The New Zealand Chapter proudly hosted the Official Inauguration of the Basava Samiti of Asia Pacific Ltd and the First Asia Pacific Basava Convention in Auckland, New Zealand, on 8th and 9th April 2023. The inauguration was graced by Hon. Minister Michael Wood, Minister for Immigration, Transport, Workplace Relations and Safety, alongside Auckland’s Associate Minister of Finance, at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre.
The First Asia Pacific Basava Convention was officially inaugurated by Mr. Arvind Jatti, President of Basava Samithi, Bengaluru, India, marking a significant milestone for the charity under its new branding.
A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Prabhakar Basavaprabhu Kore, Chairman of the KLE Society and Chancellor of KLE Academy of Higher Education & Research (KAHER), for his invaluable support during this pivotal inauguration.
The New Zealand Chapter is renowned for its “Maneyalli Mahamane” events, held on the second Saturday of every month. These gatherings feature exclusive audio files developed to facilitate the Sahaja Shivayoga programme, introduced by Poojya Shri Dr. Shivamurthy Murughasharanaru from MurughAmath, Chitradurga. Children participate with enthusiasm, fostering artistic expression and greater engagement from community members.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many events transitioned to virtual meetings, where special guests and subject matter experts were invited to enrich the discussions. This adaptation enabled us to organise numerous virtual seminars on diverse topics.
The Mahamane events have provided a platform for discussing the broader meanings of Vachanas. Both children and adults have explored these teachings through reading, singing, and engaging discussions, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of Vachanas.
Each year, the Vachanotsava celebrates Vachana competitions, recitations, and showcases during Diwali. This annual event highlights Vachanas intertwined with classical music, allowing attendees to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the teachings.
During the same online event, we invited Dr. Shashikant Pattan as a guest speaker to conduct a workshop on “Personality Development in Vachanas.” This event attracted numerous members and Basava followers from across the globe.
Our Mahamane events also facilitate discussions on mental health, wellbeing, and the process of Ishta Linga meditation, promoting holistic health among participants. The classical music presentations of Vachanas, combined with speeches like “Personality Development in Vachanas,” continue to engage and inspire our community.
At the 13 November 2022 Mahamane, we had the honour of hosting Pandit Dr. Mrithunjaya G. Shettar as a special guest, further enriching our discussions and community engagement.
