Daasavani

Bhakthi and Music

Devotion/ Bhakthi has always been expressed through music. A unique feature of the divine musicians of Karnataka, called Hari Daasas, is their contribution to music, and literature or “Daasa Sahitya”. As the name implies, the Haridaasas sang and wrote mainly about the glories of Hari. They contributed to the Bhakthi tradition in Karnataka by singing and writing about the ten avataaras of Vishnu, the exploits of Krishna, the glory of the three avataaras of Vayu devaru and occasionally composed songs dedicated to those lower in the taaratamya but always bringing in the concept of Hari Bhakthi. Almost all compositions were spontaneous. Yet the songs are perfect in their ‘chandassu’, ‘alankaaras’ etc. (metre, figures of speech, etc.) This excellence of composition is attributed to the divinity of the Hari Daasas. Each one of them is considered to be a reincarnation of a divine being.

Daasaru and their ankithas

Each daasa had a signature, called ankitha, which is found in the last line of the song. The ankitha was used to identify the composer and at the same time dedicate the song to the Lord. Most will be familiar with Purandara Daasa’s songs ending with “purandara vittala”. A brief list of musicians* and their ankithas are given in the table here.

*Sripadarajaru, Vyaasa Tirtharu and Vaadirajaru were saints who received royal patronage and were not wandering musicians.

Carnatic music

The music of Haridaasas heralded a unique category of music called “devaranaamas”, in Carnatic style. Some songs have in recent years been rendered in Hindustani style by musical stalwarts of Karnataka. Although there are many categories of music compositions, the main ones are; padagalu (devarnaama), krithigalu, ugabhoga and suLadi.

Purandara Daasa

Purandara Daasa is the most well-known among the daasas. He is believed to be sage Narada, reborn to popularise the “Narada Bhakthi Sutras”. These sutras contain 84 short and brief formulae (sutras) which expound Hari Bhakthi. For a brief idea you may visit http://hinduonline.co/Scriptures/NaradaBhaktiSutra.html

Purandara Daasa is called “The Father of Carnatic Music”. The structure and lessons he formulated four centuries ago remain the foundation for all students of Carnatic music even today.

The Daasa and his Guru

In an unlikely role reversal, Vyaasa Tirtha the guru of Purandara Daasa, has immortalised his disciple by composing a song in his praise…

“Dasarendare purandara dasarayya vasudeva krishnanna susi pujisuvantha ||pallavi||

Grasakillade pogi parara manegala pokku | dasanendu tulasi male dharisi | besarillade avara kadi balalisuta | kasu galisuva purusha haridasane || 1||

Dhambhakadi hari smarane, maadi janara munde |2| sambhramadi taanumba uta bayasi | ambujodbhavapitana aagamagalariyade | tamboori meetidava haridaasane || 2||

Yayi varava madi viprarige mrshtanna | priyadali tanondu kodada lobhi | maya samsaradalli mamate hecchagittu | gayanava madalava haridasan || 3||

Nitiyellava maretu nigamavedyana nitya | vatasutanallihana varnisutali gita nartanadinda krishnanna pujisuva | putatma Purandara dasarivarayya ! ||4||

You can listen to the song on youtube: