Laurels of the Lingayats

Basrur Subba Rao has long believed that reading other people’s thoughts gradually atrophies an innate capacity to think for oneself. A voracious reader of philosophical thought, the retired IAS officer took to writing rather later in life. He confesses that it wasn’t easy, even as he launches his third book Lingayata Philosophy at 84.  

“I took to writing as a hobby and it did not come easily. It took me years to develop the concise style of one of the great masters of English language: Joseph Conrad,” he says. The academician and research scholar from the Indian Institute of Science hasn’t had the time (or interest) to read pulp or even serious fiction. And it shows in his thoroughly researched and translated books on medieval Kannada philosophy — Kanaka Dasa in 2001 and Allama Prabhu in 2007.

“In today’s cultural ambience, philosophical works have no market. The translations of Kannada works are mostly limited to novels. I wanted to bring out the wealth of Kannada philosophical thought which has virtually been forgotten,” he says about his inspiration to pen down Lingayata Philosophy that will also see his niece Kathak dance exponent Madhu Nataraj Kiran perform a choreography based on the book.

The octogenarian has meticulously researched the book, starting with his research paper ‘Role of Buddhism and Kashmira Shaivism in Lingayata Philosophy of Karnataka’, which was also accepted for presentation at the 90th session of the Indian Philosophical Congress in Bodh Gaya earlier this year.
On what encouraged him to get eloquent about the subject, he says, “It was the depth of enquiry, width of vision and innovation of 12th century Lingayata sharanas that fascinated me.”

He adds, “This philosophy has integrated Kalamukha Shaivism, Nathism, Buddhism and Kashira Shaivism into one unique creed. Even philosophies which sharply conflict with each other — Hinduism and Buddhism — have been brought together. Other key elements of Lingayatism are social justice, humanism and gender equality. These are qualities so badly missed in today’s Hindu faith.”

Even in his 80s, the author’s vigour to learn more hasn’t ebbed. He still makes time to listen to music. “I listen to classical music — both Indian and western. How notes create different responses of heart and mind, fascinate me. Allama Prabhu has referred to ‘the ear within the ear’, the outer ear merely receives, the inner ear compares, remembers and responds,” he says about his hobby that often impinges on his writing.

And he is planning his next book. “I hope to prepare a photo catalogue of ancient temples of Basrur, my ancestral place, and other towns in Kundapura Taluk and Dakshina Kannada district. I’ve wanted to do this before they all disappear due to neglect or destruction. Basrur was once a great port which received ocean going ships. How this fell into disuse is a good subject for historical study.”