Chilume Ravikumar Redefines Kempegowda Jayanthi as Bengalurina Janakana Janmotsava : A Unique Tribute to the Founder of Bengaluru

Bengaluru – In an era where public commemorations often feel ceremonial or performative, this year’s Kempegowda Jayanthi—the 516th birth anniversary of the revered founder of Bengaluru—was transformed into a living, breathing celebration of civic pride and cultural identity. At the heart of this transformation was Chilume Ravikumar, a rising youth leader from the Vokkaliga community, whose vision and leadership brought a profound and participatory dimension to the festivities.

The celebration, which spanned three days and multiple parts of the city, was organized by the Chilume Ravikumar Foundation, which has emerged as a dynamic force for cultural revival, youth mobilization, and community welfare in Karnataka. Unlike the usual format of political stage programs and formal speeches, Ravikumar chose to honour Kempegowda’s legacy by taking it to the streets, into public spaces, and into the hands of everyday citizens. The goal was not to merely remember the founder of Bengaluru but to activate his vision through action.

The commemorations began on June 24, early in the morning, with the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Samadhi Parisara Shuddhi Abhiyana, a large-scale cleanliness drive held at the sacred Samadhi of Kempegowda. As the first light of dawn touched the city, volunteers began gathering at the site. The air was filled with purpose rather than pomp. Over 200 volunteers, including students, civic groups, NSS and NCC units, and local residents, joined hands to clean the Samadhi premises. Reusable cleaning materials, gloves, masks, brooms, and biodegradable bags were distributed. A volunteer support system ensured water, snacks, and medical kits were available.

Chilume Ravikumar arrived on-site at 6:45 AM and addressed the volunteers with a simple but impactful message: “The best way to celebrate a visionary like Kempegowda is not with banners or garlands, but through service that reflects his values.” He then officially flagged off the drive. The participants cleaned the site with care and reverence, aware that they were contributing to the preservation of not just a monument, but a memory. The event concluded with a public pledge where everyone present committed to maintaining clean and respectful public spaces, echoing Kempegowda’s urban planning vision.

The second day, June 25, saw the execution of Pushpārchane Namana, a city-wide floral tribute held simultaneously at six significant Kempegowda statues and towers. These included Kempegowda International Airport, Lalbagh Tower, Hudson Circle, Vidhan Soudha, KIMS Hospital, and Gavi Gangadeshwara Temple. Each location became a miniature celebration in itself. Community members laid floral garlands, school children sang Kannada folk songs, and elders shared stories of the Kempegowda lineage with emotional pride. These tributes had no stage, no centralized leader at the podium. Instead, they had people—hundreds of them—coming together to pay their respects in their own meaningful way.

Rather than speak from a stage, Ravikumar allowed the spaces to speak for themselves. “This is about shared memory,” said one volunteer at the airport statue. “When I lay these flowers, I remember why I’m proud to live in Bengaluru.” Across the city, the mood was unified: solemn, celebratory, sincere.

The evening of June 27 marked the spiritual core of the celebration with the Nadaprabhuge Deepa Namana—an ethereal tribute where 516 traditional oil lamps were lit around the Kempegowda Samadhi to honour his 516th birth anniversary. The setup was breathtaking: rows of lamps arranged in mandala patterns, deepas outlining the pathways, a central Deepa Stambha waiting to be lit. The event drew hundreds of attendees who came with family, elders, and friends. As cultural music played softly in the background, participants were invited to write short personal dedications on pledge cards titled “This Lamp Is For…”. Some wrote about hope, some for their city, some in memory of ancestors, and some simply for light in their lives.

Chilume Ravikumar lit the central lamp and addressed the gathering, not with political rhetoric, but with a call for introspection. “Bengaluru’s strength lies not just in its IT corridors or Metro lines, but in its people—their values, their discipline, their commitment to heritage. That’s what Kempegowda gave us. That’s what we must protect.” The evening concluded with Kannada poetry recitations, a group chant of “Namma Kempegowda, Namma Hemme,” and the distribution of traditional home lamps to all attendees, encouraging them to carry the spirit of the celebration back into their homes.

But the most visually striking and emotionally powerful moment came later that same night, on Avenue Road, the historical starting point of Bengaluru. Here, Ravikumar’s team had prepared a symbolic reenactment of Kempegowda’s founding of the city. The street was transformed into a living narrative: 64 volunteers stood holding placards to represent the original Pete layout, a bullock cart rolled through as a nod to the ancient land surveys, and four flags were hoisted to signify the construction of the city’s four iconic Gopuras.

Amidst the crowd, Chilume Ravikumar performed a traditional Bhoomi Pooja, recreating the spiritual essence of Kempegowda’s vision. The moment felt as if history had returned to its roots. Drone cameras captured the bird’s-eye view while folk performers played drums and flutes on the ground. Spectators—young and old—stood in awe, witnessing not a show, but a shared act of remembrance. In that moment, the past and present felt woven together.

This entire initiative—free of commercial banners, celebrity appearances, or political pageantry—has made one thing clear: Chilume Ravikumar is not just building events, he’s building a movement. Through his efforts, Kempegowda Jayanthi has evolved from a government calendar event into a civic celebration owned by the people of Bengaluru. His leadership reflects a rare blend of humility and strategy, heritage and innovation. He doesn’t just speak of development—he demonstrates how development can coexist with deep cultural identity.

Ravikumar’s future in Karnataka’s public life seems increasingly inevitable. As a Yuva Nayaka, he already commands attention across communities for his grounded approach, ability to mobilize youth, and authenticity. But it is his willingness to break the mould—to honour legacy through participation instead of protocol—that sets him apart. In the coming years, as Bengaluru grows more complex and diverse, leaders like him who understand both the soil and the soul of the city will shape its direction.

The 516th Kempegowda Jayanthi, under the leadership of Chilume Ravikumar, was more than a tribute. It was a reminder that true remembrance lies not in routines, but in relevance. By bringing the founder of Bengaluru back into the heart of the people, Ravikumar hasn’t just revived a memory—he has ignited a movement.

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