Mangaluru: Dr. Hemavathi V. Heggade has been selected as the President of Dakshina Kannada District Kannada Sahitya Sammelana.
At the office-bearers’ meeting held at Ujire Ramakrishna Sabha Mandapam, Dr. M. P. Srinath said that Dakshina Kannada District Kannada Sahitya Parishad’s 25th Dakshina Kannada District Kannada Sahitya Sammelana will be held from February 3 to 5 for which Hemavathi V Heggade has been selected as the President.
Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade’s wife Hemavathi V. Heggade is a source of inspiration for millions of rural women in the State. Her vision, and thoughts are reflected in various women empowerment programmes across the State. It has brought about holistic empowerment in the lives of rural women in the State.
Dr. Hemavathi V. Heggade was born on April 2, 1951, in Peradi Beedu to Sri Raghuchandra Shetty and Pushpavathi Amma.
She completed her graduation from Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College, Ujire. On December 27, 1972 she was married to Dharmasthala Dharmadhikarie Dr. Veerendra Heggade. Hemavathi V Heggade who carried the idea of service in society from an early age, after became the partner of Heggade, jumped into the ocean of service to undertake activities that contributed to society.
Dr. Hemavathi Heggade’s journey of service began in 1973 with the creation of a Stree Shakti in Dharmasthala, that recognises women who were excluded from the mainstream of society and starting the Kanyakumari Yuva Mandali in 1973. Under the concept of Stree Shakti Sangha, all women were responsible for leading a life of economic self-sufficiency.
Imparting life education to millions of illiterate women through jnana vikasa programmes, she formed a self-help group of rural women and empowered them. Through Vatsalya programme, she supported those who were neglected by their family.
Towards economic empowerment of rural women through Dharmasthala Siri Grama Udyog, she proposed unique contribution to the society through various social functions.
Her commitment towards helping women makes her different from others. She thought of a medium that could touch all women at the same time. It was then that the writing came to her mind. She was prepared for the system of delivering all the words that were to be said to women through writing. She began to write articles on various topics, and social concerns for this purpose.
Through Manjuvani she has contributed immensely to literature through her writings in her own style by way of a letter to her daughter and a column titled ‘Gelathi’ in Nirantara’. Columns have also been published in a book form. She is the Honorary Editor of the monthly magazine Nirantara.
Hemavathi Heggade’s passion for literature has not diminished despite her immense responsibilities in the field. Instead, it has grown. Even today, if she hears the name of a good book, she gets it and reads it.
Hemavathi V. Heggade’s collection of poems differs from each other. There is a prayer poem of ‘Jnana Vikasa Kendra’. There are prayer songs, kolata, and there are reminiscences of those crowned to the mother Bharati. There is a description of the glory of Dharmasthala lakshadeepotsavam. There is a light of lamps called sahitya sammelans, dharma sammelans, tears of their concern for the environment, the chirping of birds, the sacrifice of Baahubali, the love of the mother, the manner of the daughter, the child’s childhood song, the shobhane song, the song of the baby, the aarti song song during upanayana, song for mehndi, and the song of talibandi. There are songs on applying turmeric, hasemane songs, seemanta’s blessings, lullabies, etc.
While these are so mundane poems, there are also poems that are transcendental.
She has contributed to Mahavira Swami Jogula, Gommata Stuti, Garbhavatarana Kalyana, Padmavathi Devi Stuti, Kudumadheesha, Ashtavidharchana song, Jinadeva’s stuti, Jinadevagarati and bhajana workshop in the field. The language of her literature is pure, simple and elegant. It contains material content that makes the reader read fluently. She has been involved in the writing, direction and composition of plays. Various art forms such as dance, dance metaphor, etc., have been combined with literature and encouraged through experimentation.
She has a keen interest in folk art and literature and has a great desire to preserve them and make the future generations aware of their importance. Hemavathi Heggade was honoured by Mangalore University at its 40th convocation this year. Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot conferred on her education and social service sector-based honours. She was also awarded a doctorate. Seeing her service and achievements in various fields, many organisations and the Government have honoured her.
A preparatory meeting on the preparations for the District Sahitya Sammelana will be held today at 5.00 pm at Sri Krishnanugraha Auditorium, Ujire.
