Shri Akhila Havyaka Mahasabha (R)

The growth and prosperity of the community depend on strong organization in social, religious, cultural, political, and educational matters. The Havyaka Mahasabha was founded with the purpose of uniting people who had dispersed from their original roots and settled in different places. It was established with the aim of bringing them back to their origins and fostering unity.

On 8th November 1942, under the presidency of Shri Noojibailu Shankar Bhat, 24 distinguished Havyakas gathered in Bengaluru to establish the Havyaka Brahmin Mahasabha. The organization proudly claims to be founded even before India gained independence. On 29th March 1943, the organization was officially registered under the Mysore Society Act, with registration number 395. The main objectives of the Mahasabha were Havyaka unity, financial assistance to deserving students, establishment of student hostels, and overall welfare of the community.

The first president of the Mahasabha was Shri Mena Ramakrishna Bhat from Kasaragod, and the first general secretary was Shri Makki Ramayya. Several individuals played key roles in the development of the Mahasabha, including Shri Noojibailu Shankar Bhat, Dr. K.S. Ganapayya, Dr. Dodderi Venkatagiri Rao, Shri H. Ananta Shastri, Shri Pandeshwara Subbarao, Mrs. S.G. Kashyapi, Dr. R.M. Hegde, and Shri U. Narayana Joshi, among others.

The first meeting of the Mahasabha was held at Polepalli Subbayya Shettar Choultry in Arale Pete, Bengaluru. In the same month, the Mahasabha registered and opened a bank account under the name “Havyaka Mahasabha” at the Indian Bank. Subsequently, meetings were held on the last Sunday of every month, with a monthly membership fee of two annas. After about a year, the first annual conference was held in Chikkamagaluru under the presidency of J.R. Yaji. The second annual conference was held in Sagar, presided over by the renowned lawyer Shri T.S. Venkappa, and it gained regional importance. During this time, Shri Mena Ramakrishna Bhat served as president, Shri Pandeshwara Subbarao as general secretary, and Shri Makki Ramayya as vice president.

On 15th November 1942, a meeting of the executive committee was held at the residence of Dr. K.S. Ganapayya, where the objectives, rules, and other plans of the Mahasabha were discussed in detail. This meeting resulted in visionary decisions that paved the way for all-around development. A crucial decision was made that the headquarters of the Mahasabha would be in Bengaluru, and its jurisdiction would cover all regions where the Havyaka community resides. Until then, only those in Bengaluru had been members, and the membership was restricted to that area. The office-bearers and members worked selflessly to expand membership in North Kannada, South Kannada, Shimoga, and other regions. After the unification of Karnataka in 1956, the number of Havyakas in Bengaluru began to increase, leading to a significant rise in the annual membership numbers. This, in turn, allowed the Mahasabha to conduct many more programs due to improved financial resources. In 1962, Shri A. Bhima Bhat became president, Shri K.I. Bhat was appointed vice president, and Shri K.V. Hegde Kanugodu became the secretary.

Despite the growth, the Mahasabha did not yet have its own office. The secretary’s house was used as the office. Initially, Shri K.R. Ramakrishnayya and Shri S.G. Keshavamurthy handled the Mahasabha’s accounts and audit for several years. From 1964 onwards, Shri B.K. Ramadhyani and his company volunteered to conduct the audit without expecting any compensation.

Steps Toward Progress:
The Mahasabha continued to face financial and social challenges but never wavered in its commitment. Problems are a sign of an institution’s vitality—an institution without challenges is no longer alive. The Mahasabha managed to sustain its vitality and began making steady progress with each passing year.

Acquisition of Land:
In 1969, a suitable plot of land was purchased in Sadashiv Nagar for ₹ 29,500 to build a permanent building. In 1971, the blueprint for the building was prepared, but it soon became clear that the land purchased was too small for the Mahasabha’s plans. At that time, a plot in Malleshwaram (where the Havyaka Mahasabha is located today) became available for sale or exchange. After the exchange and an additional payment of ₹ 5,000, a large plot measuring 130 x 76.1 feet was secured. A loan was taken, and the first two phases of construction were completed. A total of 14 rooms were built, providing accommodation for 28 students. A nominal charge of ₹ 6 per day was levied for guests to stay. On the newly acquired land, the building initially occupied only a 40 x 76 feet area, leaving the remaining 92 x 76 feet vacant. A few modifications to the building were made, and with an investment of ₹ 5 lakh, a Kalyana Mantapa (wedding hall) was constructed on the adjacent vacant plot. This brought in revenue, and the Mahasabha was able to take its first steps toward progress.

In 1971, under the leadership of Dr. N.K. Ganapayya, a significant amount of money was raised in the form of loans and donations for the Mahasabha. With his visionary leadership, generosity, and skillful guidance, the Mahasabha achieved a milestone in 1974 by constructing the Havyaka Bhavan. This gave the community a sense of pride, as they now had a place to call “our home,” which was a significant step toward overall development. In 1979, the organization changed its name from “Shri Brahmana Mahasabha” to “Shri Akhila Havyaka Mahasabha (R)” to represent the entire Havyaka community. It began functioning as a prestigious institution for the Havyaka society. After 32 years, the Mahasabha took pride in owning its own building.

On 25th May 1974, the Mahasabha celebrated its annual conference in its new building with grandeur. Following the renaming and reorganization, regional significance was given, and an executive board was formed to represent all areas where the Havyaka community resided.

Expanding Plans:
Over the course of about forty years, the original building, which had deteriorated, was demolished. In its place, a multi-story student dormitory was decided upon. The foundation stone for this new construction was laid in a religious ceremony on 20th February 2014 under the presidentship of Shri S G Hegde Karki.

Through the generous support of Havyaka community members, prominent figures, and public representatives, the financial resources required for this large-scale project were pooled together. The result is the beautifully organized and modern complex that stands today. This is a monumental contribution to the Havyaka community.

On 13th and 14th February 2016, religious ceremonies were held to inaugurate the new student dormitory complex. The grand opening took place on 21st February 2016. The ground floor houses a well-organized kitchen, a dining hall with a capacity for 200 people, a large auditorium capable of seating 500 people, a balcony, and a spacious stage. There are also multiple well-arranged rooms for events. The second floor houses the administrative office and two smaller meeting halls, while the third floor is dedicated to the student dormitories.