Saint Purandara Dasa was an adherent of Madhwacharya's Dwaitha philosophy and a Haridasa philosopher from modern-day Karnataka, India. He was a vocalist, composer, and one of the key architects of Carnatic music (Karnataka classical music). He is frequently referred to as the Pitamaha of Carnatic music in recognition of his enormous contributions to the genre. He is regarded as the Saint Narada's manifestation, according to a tradition.
Purandara Dasa was a wealthy gold, silver, and other jewellery trader from Karnataka who abandoned all of his possessions to become a Haridasa (literally, a servant of Lord Hari or Lord Krishna), a devotional singer who translated the complex Bhagavata Purana tenets into straightforward, lyrical songs for the benefit of all listeners. He was a significant figure in mediaeval Indian music scholarship. By organising graded exercises known as Svaravalis and Alankaras, he developed the fundamental principles of teaching Carnatic music. At the same time, he introduced the raga Mayamalavagowla as the first scale to be learned by beginners in the field—a technique that is still used today. He also wrote Gitas, or easy songs, for beginners.
Purandara Dasa is renowned as a vocalist in the Bhakti movement, a music expert, and the author of Dasa Sahithya. His less experienced contemporary, Kanakadasa, adopted his method. Most of Purandara Dasa's compositions for Carnatic music are in Kannada, but some are also in Sanskrit. Vittala is another name for Lord Krishna, one of the incarnations of the Lord Vishnu, and this same form of Lord Krishna is his aaradhya daiva or ishta murthi or worshipped god. He signed his compositions with this ankitanama (pen name), "Purandara Vittala." Many academics of his time and later scholars valued his work.
His Early Days and Childhood
In 1494, Purandaradasa was born in Kshemapura in the Shimoga District of Karnataka (there are varying accounts of his birthplace). He was the child of Leelavathi and Varadappa Nayaka. Wealthy trader Varadappa Nayaka (Purandara Dasa's father) and his wife gave their kid the name Srinivasa Nayaka (Purandara Dasa's real name). The young man had a solid education as he grew up and was an expert musician as well as in Kannada and Sanskrit.
Srinivasa Nayaka was initially not inclined to the spiritual path. He kept up the family business and expanded it greatly. He was a miser who would not give a cent to anyone. He was known as "Navakoti Narayana," a man of great fortune.
Transformation from Nayaka to Dasa
It is believed that Lord Vittala went to Srinivasa Nayaka's store pretending to be a beggar Brahmin who needed some alms to conduct his son's thread ceremony. Being stingy, Srinivasa Nayaka requested the Brahmin to return the following day but continued to receive him for an additional six months. He finally gave the Brahmin a false coin that he used to play with after growing weary of his persistence. The Lord then returned to his home and related the sad tale to Lakshmi of how a miserly pawnbroker forced him to visit his store every day for six months before finally handing him a phoney coin.
Laxmi gave the Brahmin her nose ring as alms because she was overcome with emotion (a gift from her parents and thus not something that she got from her husband). The Brahmin quickly returned to Srinivasa Nayaka's store with the intention of pawning the nose ring for cash. However, the pawnbroker recognised it, so he ran home after locking it up in his safe. He instantly requested that Lakshmi show him her nose ring. Lakshmi tried to ingest poison after locking herself in the kitchen out of terror. She miraculously produced the nose ring for her spouse after it miraculously fell from the sky into her cup of poison.
When he got back to his store, he opened the safe only to discover that the nose ring had disappeared. Srinivasa Nayaka made the decision to give up all of his earthly possessions and become a dasa after being amazed and embarrassed of himself (servant). As a result, Purandara Dasa became Srinivasa Nayaka. He would subsequently write a song in appreciation of this occurrence and dedicate it to his wife for guiding him toward God.
The Father of Carnatic Music
Since Purandara Dasa formalised the music system, which was a synthesis of diverse South Indian traditions and the musical science outlined in the Vedas, he is regarded as the founder of Carnatic music. He came up with a system for grading lessons on how to learn Carnatic music.
84 ragas were recognised by Purandara Dasa. Each of his lyrics is an exquisite musical piece. His works influenced a wide range of musical genres, including Kritis, Keertans, Padams, and even other obscure styles. He had a significant impact on Carnatic music. He had a big impact on Sri Thyagaraja, who paid him respect in his Prahalada Bhakti Vijayam.
According to legend, Purandara Dasa lived to be 80 years old. He influenced people's hearts with devotion by using the all-pervasive magic of music and the medium of colloquial language.
Purandara Dasa’s Compositions
According to legend, Purandara Dasa wrote about 475,000 Kannada and Sanskrit songs. There are currently only 1000 available. The songs of Purandara Dasa reveal his devotion to Lord Narayana, particularly Sri Krishna. He sings about a range of experiences in Sri Krishna's life. He also satirises all the numerous pretensions and vices that are prevalent in society in several of these songs.
He mocks the fake Bhaktas who display all the outer characteristics of Bhakthi but lack genuine kindness or dedication. Many musicians and poets in Karnataka have been inspired by his entrancingly gorgeous tunes.
