Notably, the only group content with retaining the name ‘Mysore’ for the unified state was the “royalists” in Mysore. In 1957, Andanappa Doddameti, a legislator from Ron, proposed a resolution for renaming the state as Karnataka.
Interestingly, many Congress legislators openly declared their intent to vote against this proposal.
Socialist leader Gopala Gowda went even further by affirming that his socialist legislators would ensure the passage of the resolution, even in the face of opposition from Congress members. Unfortunately, the resolution didn’t succeed, and Andanappa encountered another setback when he reintroduced a similar resolution in 1966.
Beyond the realm of politics, Bangalore had emerged as the epicentre of the Kannada movement by the early 1960s. Numerous factors played a significant role in this development, including the presence of influential leaders in the Kannada Chaluvali (movement) such as Konanduru Lingappa, Aa Na Krishna Rao, Ma Ramamurthy, and Nadiger Krishna Rao. Notably, Aa Na Krishna Rao, during his presidential address at the 1960 Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, provided the much-needed inspiration for the organization of Kannada youth
Interestingly, the first ‘Karnataka Rajyotsava’ celebration occurred on November 1, 1963 – a decade prior to the official renaming of the state as Karnataka. This historic event was organized by Samyukta Rangaled by Aa Na Krishna Rao and Ma Ramamurthy, and it unfolded at the Dharmambudhi lakebed. With an astonishing attendance of over one lakh, this celebration marked a pivotal moment in associating Kannada Chaluvali with the identity of Karnataka.
stoking the movement
Several factors and events further fuelled the Kannada movement during this period. The Mahajan Commission Report of 1967 and the emergence of the Shiv Sena, which took an anti-South Indian stance around the same time, provided momentum to the movement.
A series of non-political developments helped in galvanizing the masses to join the movement. Among these, protests against the Tamil film ‘Kanchi Thalaivan’ in 1963, which depicted a Pallava king disrespecting the flag of the Chalukya king Immadi Pulikeshi, incensed Kannadigas.
In the legislature, the non-Mysorean lawmakers formed a majority, paving the way for momentum in favour of change. Notable transitions in neighbouring states added to this impetus – in 1960, the Bombay State was bifurcated into Maharashtra and Gujarat, and in 1969, the Madras State was renamed Tamil Nadu.
Chief minister D Devaraj Urs, who had opposed the name change in 1956, exhibited remarkable statesmanship by building a consensus in the legislature. In his capacity as chief minister, he proposed the resolution in the assembly on July 27, 1973. It received unanimous support in the legislative council as well. Subsequently, Parliament passed the Mysore State (Alteration of Name) Act on August 21, 1973, and it officially came into effect on November 1, 1973.
The renaming celebrations were held at two significant locations – Kanteerava Stadium in the capital Bangalore and Hampi, capital of the historical Vijayanagara Empire.
