Karnataka marked the 517th birth anniversary of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda on Saturday with celebrations across the state, as Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced a drive to plant 15 lakh saplings across Bengaluru, while BJP leaders highlighted the city founder's enduring legacy and credited the previous BJP government for key initiatives honouring him.
Chief Minister Shivakumar led the Kempegowda Jayanti celebrations by paying floral tributes to the 108-foot 'Statue of Prosperity' near Bengaluru International Airport. Adichunchanagiri Seer Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji, Nanjavadhuta Swamiji of Spatikapuri in Sira taluk and Vishwa Vokkaligara Mutt Seer Nischalanandanatha Mahaswamiji were present on the occasion. The Chief Minister later visited the adjoining theme park.
Extending Kempegowda Jayanti greetings to the people of the state, Shivakumar said the programmes had been designed around Kempegowda's vision, values and administrative principles.
"Along with the tree plantation drive, we have organised a marathon and taken up a comprehensive development project for Kempegowda Fort at Magadi at a cost of Rs 100 crore," he said.
The Chief Minister said the government has initiated the process of acquiring 10 acres around Kempegowda's memorial at Magadi and has already purchased five-and-a-half acres.
He also said the Airport Authority has been directed to prepare a plan to introduce visitors arriving in Bengaluru to Kempegowda's legacy by creating suitable facilities near the trumpet interchange leading to the airport.
"We want everyone coming to Bengaluru to know about the founder of the city. The Airport Authority has been asked to prepare a detailed plan and submit it to the government," he said.
Shivakumar recalled that the government had earlier allotted five acres near Sumanahalli for the construction of Kempegowda Bhavan and had also proposed establishing a Town Planning College in Kempegowda's name.
While appreciating the previous BJP government for constructing the iconic 108-foot statue, he said it was not clearly visible to travellers heading to the airport. Following discussions with seers and Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, the Airport Authority has been asked to improve its visibility.
He added that the greenery around the statue had been significantly enhanced compared to last year and announced that the completed theme park would be inaugurated shortly. The Airport Authority will maintain the park.
Announcing another initiative, Shivakumar said Kempegowda Jayanti would no longer be confined to Vidhana Soudha but would be celebrated in all 28 Assembly constituencies of Bengaluru over the next 28 years. Directions have also been issued to observe the occasion in every Assembly constituency and at the ward level across Karnataka.
Highlighting Bengaluru's rapid growth, Shivakumar said the city now has a population of nearly 1.40 crore and around 1.30 crore registered vehicles. He added that the government aims to provide Metro connectivity to the airport within a year and expand Bengaluru's Metro network to nearly 500 km over the next two years.
Describing Kempegowda as a leader whose legacy belongs to all communities, Shivakumar said the celebrations were intended to promote the founder's vision, governance model and commitment to Bengaluru's holistic development.
Meanwhile, BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra said Kempegowda's unmatched vision had transformed Bengaluru into a globally recognised city.
Speaking at the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Jayanti celebrations organised by the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Pratishthana at Kempegowda Border Tower Park in Sadashivanagar, Vijayendra said it was a matter of pride that Kempegowda's contributions had made Bengaluru famous not only across India but internationally.
He said the continued celebration of Kempegowda's birth anniversary even 517 years after his birth reflected the enormous contribution he had made to Bengaluru and Karnataka.
Vijayendra recalled that during former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa's tenure, the BJP government sanctioned Rs 50 crore to establish a Kempegowda Study Centre to ensure that his legacy gained global recognition.
He said the Yediyurappa government also funded the construction of Kempegowda's statue and directed the development of the adjoining theme park.
Vijayendra further stated that it was Yediyurappa who decided to name Bengaluru International Airport after Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, calling it the most fitting tribute to the city's founder.
Former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan echoed the sentiment, saying Kempegowda's ideals would continue to inspire future generations.
He credited the BJP government for naming the airport after Kempegowda and approving the construction of the 108-foot Statue of Prosperity during Yediyurappa's second tenure as Chief Minister.
Ashwath Narayan said the government sanctioned Rs 65 crore for the statue, Rs 20 crore for the theme park and Rs 10 crore for land acquisition around Kempegowda's memorial. He added that funds were also released to establish the Kempegowda Study Centre at Bengaluru University.
He also recalled that soil was collected from villages across Karnataka for the statue project, describing it as a visionary initiative undertaken under Yediyurappa's leadership.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy also paid tribute to Kempegowda on social media platform X.
"I pay my respectful tributes with deep reverence and pride to Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda, the visionary founder of the world-renowned city of Bengaluru and an able administrator," he wrote.
Extending Kempegowda Jayanti greetings, Kumaraswamy said the seed of development sown by Kempegowda more than five centuries ago had today grown into a mighty tree. He said Kempegowda's vision in agriculture, irrigation, trade, urban planning and holistic development continues to inspire generations.
Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai also greeted the people of Karnataka on the occasion and said Kempegowda's vision of governance and development should continue to inspire the state.
Nadaprabhu Kempegowda I (c. 1513–1569), a 16th-century chieftain of the Vijayanagara Empire, is widely regarded as the founder of modern Bengaluru. He established the city in 1537 by building a mud fort and developing planned markets, residential areas, lakes and temples. He is also credited with introducing systematic urban planning, constructing an extensive network of lakes for water conservation and erecting the city's famous four watchtowers, laying the foundation for Bengaluru's future growth.
