2nd Biennial Asia Pacific Basava Convention
Convention 2025: A Celebration of Unity, Growth and Living Values
The BSAPAC Convention 2025 was a landmark celebration of community, spirituality, service and the remarkable journey of Basava Samiti of Asia Pacific Ltd. What began as a gathering of like-minded people inspired by Guru Basava’s vision has grown into a vibrant, diverse and increasingly connected community reaching across chapters, cultures and geographies.
The Convention brought this journey together in one powerful celebration, reflecting not only how far BSAPAC has come, but also the strength of its vision for the future.
Beginning with Stillness: Istalinga Meditation
The Convention commenced with Istalinga meditation, providing a meaningful moment of stillness before the celebrations began. The morning session was anchored by Ms. Lakshmi and Ms. Anushree, who warmly welcomed all guests. Proceedings commenced with the Istalinga Meditation, a technique popularised by Guru Basava.
The session was presided over by Sri Shantamallikarjun Swamiji of BR Hills, Yalandur Taluk, Chamarajnagar District, and supported by Dr. Shraddhananda Swamiji from Sadalaga, Chikkodi Taluk. Breakfast was served to all participants following the meditation.
Rooted in the spiritual tradition associated with Guru Basava and the Sharanas, the meditation offered participants an opportunity to centre themselves, quieten the mind and turn their attention inward.
A Parade of Chapters: Celebrating a Growing Movement
One of the most spectacular moments of the Convention was the Chapters Parade, bringing together representatives from across the BSAPAC family.
Each chapter became a symbol of the charity’s expanding footprint and the growing number of people embracing its values. The parade transformed the Convention floor into a celebration of unity in diversity, with chapters proudly representing their communities and demonstrating that Guru Basava’s message continues to resonate across geographical and cultural boundaries. This was followed by the Chapter Parade, which showcased the eight Chapters of BSAPAC. Representatives displayed their banners and marched proudly through the convention hall. The participating Chapters included BSAPAC Board Members leading the procession followed by Adelaide (Australia), Brisbane (Australia), Cairns (Australia), Canberra (Australia), Melbourne (Australia), New Zealand, Sydney (Australia), and lastly the host chapter- Perth (Australia). It was a powerful visual reminder that when people come together around shared values, distance becomes no barrier to community.
Inauguration Ceremony
The inaugural function commenced with delegates receiving a warm welcome from the First Nations people, who invited everyone to their ancestral home and performed a traditional didgeridoo recital. The national anthems of both Australia and India were then performed by children, accompanied by live music on keyboard, flute, and violin. The invocation song, Basava Bhaktharu, was presented by Team Srimathiyaru, followed by a Bharatanatyam dance performance to Chandra Chooda Shiva by Ms. Shreeya H.M, who travelled from India especially for the occasion.
The inaugural proceedings continued with an address by Mr. Steve Hodgson, CEO of the Basava Samithi of Asia Pacific, who shared his thoughts on the significance of the Convention and the timeless relevance of Basava philosophy in contemporary society.
As part of the ceremony, Team Srimathiyaru performed the devotional song Basava Jyoti, setting an inspiring tone for the event. During this time, the inauguration cauldron, designed and built to depict the 12th-century ShatasthaLa, was ceremonially lit by Sri Shantamallikarjun Swamiji, Dr. Shraddhananda Swamiji, Dr Nagur, Executive members for BSAPAC and Perth Chapter. Shatsthala, the six-step spiritual journey, reflects a progressive path of self-awareness, devotion, service and spiritual realisation, beautifully aligned with BSAPAC’s guiding ethos to Engage, Educate, Empower and Enlighten by connecting individuals to purpose, nurturing knowledge, inspiring meaningful action and ultimately awakening a deeper sense of self and service. Special thanks were extended to Mr. Siddesh for his efforts in building the ShatasthaLa cauldron.
Following the lighting ceremony, Mr. Ashok Patil, President of the BSAPAC Perth Chapter, formally welcomed all guests, dignitaries and delegates to the 2nd Basava Asia Pacific Convention. His welcome address reflected the remarkable growth of BSAPAC and the spirit of unity that brought chapters and delegates together from across Australia and beyond. Dr. Nagur from India then addressed the gathering, offering valuable reflections on the relevance of Guru Basava’s teachings in contemporary society. Mr. Veeranna Sataraddi introduced Dr. Shraddhananda Swamiji, whose inspiring address resonated deeply with the audience and reinforced the importance of living the values of Basava in our daily lives. Together, these opening addresses set a thoughtful and inspiring tone for a Convention centred on philosophy, community, service and the continued growth of BSAPAC. The Premier of Western Australia Hon Roger Cook, delivered the video message regarding this exciting event.
Carrying the Legacy Forward: Biennial Report and Guru Basava Art Work Release
A particularly significant moment of Convention 2025 was the unveiling of the Pledge and Prudence of Guru Basava art work by Mrs. Vigya Chourishi Gudi which is an embodiment of the Guru Basava Philosophy on a page. Dr. Toni Buti, Dr. Jag Krishnan, along with other distinguished guests released the 2nd Asia Pacific Basava Convention Biennial Report. Our Biennial Convention Report captures the journey, achievements and milestones of BSAPAC over the preceding two years, showcasing the collective efforts of our chapters, volunteers, officers and community. It provides a transparent record of our growth, impact, governance, programmes and future direction, celebrating what has been achieved while setting the foundation for the next chapter of our journey. It also incorporates the Vachana Jeevana Articles of 2025.
