We miss you Appaji
Channa Basava Devaru
1946
2004
ನಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ಅಪ್ಪಾಜಿ
ಚನ್ನ ಬಸವ ದೇವರು
Channa Basava Devaru (18 Aug 1946 – 15 Mar 2004) was born in Bangalore to G. R. Basmanga Devaru and Susheela Devi. C.B. Devaru led a simple life based on principles of Basvanna. He was known as “Chennu” for his family members and friends. "Appaji" for his sons. Chennu means nice in Kannada, true to his name he devoted his life to help the poor and the needy and was the nicest gentleman.
C.B.Devaru was a professional banker with State Bank of Mysore. Prior to joining State Bank of Mysore, C.B.Devaru served as a principal of a school and as a mathematics teacher. He served in various roles during banking career starting with as field officer. He served as a bank officier in various cities including Bangalore, Bellari, Malai Mahedeshwar, Madhugiri, Hosadurga and retired in 2001.
At beginning of his banking career, he had a serious head injury when learning to learn a motorbike to fulfil his field officer duty. After this severe accident, he had sleep issues and had to regularly take sleeping medications. In spite of medication he used to frequently get up in the middle of the night. He started writing poems during these sleepless nights. His poems varied from devotional to highlighting social issues of his time. His poems were successfully published in various Kannada Magazines. He encouraged every member of the family to read Lord Basanna's Vachanas and understand Indian culture. During festivals, he encouraged family members by giving money or small gifts for learning and understanding a Vachana from Basavanna.
He was a devotee of Lord Basvanna and followed his preachings. He followed Lord Basavanna’s path to donate his earnings to poor and needy. He lived a very simple life and loved Khaadi, a garment prepared using traditional methods where 90% of the money goes to the weaver. He donated any extra money or resources that are beyond need. In one of his poems, he suggests how the world would have been a better place if everyone followed this simple principle.
C.B.Devaru didn’t donate money to anyone blindly, he used to identify the needy in his own way and then help them with everything he can. He used go through newspaper announcements from various people in need, send them a small amount and correspond with them regularly to ensure his money is well spent.
Portion of his savings went to encourage and help artists. He loved art and he felt very bad on how people treated artists. There were lot of artists who were good but didn’t get the recognition or money to lead a normal life. He used to identify these artists help them by either promoting them or through money. He encouraged his sons to see Kannada movies/drama in theatre once a week to support the Kannada movie Industry. This was his way of promoting art and culture while encouraging artists and making a small contribution to their efforts.
C.B.Devaru was a very open minded person and understood various religious beliefs. As mentioned in one of his poems, we all worship the same god but in various forms. He had great ideas to spend his retirement time helping the needy and poor. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in Feb 2003 and passed away on 15 March 2004. By following his principles, his sons are fulfilling his dreams.
"God wants good people more than we do".
Read his poems/vachanas on various topic including politics, spirtual, society, relatives and friends.
