Karnatak University Takes Institutional Step to Elevate Women Philosophers
In a significant move to address the systemic neglect of women thinkers, Karnatak University, Dharwad (KUD) has announced a new initiative to promote the work of female philosophers. Vice-Chancellor Prof AM Khan revealed on Sunday that the university will now present books on women philosophers and contributors as gifts at its official programs, ensuring their intellectual contributions reach a broader audience.
Addressing Historical Oversight in Philosophical Recognition
Speaking at the inauguration of the Sadhaki Conference held at the Kanaka Study Chair auditorium, Prof Khan emphasized that women deserve due recognition in philosophy, literature, and knowledge systems. He highlighted a persistent societal bias where male saints and philosophers receive immediate acknowledgment while women thinkers remain largely overlooked.
"Even when we conduct online searches, names of male figures like Kanakadasa appear prominently, whereas women contributors rarely achieve similar visibility," Prof Khan noted, pointing to the digital age's reinforcement of historical imbalances.
Celebrating Legacy of Women Saints and Thinkers
The vice-chancellor specifically cited the contributions of women saints and philosophers such as Akkamahadevi, Goggavve, Bheemavva, and Helavanakatte Giriyamma. He stressed that their spiritual and philosophical traditions warrant greater remembrance and scholarly study to enrich contemporary understanding.
"Their philosophical songs and vachanas continue to offer fresh perspectives to modern society, transcending divisions of caste, religion, and gender," Prof Khan added, underscoring the timeless relevance of their work.
Conference Highlights Collaborative Efforts for Gender Equity
The Sadhaki Conference was organized by the Kanaka Study Chair at KUD and the Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha, in collaboration with the Centre for the Study of Saint Poet Kanakadasa and Tatvapadakaras from Bengaluru. This event served as a platform to discuss the historical and contemporary roles of women in philosophical discourse.
Prof KT Chikkanna, president of the Centre for the Study of Saint Poet Kanakadasa and Tatvapadakaras, remarked that women poets and philosophers from medieval times expressed their experiences, sufferings, and insights through various literary forms including vachanas, keertanas, and tatvapadas.
Call for Increased Academic Research on Women's Works
Chief guest Prof Malati Pattanashetti elaborated on how women in earlier periods articulated personal experiences and social realities through devotional and philosophical compositions. She urged current students and scholars to undertake more extensive research on these works to uncover their full intellectual and cultural significance.
Another chief guest, Prof R Sunandamma, president of the Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha, emphasized that philosophical thought inherently transcends societal divisions. She advocated for a more inclusive approach to studying philosophical heritage that acknowledges the contributions of all genders.
Program Inauguration and Cultural Elements
The event commenced with a musical performance by Dr Parashuram Katti Sangavi and his team from Dharwad, setting a reflective tone for the discussions. Prof Hanamagouda C welcomed the attendees, while Bharati Hegde, coordinator of the Centre for the Study of Saint Poet Kanakadasa and Tatvapadakaras, compered the program. Suma Satish, secretary of the Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha, delivered the vote of thanks, concluding the conference on a note of collective commitment to gender equity in philosophical studies.
This institutional initiative by Karnatak University marks a proactive step toward rectifying historical omissions and fostering a more balanced representation of philosophical thought in academic and public spheres.
