CHIKMAGALURU: Issue related to the birth place of Sri Purandara Dasa , who was considered as father of Carnatic music is solved as per the report of the committee set up to finding out the birth place.

It is established that, Purandara Dasa’s birth place is Araga of Thirthahalli Taluk of Shimoga district, not the Purandara garh of Pune as believed earlier.

Bodhivruksha, a sister concern of Vijaya Karnataka reported way back in 2012 that, Araga must be the birth place. After that, Vijaya Karnataka again published with more evidence in this regard. Then Karnataka government set up a 5 member committee to study about this.

Senior musician RK Padmanabha, Karnataka Ex minister Leeladevi R Prasad, senior scholars AV Navada, Veeranna Rajora and Aralumallige Parthasarathy were the members and Shivananda Viraktamath is the convener of this committee. This committee travelled and roamed around Pune and Araga areas and collected related information and evidences.

Except the name of the deity “Purandara”, nothing found in Purandaragarh of Pune in Maharashtra , related to Purandara Dasa. But in and around Araga Village of Karnataka, many historical records were found.

During 8th century AD itself Araga's name was referred in history. And during 10th to 17th century, Araga was the capital of Male (???) Rajya in many names like Vente, Kampana, Rajya, Pura and Puttana. Vijayanagar Kings, Keladi Kings also were ruling. “Vittala” (name of Vishnu) is their worshipping deity. Vashnavites of Araga have the last name as “Nayaka” and due to this Varadappa Nayaka’s son Srinivasa also got Nayaka in his name and eventually he was called as Purandara Dasa.

Even in keerthana’s (Songs) written by Purandara Dasa having the language style of Male (???) region. Wife of Purandara Dasa is hailed from Beluru of Hassan district. Srinivasa Nayaka was a trader selling diamonds, gold and gems. He was attracted towards music and eventually became the great poet and singer.

Purandara Dasa was born in 1484 and died in 1564. Srinivasa Nayaka wento Vijaya Nagara, where he took Hari Dasa Deeksha (oath) from Vyasaraya and got the “Purandara Vittala” pen name. He has written 4.75 lac devotional songs with aim of 5 keerthanas. It is believed that his son Madhwapadasa wrote other 25000 songs and fulfilled his father’s dream. Purandaradasa visited Thirupati, Sriranga, Kalasa, Beluru, Nanjangud, Srirangapatna, Udupi, Pandarapur and other religious places and he mentioned these names with the presiding deity of those places in his songs also.

With this information with evidence, report is submitted to Karnataka government now.

