Karnataka Sahitya Academy to honor 59 freedom fighters from Karnataka,jailed in notorious Cellular Jail during 1857 rebellion. Academy's president L.N. Mukundraj stressed importance of keeping their names alive in India's independence history . “We don’t want their names erased from chronicles of India’s freedom struggle,” he said .
Academy set up committee of academicians,researchers to document these lives. Result: a book titled Yaaroo Ariyada Veeraru. Mukundraj noted initiative was in State Budget 2026-27 by former chief minister Siddaramaiah.
Writers K.P. Suresh and Vijay Poonacha head committee. 15 members in total — eight on document collection, seven on field research. Focus areas: former Bombay Presidency, especially Dharwad district, where many records might be found.
“Majority hailed from Nargund town in Gadag district,” Mukundraj explained . Suresh noted southern Indians’ contributions often overlooked. “These 59 incarcerated in Cellular Jail mostly from north Karnataka, Uttara Kannada district,” he added.
Freedom fighters include Balakrishna from Bidar, Gopal Bhandari from Karwar, Faras Khan, Bikaji Ganesh Gokhale,Vitu Gawli from Nargund, Abdulla Moiuddin from same town. Many were part of Halagali Bedas rebellion in 1857-58,from village of Halagali near Mudhol .
Writer Latha Guthi previously explored theme in her book, Kari Neeru. Suresh said committee plans to send teams across Karnataka to learn more. They’ll also put up banners in villages linked to these individuals,urging locals to share any info or documents.
Effort not just about documenting lives. It's about ensuring their sacrifices are recognized in India's independence story…
