The much-debated National Education Policy (2020) seeks to root education in the Indian ethos and civilisational heritage. This is welcome. But the real challenge lies not only in intention but also in execution. A good example is whether and how we have attempted to include the globally unparalleled Bhakti movement in our educational curriculum.

How many of us can imagine a lady, as far back as the 12th century, who, covered only by her tresses, walked nude to Kalyan in present day Karnataka, to have a philosophical dialogue with the great Lingayat seer, Basavanna? Her name was Mahadevi Akka. This conversation took place at a place called the Anubhava Mantapa or “the hall of spiritual experience”, where men and women from all social backgrounds could come to openly discuss spiritual questions or matters of public importance.

Basavanna, along with Allama Prabhu, founded the powerful social reform movement of that time, the Virashaiva Lingayats. Through intensely lyrical and devotional hymns, the Lingayats sought personal communion with Shiva, and railed against archaic customs, superstitions, image worship, animal sacrifice and the caste system. Mahadevi, a wandering........

© hindustantimes