According to the Statement of B Rajagopalacharya, who is one of the Member of Surapura Raja Guru Family, Kannada Sahitya Sangha Surapura was established in the year 1942. As a child he accompanied his elders to the meeting Venue at Venugopal Swamy Temple at Surapura year in 1942. Later as he grew up, this Historical event was over an again discussed in his Family and so till today. In this way Sri. B Rajgopalcharya is the witness to the above historical event and to this day his living to tell the story. According to him a meeting was held at Sri. Venugopala Swamy Temple with the blessings of the then Raja of Surapura Raja Krishtappa Nayak. The sole inspiration for this event was eminent Kannada writer Masti Venkatesh Ayengar and Tarasu who were present in the meeting. The prominent participant in the meeting were, Sri. Ashtavadhani Avaduth Shastri, Sri.Ashtavadhani Narasimha Shastri, eminent Astrologer Shesha Shastri Hebbal, Deekshachar Advocate, Naganna Advocate, Buddhivant Shetty, Tulajaram sing Advocate, Daualtrao Master, Prabhurao Teacher Rangampet, Venkobrao Mujamdar, Ramachari Bendagumali, Kuradi Hanamanthrao Manager co-operative Bank, were present. A committee was formed on that day. Subsequently, the next meetings were held at the premises of Sri. Parankush Swamy Math(Math where the sacred Brindavan of Srivaishnava Saint Sri. Parankush Swamy is situated) near Devar Kere at Surapura.
Later on a committee was formed under the chairmanship of Shesha Shastri Hebbal and a library was formed near Sri. Pandurang Swamy Temple which was named as Sarasvati Vidya Mandir. During Dassera Nada Habba used to be celebrated. As a part of Nada Habba speaches of eminent Scholars from across the Karnataka was being arranged besides Kannada Dramas, Singing competition and Dance for Students used to be arranged which promoted literary atmosphere among the Students. This practice is continued till today.
Later on, two independent Sanghas were organized each at Surapura and Rangam Peth. Surapura Sangha was headed by Sri. Shesha Shastri Hebbal. Later on Sri. Channaveerayya Tahasildar, Ashtavadhani Narasimha Shastri, Dr. Raghunath. Bharati became presidents of the Sangha. Naganna Advocate was president for several years. In the year 1960 Sangha was registered on 03.12.1960 with registered No. 2601. A building was constructed during the year 1959 behind the Bus Stand at Surapura to Kembavi Road. The building was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of the State Sri. B.D. Jatti. Sri. Naganna Advocate when was on death bed, he called Sri. J Augustin Advocate who was a General Secretary of Sangha and Sri. A Krishna (eminent Poet) and handed over the, the building and other necessary files to them and asked them to continue the work of the Sangha which was founded by Great Souls of Kannada.
Sri. Naganna died on 25.10. 1995. After the demise of Naganna Advocate, Sri. Mallappa Bashetty (Rtd Teacher) became the president and Mr. J Augustin was General Secretary and Late. Shivasharnappa Shabadi was the treasurer of the Sangha. Late Shivasharnappa Shabadi and Sri. Basavaraj Jamadarkhani laid down strict Financial disciple in the Sangha. Their guidelines are still followed. After the demise of Sri. Mallappa Bashetty, Raja Madangopal Nayak was elected as President of the Sangha and Sri. J Augustin continued as General Secretary in Sangha and Late. A Krishna was the Vice President of the Sangha and Sri. Govardhan Jhawar became the treasurer of the Sangha.
Raja Madangopal Nayak besides being eminent Leader and Ex-Minister of Surapura, he was also a person from the Brotherhood of Surapura Royal Family. He was keenly interested in promoting History, Art and Literature of Surapura. He did a great service in publishing Kannada Anthology of Poems written by Local Poets. He was instrumental in publishing a Magnum Opus “Sagara Naada Darshana” edited by eminent Poet and Scholar Sri. A Krishna. This Book provided material for Hundreds of Articles and Research work on the History and Culture of Surapura. This Books is great demand and has gone out of Print. Our Sangha has a plan to reprint the same and upload the book in this Website. Raja Madangopal Nayak, as a President of the Sangha is instrumental in building the Present New Structure on the existing site with Shopping Complex in the Ground Floor and Meeting Hall with Office on the First Floor. This building has provided financial stability to the Sangha. Unfortunately, Raja Madangopal Nayak demised on 27.07.2021. But the Sangha is continuing all his Plans and Good works with the same spirit.
Now the Present Office Bearers are as under
Sri. Basavaraj Jamdarkhani, President.
Sri. J Augustin Advocate Vice President
Sri. Srinivas Jalavadi General Secretary.
Sri. Rajashekhar Desai Secretary.
Sri. Raghavendra Kulkarni Badihal. Joint Secretary.
Sri. Prakashchand Jain Treasurer.
The Sangha is committed to carry out the spirit of National Spirit infused by its founder who were freedom Fighters and men of great integrity and caliber and dedicated to continue and advance the work of Kannada inspired by great Sages of Kannada Sri. Masti Venkatesh Ayangar, Ta Ra Su and Sri. B.M Srikantayya.
This Website was a long cherished dream of Raja Madangopal Nayak and J Augustin Advocate which is being materialized today.
Surapura is the most sought after place by Historians, Archeologists, Epigraphers and others interested in Art, Culture and Literature from all over the World. We try to Place all the possible Literature and Materia Medica about Surapura in the Website. It is matter of proud privilege that, the Ex-Chief Minister of the State and an eminent Epic Poet of Kannada Language Sri. Dr. Veerappa Moily has inaugurated the Website of Kannada Sahitya Sangha Surapura through his first Login and we are all great full for his inaugural Speach. During the inaugural hours, we are fortunate to have amidst us an eminent scholar of the State Sri. Prof. Seetaram Jagirdar a great Scholar and renowned Epigrapher, Editor of Epigraphia Karnataka and Rajyotsava awardee and a Proud Son of Surapura who delivered a key note address and also we are great full to Raja Amaresh Nayak Member of Parliament from Raichur Constituency and Sri. Raja Venkatappa Nayak Ex-MLA and Smt. Sujata Jewargi Chairman City Municipal Council Surapura, who graced the occasion of the inauguration.
President and All Members of Kannada Sahitya Sangha Surapura Information is Compiled by J Augustin,
Advocate Vice President Kannada Sahitya Sangha Surapura
Date: 27-07-2021.
