QUEEN’S ROAD: A music organisation is holding a two-day festival to highlight the compositions of the Kannada Haridasas.
Samanvaya Kala Kendra, a trust promoting Carnatic music since 2006, is hosting Haridasa Habba on February 7 and 8.
Apart from the annual festival, the trust runs a music school that teaches Carnatic music, including Haridasa compositions.
"We have about 125 students. They take part in the concerts," says singer Tirumale Srinivas, who also heads the trust.
With an aim to keep the Haridasa tradition alive, the trust also conducts yearly workshops and Grama Pradarshana, where they go to small villages and sing at the temples.
"This is the 10th year we are holding the festival. Centuries ago, musical saints like Purandaradasa and Kanakadasa used to sing on the streets and people would give them rice, grains and other stuff with which they used to cook. We do the same before the Haridasa Habba every year. We take out a procession on the streets in Jayanagar and sing Haridasa kritis," Srinivas told City Express. The trust also holds a monthly musical event called, Samanthini, where artists are given a platform to showcase their talents.
At the annual festival, it felicitates distinguished musicians. "This year we are felicitating D Shashikala, and we expect 1,000 people to attend the event," Srinivas says.
Haridasa Habba, Jayarama Seva Mandali, Jayanagar 8th Block, 4.30 to 8.30 pm, Saturday and Sunday.