INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF BASAVESHWARA

Abstract

Basaveshwara (also known as Basavanna or Basava, 1134–1196 CE), a 12th-century philosopher-poet, social reformer, and founder of Lingayatism, revolutionized South Indian society through his Vachanas (free-verse compositions) and the establishment of the Anubhava Mantapa, an egalitarian forum for discourse. This paper examines interdisciplinary approaches to Basaveshwara studies, synthesizing insights from historical contextualization, philosophical analysis of devotion and ethics, sociological critiques of caste and gender hierarchies, literary innovations in vernacular Kannada poetry, managerial interpretations of "Kayaka" (dignified labor) and "Dasoha" (sharing), and emerging applications in education, law, and social work. Drawing on recent scholarship (2020–2025), the study highlights the timeless relevance of his principles—equality, compassion, and honest work—in addressing modern challenges such as social injustice, ethical leadership, and inclusive governance. Through a qualitative hermeneutic and comparative methodology, the paper argues that interdisciplinary lenses reveal Basaveshwara not merely as a historical figure but as a foundational thinker for contemporary egalitarian frameworks.