The inspiration for this blog came fro this : http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/bal-thackeray-takes-potshot-at-raj-for-opposing-bihar-cms-mumbai-visit-276237.html
In the last para, there is a statement attributed to Balsaheb Thackeray, speaking on the issue of Marathi pride, he said “no one was more aggressive than Shiv Sena in opposing “atrocities” on Marathi-speakers in Belgaum by the Kannada people."
For starters, I am from Belgaum. Born in a village in that district, had my major education there, including the cultural types. I read, write & speak both Kannada & Marathi. That gave me the advantage of watching & enjoying Kannada movies & Marathi Dramas. Reading Kannada books in Devnagari & vice-versa. Reading PuLa who spent some years in Belgaum. One should listen to his ‘Raosaheb’ which reflects the uniqueness of this region & D.R. Bendre the great poet Kannada was a Marathi .
The common thread that runs in this region, That starts from the Kolhapur Distirct to Dharwad & runs up to Solhapur are many, recounting a few here:
1. The 'Adhidivata' of Maharashtra i.e Vithoba of Pandharpur happens to be form Karnataka http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vithoba. Vitthala was the Kuladivata of the Hoysala Kings & the Vijaya Vitthala Temple symbolizes this. It was these rulers who also built the Pandharpur Temple.
2. The man who brought Vithoba to Pandharpur, Pundalika was also a Karnataka. Remember the abhang 'Kanadau Vitthalu karanataki' & ‘Kanada Raja Pandharicha”... & many others that confirm this?
3. ShahajiRaje Bhonsle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahaji was in Bijapur & his son Venkoji from his 2nd wife was in Bengalore...
4. Worshipping of the Datta Sampradaya, Renuka (Yellamma), Jamadagni, Parahuram in his various forms are unique to this region, till date.
The region has given enormous talent in the field of Art & Culture, names that have not been restricted to one language or the other. To name a few:
5. The Man who revolutionised Marathi Theater Annasaheb Kirloskar was from Gurlhosur a village in Karnatakahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annasaheb_Kirloskar
6. Savai Gandharva of Kundgol, Bhimsen Joshi of Gadag, Kumar Gandharva of Sulebhavi are a few more names that can be spoken of
Words like Appa, Anna, Mai & many more things from Karnataka contributed to what Maharashtra & Marathi is.
A unique coexistence happens here. Krisna & Bhima's shores are the joining points. Please let it leave that way.. If possible try to contribute positively.
This region represents composite culture - a meeting of minds, of music, of harmony of co-existence for centuries. let us not politicise our composite culture and divide people held together by centuries of culture & sanskriti
