Udupi scholar preserves rare documents from 1947

Udupi: Prof S A Krishnaiah a scholar in folklore and history , from Prachyasanchaya (Oriental Archives) Samshodhan Kendra, a unit of National Trust for Computation and Archival Oriental Media in Udupi, is attempting to reconstruct India’s national history, by collecting documents, mostly handbills of India’s first flag hoisting ceremony that took place in various parts of India.

He has preserved a handbill regarding celebrations in Udupi on August 14 and 15, 1947 .

He preserves rare handbills of 1947as well as photographs from that period, and has interacted with senior citizens to learn more about that period. He is doing research and preserving rare documents to reconstruct national history. Krishnaiah has collected documents related to the freedom movement, like printed handbills, more than 500 pages of news clips, Arnold Bake’s records of 1938, who was one of Rabindranath Tagore’s disciples, and has created a database and digitised the same. He is fellow at Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India.

Krishnaiah told TOI, “As per the handbill preserved that is in Kannada, celebrations began from August 14. Independence Day was celebrated on August 14 and 15, 1947, in Udupi. From 8pm to 12am on August 14, Yakshagana Talamaddale ‘Swarajya Vijaya’, composed by M V Hegde, was presented at Shri Madanatheshwara Temple, Car Street. Advocate Vittal Kamath was the chairperson. At Car Street, under the leadership of Paryaya Swamiji Sri Lakshmeendra Theertha Swamiji from Shiroor Math, flag hoisting was held. The swamiji then addressed the gathering on patriotism, which was followed by a siren which rang for five minute. At the stroke of the midnight hour at Krishna mutt, people rang bells and played the drums, followed by the loud bangs of 90 ‘kadoni’ (fireworks that explode with a loud sound). It is learnt that Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Sri Pejawar Adhokshaja Mutt was present during the celebration.

At 6.30am on August 15, 1947, a procession was taken to Thenkupete. This was followed by flag hoisting . ‘Ganji’ (rice porridge prepared from boiled rice) was served on the occasion. At 2pm, sweet peppermint was distributed to all schoolchildren of Udupi municipality. From 3pm to 3.45pm, a procession was held via Brahmagiri, Kadabettu, from the Government Hospital near Shiribeedu, Kalsanka road. It passed via Badagubettu, Tenkapete and Koladapete, to reach Gandhi Maidan. Flag hoisting was again done there at 6pm, which was followed by a public meeting.

“Documenting of these records will help in rebuilding national history and provide an insight into the culture of the region. I request the people and governments to reach us in case they have any such material, so that it can be documented and preserved,” said Krishnaiah.