Dr. Vadiraja Bhat - A scholar teacher who chose the path of Spiritualism

By Dr Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 09 May 2010: Dressed in spotless white kurta and dhoti, Dr. Vadiraja Bhat appeared to be a person very close to God and nature when I met him at the residence of Mr. William D’Sa (Willie Master) who had invited him for a speech on ‘Spiritualism in Daily Life’ at the Lions Seva Bhavan in Moodubelle in the month of October 2009. Earlier, when Willie Master had made a reference to Dr. Vadiraja Bhat as a great scholar and spiritualist, i had expressed a desire to meet this great person from Kanaradi in the neighbourhood Belle and know more about his achievements. On meeting Dr. Bhat, i was astonished at his simplicity, scholarship and great interest in spiritualism. His early life, pursuit of education, teaching profession, research work and quest for spiritualism makes an interesting reading.

Dr. Vadiraja Bhat was born on 2nd July 1951 at Kanaradi in Manipura Village. He was the second child among two sons and six daughters of Kanaradi Laxminarayan Bhat and Kamalamma. After primary education up to 5th standard at Marne, Vadiraja continued higher primary education at the Church Aided Higher Primary School and secondary education at St. Lawrence High School, Moodubelle. He passed SSLC examination in 1966 with first class and was the top scorer in that year. Vadiraja had great interest in writing and while in the high school, he had contributed various articles and stories to the high school magazine.

After SSLC, Vadiraja continued college education at the Poorna Prajna College, Udupi from Pre University Course up to graduation with Kannada as major along with History and Economics subjects. Vadiraja continued the pursuit of education and decided to study for MA in Kannada from the Mysore University which had the Post Graduate centre at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore where classes for MA were conducted. He secured 9th rank in the MA examinations held in 1973. He fondly recounts the inspiration and encouragement given to him for the study of Kannada by his teacher, M. Rajagopalachari, who was Kannada lecturer at the PPC College, Udupi and was known for his scholarship and affection towards the students.

Besides the Post Graduate degree in Kannada, Vadiraja Bhat also secured other degrees such as Sanskrit Bhashakovida from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai (1978) and Hindi Bhasha Praveena from Karnataka Mahila Hindi Seva Samiti (1985).

Soon after acquiring the Post Graduate degree in Kannada, Vadiraja Bhat joined as the lecturer of Kannada in Smt. Chennamma Junior College at Madapur in Kodagu for one year (1973-74). Thereafter, he moved to Shri Sharada College, Basrur where he rose to be the Head of the Department of Kannada and eventually became Principal in 2003.

As he was keen on doing research for his Ph.D. degree, Prof. Vadiraja realized that he would not be able to devote quality time for the administration, teaching and research work. Thus, he voluntarily gave up the post of the Principal of the College and concentrated on teaching and doing research for the Ph.D. degree.

Prof. Vadiraja Bhat conducted research under the guidance of Dr. M. Ramachandra and was awarded Ph.D. degree by the Mangalore University on 9th march 2009, for his thesis titled “Dvaita Vedanta and Prajapitha Brahma Kumari Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya-A Comparative Study”. Other than academic degrees, Dr. Vadiraja Bhat has undergone Moral and Spiritual training, National Adult Education Programme and National Service Scheme (NSS) Officers training. He was also a Member of the Examination Board of Mangalore University (1996-99), Member of the Board of Studies in Kannada (2000-03) and Editor of the Text Book Committee in Kannada (2002- 03).

Dr. Vadiraja Bhat has done research in Kannada and Tulu literature and folklore and has written extensively on Tulu folklore. His books include Pad-dhanagalu, Jokle Padaklu, Devadasiyara Hadugalu, Jeevan Pad-dhana, Tulu Janapada Kathegalu, Mookajji, Mookajjiya Kathegalu, etc. Some of the books edited by Dr. Vadiraja Bhat include: Yaksha Deepika, Basrur Ondu Adhyayana, There, Hasanmukhi, Kadhike, Banada Siri, Kundgannada Janapada Kathegalu, etc. More than 100 research articles of Dr. Vadiraja Bhat have been published in different reputed periodicals and journals. He has given more than 50 programmes on Akashvaani on various topics. His programmes and interviews have been telecast on different Television Channels such as DD Chandana, Namma TV and U Channel Udupi.

Besides teaching profession and research work, Dr. Vadiraja Bhat had held important positions in different cultural organizations. He was the Secretary of Kundapura Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat; Founder Secretary of Sri Dasa Yakshagana Vidyanilyaya, Marvante, Kundapura; Life Member of Rajayoga Education Trust, Mount Abu; Honourable President of Satyajnana Balakendra, Marne; Vice President of Kannada Sangha, Kundapura; etc.

The important conferences attended by Dr. Vadiraja Bhat include: All India Conference of Dravidian linguists in the university of Calicut in 1979; National Seminar on the Ritualistic Theatre of Coastal Karnataka at R.R.C. Udupi in 1986; and International peace conference at Mount Abu in 1988.

Dr. Vadiraja Bhat had keen interest in the folk theatre of the Tulunadu known as the Yakshagana. He has acted in some of the Yakshagana plays. His memorable roles include Ratnavati, a female character in the ‘Ratnavati Kalyana’, Drona in ‘Ekalavya Prasanga’ and Sanjaya in ‘Gadhayuddha’.

It is quite interesting to note that with his teaching profession, scholarship and varied interest in research, folk literature and folk theatre, Dr. Vadiraja Bhat chose to remain single and follow a life of celibacy and spiritualism. This was chiefly due to the influence of and his involvement in the Ishwariya Brahma Kumari Movement. It was at the height of his career in 1980, at the age of 31, Dr. Vadiraja Bhat took this momentous decision to devote himself in the quest of spiritualism. The inspiration came from two of his sisters who had earlier had joined the Ishwariya Brahma Kumari Movement.

His pursuit of spiritualism has led Dr. Vadiraja Bhat to undertake yoga and meditation. He is also involved in spreading the concept of human values through lectures and workshops. Presently he is writing a book on Human Values. After his retirement in 2011, Dr. Vadiraja Bhat has a desire to involve himself fully in spiritualism and value education. He had been a resource person in human values, value education and cultural training for high school and higher primary school teachers since 1990 in Tapovana, Yellapura in Karnataka and Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya at Mount Abu, Rajasthan.

Dr. Vadiraja Bhat expressed the secret of his happiness and contentment in the fact that he feels happy when others are happy. He had been helping a number of poor students irrespective of their caste or religion. After having a meaningful interaction with Dr. Vadiraja Bhat, i felt a great sense of happiness on meeting and having conversation with one of the greatest personalities of Kanaradi-Belle, who had made a mark not only in the field of education and literature but also in folk culture and above all in spiritualism and human values.