Hubli-Dharwad Trip : Part 2 - Sadhanakeri

Sadhanakeri is some 5km away from Dharwad, the district centre. ‘Bendre Bhavana’, a memorial in memory of great Kannada poet and Jnaana Peetha award (which is the highest civilian honour in India for Literature) winner Dr. D R Bendre or Da Ra Bendre is here. Nearby is the home of Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre, ‘Shri Matha’.

Bendre Bhavana, Sadhanakeri, Dharwad

When we reached Sadhanakeri it was already past 5 pm and visiting hours for Bendre Bhavana is till 5 pm. But when we requested the personnel there, he agreed to let us in. Bendre Bhavana is full of rare photographs from Dr. Da Ra Bendre’s life and portrait paintings of the great poet. Certificates received by Dr. D R Bendre – Padmashree award from Govt. of India, Doctor of Literature from Mysore University, Bachelor of Arts(B.A) and Master of Arts(M.A) from University of Bombay and Doctor of Literature from Karnatak University, Dharwad are also on display. Quotes, extracts from his poems too filled the memorial with greatest Kannada poet’s memories. One of his quotes, I would like to mention here is – Rasave Janana, Virasave Marana, Samarasave Jeevana.

Bendre's Home in Sadhanakeri

Ambikatanayadatta Vedike, Sadhanakeri

After visiting the Bendre Bhavana we went to see Dr. Bendre’s home which is adjacent to the memorial. For Da Ra Bendre, who wrote with pen name Ambikatanayadatta, Sadhanakeri was a place of inspiration with his poems praising the beauty of nature here. Bendre’s home too is a place of memories where you can find – things used by the great poet in his life time, dresses he used to wear, mementos received by him from various organizations and the Jnaana Peetha Award certificate along with the memento. You can also buy the books written by Da Ra Bendre from here. Written on the walls of the home are the poems by the Vishva kavi. In the premises of the house you can find the Ambikatanayadatta Vedike, a stage for literary discussions and Varakavi Dr. Da Ra Bendre Adhyayana Kendra, centre for research on works by Bendre.

Sadhanakeri Lake

In front of the house is the vast Sadhanakeri Lake. No wonder, Bendre was inspired by these wonderful surroundings. When we went to see this lake, the time was perfect; sun was about to set. Sunset at this beautiful lake is really awesome. Add to this different types of birds flocking towards the lake. Picture is perfect, nature at its best for the man to watch and enjoy every moment of it. Hakki Haaruthide Nodidira? ( Have you seen the birds flying) – goes one of Bendre’s poems. If the evening brings you these best moments then what about the mornings when the sun is rising? One of Bendre’s most famous poems describing the mornings soothes you at every word – Moodalamaneya muttina neerana erakavaa hoida, Nunnanerakava hoida…Baagila teredu belaku haridu jagavellaa.. toida hoyitu jagavella toida… I was found wanting to translate these lines into English which describes how morning sun rays have made the world wet! This poem was adapted to a Kannada film, Belli Moda. With Vijaya Bhaskar’s music and S Janaki’s voice this song is made ever green.

Sunset at Sadhanakeri Lake

It was a very nice feeling to be in these surroundings, far away from the busy and tense city areas. After several unsuccessful attempts to get that perfect picture of flock of birds flying towards the lake, we were on our way back to Dharwad carrying sweet memories of Sadhanakeri.

Regards,
Raveesh

Also Read,
Hubli-Dharwad Trip : Part 1