Doctor writes novel on 12th century Sharana from Afghanistan

HUBBALLI: Marula Shankara Devaru, one of the sharanas of Basavanna’s era in the 12th century, had migrated from Afghanistan to Kashmir. After listening about the social revolution in Karnataka, he moved to Basavakalyan, where he silently worked for 12 years.
His service was recognised by Basavanna and others when they came to know about his vachanas.He was renamed as 'Marula Shankara Devaru'. Now a general physician has written a novel based on the life of Devaru. Scholars note that the book focuses on myths incorporated in the Lingayat religion after the Sharana revolution.
Dr Dayanand I Nooli, general and laparoscopy surgeon in Chikodi, told TOI that he is much interested in ‘Shoonya Sampadane’ authored by Allamaprabhu and read Beldala Siddarameshwara Sharanaru’s ‘Shoonya Sampadaneya Rahasya’.
“As I went on reading books based on ‘Shoonya Sampadane’, I was haunted by Marula Shankara Devaru, one of Sharanas of the 12th century. I collected many reference books published by Basava Samiti in Bengaluru and other organisations. As I went on reading about his life, I learnt about Devaru’s life journey from Afghanistan to Basavakalyan via Peshawar, Kashmir. It was so interesting that I intended to write a novel on his life,” he said.
“Devaru’s original name is not yet ascertained. But it is learnt that he was born a Muslim and was follower of Sufi Saint Naisar in Afghanistan. Devaru worked as a volunteer in Anubhava Mantapa, which is recognised as the first parliament of the world. As there was a rule that only persons having a ‘Kayaka’ (work) could become a member of Anubhava Mantapa, Devaru was not accorded membership. So, he was involved in cleaning utensils and other works. The irony is it was Allamaprabhu who recognised Devaru’s secret devotion and not Basavanna. As his identity was revealed, he sacrificed his life immediately,” he added. Dr Nooli noted that there were many Sharanas from Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and they had learnt Kannada and wrote many vachanas.
Dr Ramakrishna Marathe, a researcher-writer, said the book introduced many forgotten Sharanas. “This 15-chapter book is a mature effort that showcases Sufism, Nath tradition and movements of the world,” he said.
“This book is an example for authenticity with historical and scientific facts when a doctor writes a novel on historical persons. Being a medical practitioner, Dr Nooli has utilised his medical discipline while writing this book. This is a good reference book for enthusiasts of Lingayatism,” opined Dr Tontada Siddharam Mahaswamiji, of Edeyur Sri Jagadguru Tontadarya Sansthan Math, Dambal , Gadag.