Unveiling of a statue of the 16th-century founder of Bengaluru – Nadaprabhu Kempegowda

Context: It is the “first and tallest bronze statue of a founder of a city,” as per ‘World Book of Records’. The monument is named as the “Statue of Prosperity“.

• It has been built to commemorate the contribution of Kempegowda, the founder of the city, towards the growth of Bengaluru.
• Renowned sculptor and Padma Bhushan awardee Ram Vanji Sutar has designed the statue.

About Nadaprabhu Kempegowda

• Nadaprabhu Hiriya Kempe Gowda, also known as Kempe Gowda was a chieftain under the Vijayanagara Empire.
• The city of Bengaluru, which is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka, was fortified by Kempe Gowda in 1537.
• A successor of descendants of Morasu Gowda lineage started as Yelahankanadu Prabhus (ruler of Yelhankanadu). The Yelahankanadu Prabhus belonged to Gowda community.
• Kempegowda’s initial plan for the city was to have temples, a fort, water tanks, and a cantonment. After receiving permission from emperor Achyutharaya, the chieftain built the Bangalore Fort and town in AD 1537.
• Kempegowda has been credited for abolishing the practice of cutting the fingers of the left hand of an unmarried woman during a custom known as Bandi Devaru.
• Kempegowda knew multiple languages, besides Kannada, and even authored a Yakshagana play in Telugu named Gangagaurivilasa.

Political Significance: After Lingayats, Vokkaliga is the second most dominant community in Karnataka and Kempegowda is its most iconic figure.

Source: The Indian Express