlekai Parishe are platform for upholding the culture of our land.”.“Basavanagudi was surrounded by villages that cultivated groundnuts. He tells Vishaka V. Basava is another term for ‘Nandi’, or bull. The fourth Monday of Kaarthika Maasa was devoted to the farmers making their offering.”Satyanarayana has always lived in Basavanagudi and the Kadlekai Parishe brings back many memories, going back to when he was a child himself.” The bull, or the Basava, is believed to be the gatekeeper of Kailasha, the abode of Lord Shiva.R. “Groundnuts were grown here but the farmers found, to their disappointment, that their crop was being consumed in the nights by a bull. Basavanagudi has become an “adda for foodies, lovers of performing arts and of course, the devotees, seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva. There are still farmers who come in person, from places like Magadi, Anekal and Dodballapur, who represent their community in person even today. “I remember farmers arriving in vehicles to offer their produce and participating in the fair,” he smiles. So, they offered their produce to the Nandi first before it was given for human consumption