The Convention was further honoured by the presence of distinguished guests and community leaders, including the Hon. Dr Tony Buti, the Hon. Dr Jags Krishnan MLA, Mr Deepak Sharma, President of ISWA. Mrs Girija Karekal, Executive Director of BSAPAC, announced two major milestones that marked this Convention as a significant moment in the charity’s continued expansion. The delegate presence added significance to the occasion and reflected the strong connections BSAPAC continues to build with government, community organisations and the wider Australian community.
The Convention was further honoured by the presence of distinguished guests and community leaders, including the Hon. Dr Tony Buti, the Hon. Dr Jags Krishnan MLA, Mr Deepak Sharma, President of ISWA. Mrs Girija Karekal, Executive Director of BSAPAC, announced major milestones that marked this Convention as a significant moment in the charity’s continued expansion. The delegate presence added significance to the occasion and reflected the strong connections BSAPAC continues to build with government, community organisations and the wider Australian community.
To brighten and enrich the day’s proceedings, a series of cultural programs were presented, each beautifully depicting the teachings and values of Basava philosophy.The performances included: A lively children’s dance performance by the Vachana Vaibhava team, showcasing the spirit of vachanas through expressive choreography and colorful costumes that captivated the audience, a graceful semi-classical dance presentation by Ms. Radhika Kulkarni, whose movements beautifully conveyed the devotion and poetic imagery of the vachanas. Sumukh and Prashant took over anchoring duties from Anu and Lakshmi as the program continued. The next segment featured vachana singing by Team Arive Guru, enriched with live accompaniment on violin and tabla, creating an immersive atmosphere that brought the verses to life, an elegant Bharatanatyam dance interpretation of vachanas by Ms. Chetana Chincholimath, blending precise classical technique with emotive storytelling to highlight Basava’s teachings. The cultural program concluded with a heartfelt tribute to Guru Basava’s enduring legacy by Team Druvatareyaru, honoring his timeless contributions to social reform and spiritual thought.
Honouring Excellence: The Awards Ceremony
This was followed by the presentation of the 2025 Jewel Awards and Sharana Satsevaka Awards, honouring individuals whose dedication, leadership and service have made a meaningful contribution to BSAPAC and its mission. The 2025 Vachana Jeevana Awards were also presented, recognising those who exemplified the values of Guru Basava through their lives and actions. The achievements of our Badminton Competition winners were celebrated as well, adding a spirit of sporting excellence to the occasion. Together, these recognitions celebrated the diverse contributions of our community, honouring excellence in service, values, leadership and achievement.
Voices of Wisdom: The Panel Discussion
The evening session began with a panel discussion moderated Treasurer K. K. Patil led an insightful session on adopting Guru Basava’s values in everyday life, engaging a distinguished panel comprising former Presidents, Founders, and international and interstate delegates. The discussion explored how Basava’s timeless principles can be translated into meaningful everyday actions, strengthening personal integrity, community service and collective responsibility.
An Evening of Inspiration: The Evening Programme
The evening programme was opened by Director Ravi Gudi, setting the stage for an engaging session on the organisation’s journey of growth and innovation. CTO Mr. Pramod Nagaraj then highlighted the charity’s technological advancements, showcasing how digital transformation and technology-enabled initiatives have strengthened operations, expanded outreach and supported the continued growth of BSAPAC.
Following the discussion, the evening cultural extravaganza, anchored by Sumukh and Prashant commenced with a series of vibrant performances – A Bharatanatyam dance presented by the Dhimita School of Dance, showcasing the grace and discipline of this classical art form, an endearing performance by young kids from the Mugdha Manasugalu team, presenting vachanas with innocence and enthusiasm, a skit depicting Basava’s principles of Dasoha (selfless service) and Kayaka (dignity of labor) by Team Puneeth Premigalu, highlighting the practical relevance of these values in daily life.
Mr Naresh Kumar, Acting Council General of India addressed the gathering in the evening about the contribution of Indian migrants to Australia.
Shobharani and her daughter Simran took over anchoring duties for the cultural programs, introducing an engaging line-up of performances: A Carnatic classical rendition of vachanas by Team Vachana Nadamruta, accompanied by live mrudunga, creating a soulful musical experience, a skit on Sharan Haralayya, written by Shri H.M. Paramashivaiah, a renowned theatre artist, legendary drama director, recipient of the Kempegowda Award from the Government of Karnataka, and a three-time Silver Crown Award winner. The skit depicted the life and teachings of Sharan Haralayya, illustrating his unwavering commitment to equality and social justice as a devoted follower of Guru Basava., a fancy dress skit by children, showcasing how the 12th-century sharanas composed vachanas that reflected an early understanding of science and rational thought, a Bharatanatyam dance performance on vachana by Sadhika Suvarna, blending classical technique with expressive storytelling, a lively folk dance by Shreeya H.M. The cultural program culminated with a performance by the Vachana Kalotsava team, featuring a rich sequence of Bharatanatyam, folk dances and semi-classical interwoven with narration highlighting the significance of each piece.
Celebrating the Journey: The Closing Ceremony
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Secretary Mr. Arunkumar JL, expressing gratitude to all delegates, volunteers, organisers, speakers and supporters whose collective efforts made the Convention 2025 a resounding success. The Convention Baton 2025 was then ceremonially handed back to the BSAPAC Board of Directors, symbolising the continuation of the Convention tradition and the passing of responsibility towards the next Convention in 2027. In keeping with Guru Basava’s principle of Daasoha, all delegates and participants were warmly served breakfast, lunch and dinner, making hospitality and sharing an integral part of the Convention experience. The gathering concluded with a strong sense of fellowship, gratitude and anticipation for the journey ahead.
