Gadag: Five achievers from different fields will receive Dr Tontada Siddalinga Mahaswamiji Smaraka National Awards at a programme in Gadag on Oct 22, marking the eighth death anniversary of Tontada Siddhalinga Mahaswamiji.The programme, beginning at 10.30am at the Shivanubhava Mantapa, named after the late seer, will also include the inauguration of a building and the release of books.Sri Jagadguru Tontadarya Vidyapeetha secretary Prof SS Pattanshettar said the awardees include former Karnataka labour minister SK Kanta of Kalaburagi; psychiatrist Dr Anand Pandurangi of Dharwad, posthumously; Sharana Vicharavahini president IR Mathapati of Harugeri; artist Chandrashekhar Somashetti of Bidar; and Basava Media, Bengaluru. Each award carries Rs 1 lakh and a citation.Kanta is being recognised for his work as an MSK Mill worker, labour union organiser, labour movement leader and two-term legislator. Pandurangi was known for helping children, emotionally distressed young people, couples facing marital problems and elderly people. Mathapati, a high school teacher, has spent four decades promoting Sharana literature, organising youth camps, Basava Bhoomi yatras and de-addiction camps, and publishing several works. Somashetti, a watercolour artist and art teacher for about 35 years, used his retirement funds to establish a Basaveshwara art gallery in Bidar depicting Basavanna, other Sharanas and their social reform movements. Basava Media is being honoured for disseminating the teachings and vachanas of Basavanna and other Sharanas globally through digital video, animation, audio, art, music and print.
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