Folk Legend Malai Mahadheshwara – A Cultural Study

Abstract

Malai Mahadeshwara is south Karnataka’s most loved folk legend. It was during the Veerashaiva revolution of 12^th century-which sought to establish ‘truth’ ‘dharma’ ‘equality’ in the society, created the circumstances to make a legend like Mahadeshwara who took his rightful place as the people’s leader. He rose to the mantle through his own will and hard work. The critical events of his life have been documented as the folk epic “Malai Mahadeshwara’ passed on as folklore to every generation. This article is also derived from this folk epic. My aim is to educate the modern public about how casteism has propagated and affected our society throughout time and how this has led to revolutions creating many heroes whom to this day are worshiped. People still tell their stories, songs and follow customs, ideals of that era of heroes who broke the shackles of oppression and paved a way for liberation. This enabled people to live a life of dignity, equality in our society, equal opportunities to everyone. Because of the work of these legends, we are able to live today in peace, where everyone has an opportunity to rise up, where people have their own individual identity and are treated with respect. Today any person regardless of caste/religion/gender can rise to the highest rank in society or in organization, can set their own standards for life and make independent decisions. Through this article I want to highlight the contribution of one- Mahadeshwara who became a messiah of common people.