To solve the mystery behind the birthplace of Purandara Dasa, Karnataka’s Department of Archaeology, Heritage and Museums will commence field research work at Keshavapura in Araga Grama Panchayat of Tirthahalli taluk in Karnatak.
- It was widely believed that the mystic poet was born in Purandharagad, Maharashtra. However, many in Malnad (Karnataka) claimed that he hailed from this region.
- Purandara Dasa is hailed as father figure of Carnatic music. His songs express his love for Lord Narayana, especially Sri Krishna.
- It is said that prior to his initiation to Haridasa tradition, he was a rich merchant and was called as Srinivasa Nayaka. The ‘Nayaka’ title was attributed to locally influential people, including wealthy merchants in Malnad during the Vijayanagar rule. On this basis, may claimed that Purandara Dasa hailed from Araga-Malnad region.
Source: The Hindu
