This story is from January 29, 2022

Documentary showcases freedom fighters of Haveri

Documentary showcases freedom fighters of Haveri
One of the highlights of the documentary is this rare photograph of Subhash Chandra Bose in Haveri
Hubballi: Goolappa Aralikatti, a documentary film maker has made ‘Haveri Veerara Swatantrya Sangrama’, a documentary on freedom fighters of Haveri district. He started screening his film in schools and colleges from October 2 last year and his initiative will continue till August 15.
Aralikatti told TOI that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed youngsters in his ‘Mann ki baath’, on March 28, 2021, to introduce freedom fighters of their area to mark Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav.

“Modi’s appeal motivated me to think about freedom fighters of our district. I started to study about freedom fighters of Haveri district and got to know that they were in contact with national leaders like Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose and others,” he said.
“Mailara Mahadeva was the only one from Karnataka among 75 freedom fighters chosen by Gandhi to take part in the Dandi March in 1930. When Bose attracted youngsters for his Forward Block party, Hosamani Siddappa of Haveri was the first president and KF Patil from Ranebennur was the first secretary for its Karnataka unit. Because of their efforts, Bose visited Byadagi on July 13, 1939,” he said.
“Haveri has contributed over 500 freedom fighters. Sangur Kariyappa was the leader for Hirekerur, Mailara Mahadeva was for Hosaritti, Gudleppa Hallikeri and Hosamani Siddappa were from Haveri. Many of them were rich and sacrificed their prosperity for the freedom struggle. Revanappa Mannangi, who was renamed as Ramanand by Gandhi at Vardha Ashram in Maharashtra was married to Veeramma, a Dalit girl, as suggested by Gandhi himself.” he added.

Aralikatti said he approached the district administration and some organisations for funds for the documentary but did not get due to technical reasons. “I spent Rs 2.5 lakh for the-30-minute documentary which has details of about freedom 300 fighters. We could get video bytes of freedom fighter Nagesh Kulkarni, who passed away recently, and from Mallappa Koppad, who is still active in Hire Anaji village. The district administration has permitted me to screen the documentary and we have already screened it at 35 schools and colleges. We are also getting invitations from mutts-temples, banks and other organisations,” he said.
Mallappa Koppad said, “I am happy that our next generation is showing respect to us. It’s a need in today’s era.”
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