Title: Purandara Dasaru
Writer: Dr Aralumallige Parthasarathi
Publisher: Purandara Prashishtana,
S/2, 2nd Main, 2nd Cross, Mahalakshmipuram,
Basaveshwaranagar, Bangalore 560086.
Pages: 26+224; Price: Rs 80
Karnataka’s contribution to the Bhakti movement is remarkable. Dasa tradition in Karnataka was part of the Bhakti movement which flourished from around 15th century. Earlier too, though not classified as part of the Bhakti movement, in the 12th century, Allama Prabhu, Basavanna and others initiated Sharana movement to reform society. Like the Sharanas, the members of the Dasa movement too tried to reform society, besides instilling a sense of devotion among the people.
Purandara Dasa was one among them, also considered the father of Carnatic music because of his contribution to that style of Indian music.
One of the well-known writers in Kannada Dr Aralumallige Parthasarathi is considered an authority on Dasa literature.
He has given hundreds of lectures on Purandara Dasa in the last three decades. He has popularized the essence of the works of Purandara Dasa even in America, Canada, Australia, England, Dubai, Sharjah and other countries. Dr Aralumallige Parthasarathi, critic, columnist, novelist and orator, has written nearly three dozen books in Kannada. The second volume of his book, is an analysis of Purandara’s l i f e a n d achievements. He goes on analyzing the works and important incidents in the life of Purandara Dasa, with cross reference to the documents available now. He has tried to make his work more authentic by quoting inscriptions and historical evidences.
He has also tried to find out the circumstances under which Purandara Dasa had written his `keerthanas’ (the devotional songs), where he had gone spreading his message of devotion, whom he had met, how they influenced him and vice versa and other similar issues based on Purandara Dasa’s poems, other evidences and the writings of his contemporaries.
It is a good reference book on Purandara Dasa and his works.
m arunbenaka@gmail.com