**Purandara Dasa (1484-1564)** 

Born: 1484, Karnataka

 Died: 1564, Hampi 

Full Name: Srinivasa Nayaka 

Sree Purandara Dasa (1484-1564 A.D.) is celebrated as a genius composer, whose contributions to the music world are immeasurable. Respected as the "Karnataka Sangeetha Pitamaha" in the realm of Carnatic music, he laid the foundation for the systematic study of this genre. In addition to elementary lessons such as *swaravalis* in *Mayamalava Gowla* and *geethas*, he composed *keerthanas*, *padas*, *ugabhoghas*, *sooladhis*, and more. His pen name is Purandara Vittala, and his compositions are imbued with devotion (Bhakti), philosophical insights, and social consciousness. The profound influence he had on Carnatic music is evident in the works of Sri Thyagaraja, who was greatly inspired by him and paid homage in his composition *Prahalada Bhakti Vijayam*. Although Purandara Dasa was born in 1484, the exact location of his birth remains debated. While it was once believed he was born in Purandaragad, Maharashtra, recent studies by a committee of researchers, musicians, and musicologists suggest he was born in Kshemapura, located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. Purandara Dasa was proficient in Kannada, Sanskrit, and music. He was very wealthy, managing a family business dealing in precious stones, and was known as “Navakoti Narayana” due to his abundant fortune. However, he was also a miser, caring for nothing except money. 

**Transformation to the Spiritual Path:** 

A heart-touching incident illustrates the transformation of Srinivasa Nayaka into Purandara Dasa. 

Purandara Dasa's wife was a devout woman and a great devotee of Lord Krishna. In contrast, Purandara Dasa was extremely miserly. One day, the Lord, disguised as an old Brahmin, approached him, seeking alms to perform the *upanayana* ceremony for his grandson. For six months, Purandara Dasa sent the Brahmin away empty-handed despite his persistence. Eventually, the old Brahmin visited Purandara Dasa's wife and implored her for assistance. Moved by compassion, she gave him her diamond nose-stud. The Brahmin later took the nose-stud to Purandara Dasa, pretending to be a *Sāvakar*. Upon recognizing the jewelry as belonging to his wife, Purandara Dasa took it to pledge and asked the Brahmin to wait. When he returned home, he asked his wife for her nose-stud, which frightened her to the point of contemplating suicide with poison. As she was about to drink it, an object fell into the bowl—it was her nose-stud, miraculously returned to her! She brought it to her husband, who, astonished, went back to the shop, only to find the nose-stud missing and the *Sāvakar* nowhere to be found. It was only then that he realized the divine plan at work. He shared everything that had transpired with his wife, and together they cried near the *Tulasi Vrindavana*, fasting for three days. Eventually, the Lord appeared to his wife, but Purandara Dasa could not see Him. The Lord explained that Purandara Dasa's attachment to material wealth had prevented Him from revealing Himself. Upon hearing this, Purandara Dasa renounced everything and walked toward Pandaripur with his wife, beginning anew. This pivotal incident transformed him from a wealthy miser to a spiritual seeker, instilling in him the understanding that the pursuit of wealth should not be the purpose of life. He then became the disciple of the great Saint Vyasaraja, who bestowed upon him the pen name Purandara Vittala.

 **As a Devotee of the Lord and His Compositions:** 

Following his renunciation, Purandara Dasa led a simple life. He began each day wearing an anklet, a *Tulasi Mala* around his neck, and carrying a *tambura*, singing beautiful songs in accessible language across various places. His influence on Carnatic music and Kannada literature is immense. He connected with the common people, using simple local language and the magic of music to spread awareness about the great epics, Vedas, and Upanishads while promoting social consciousness. Setting high values on good conduct, he practiced what he preached. Purandara Dasa composed numerous songs in praise of Lord Hari, utilizing simple metaphors to educate women and children through his *keerthanas* and *ugabhogas*. While it is said he composed around 475,000 songs in Kannada and Sanskrit, only a few have survived. He is regarded as the principal architect of Kannada Haridasa literature. This period was also a golden era for Kannada literature under the famous Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishnadeva Raya. Guru Vyasaraja composed the *keerthana* “Daasarendare Purandara Dasaarayya” in recognition of his disciple's talents and acknowledged his entire body of work as the “Purandaropanishat.”