Netkallappa Circle
Circle Name: Netkallapa Circle named after Rao Saheb Netakallappa
Circle Location: Basavanagudi
Famous for/ Contributions to society:
Detailed
Description:
Rao Saheb Netkallappa, was a
contractor, grain merchant, banker, municipal councilor, legislator, philanthropist
and social worker. He was an astute businessman with a heart of pure gold. His
was a sort of grand modesty, heartfelt but extravagant; a merciless vivacity to
leave no stone unturned. He had a priceless gift to draw all people towards
him, was known as " Dodda Yejamanaru" to most of the people. His
elder brother, K N Guruswamy founded the Deccan Herald and the Prajavani group.
Born in Kanekal village of
Raidurg taluk in Bellary (then a part of undivided Madras presidency), young
Nettakallappa lost his father, Anjanappa, early. Mother Kadiramma and siblings,
notwithstanding, he dug a lone burrow.
Getting into liquor business, he steadily grew. Leveraging business and social
standing, he gave back to society more than he ever got. As Bellary municipal councilor
and District Board member, he supported a number of public and philanthropic
causes. He was honorary visitor to the Alipur Central Jail (now Bellary jail)
and honorary magistrate. He contributed generously towards construction of
marriage halls, hostels and temples. The hostel grounds in Bellary fetch
handsome returns even today.A 1920 record, saved by Mr. M R Venkataswamy speaks of the vision and the steadfastness of purpose of Netkallappa and his Idiga community peers, though all of them had minimal education. During the early 1900s having made a prominent mark in Bellary, Netkallapa decided to move on. The lure of business and courage infused by life's most enduring art of living brought him to Bangalore, A hub where trades, commerce and industrial activity grew rapidly. Barely 32 and energetic, Nettakallappa expanded his liquor business to Bombay province and Nizam’s dominion as well. He also diversified and started a grain ‘mandi’. To facilitate merchants, Nettakallappa started a bank exclusively for them. How did he manage so many businesses across three States? He relied on trusted lieutenants and God. Devout as he was, he celebrated Hindu festivals with aplomb. Brahmins were called home to ward off the evil effects of eclipses. But, his faith in serving humanity was greater. He made it a daily ritual to carry small pouches containing different sums of money, to work. When people approached him for help, he gave a quick hearing and dispensed sums according to the need -- larger purses for medical treatment and weddings, smaller sums for mundane challenges.
Rao Saheb's legacy lives on. His eldest son Guruswamy and
grandson K A Nettakallappa, among other contributions, gave the State the
popular Deccan Herald and Prajavani daily newspapers, with a quality and
character of their own.
To this day, the famous Nettakallappa Circle and the nearby bus shelter in Basavanagudi, erected in memory of Rao Saheb Nettakallappa, stand as modest reminders of the Grand Old Man of Kanekal, who provided deep pockets, not just for his many businesses, but for social causes as well.
To this day, the famous Nettakallappa Circle and the nearby bus shelter in Basavanagudi, erected in memory of Rao Saheb Nettakallappa, stand as modest reminders of the Grand Old Man of Kanekal, who provided deep pockets, not just for his many businesses, but for social causes as well.
Contributed by: Nikhil Harish
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