|| Om Sri Koppara Lakshmi Narasimha Prasanna ||
Greetings! I'm Dandin Anantha Rao, the mind and heart behind www.purandaradasa.co.in. A businessman and a postgraduate engineer by profession, my love for Purandara Dasa's songs propelled me to curate and structure his compositions, including lyrics and detailed explanations/pravachanas. This treasure trove is now shared with you on this website.
Roots in Tradition
My journey is rooted in the rich legacy of my elders, particularly my grandfather, close relatives in the Tatti Family and my father. Their collective efforts have contributed significantly to the annual Purandara Dasa Aradhane held on Purandara Punya Tithi. As a youngster, I found myself captivated by the mesmerizing performances of renowned musicians singing Purandara Dasa songs at these gatherings. Little did I know that, unknowingly, a profound passion for these songs was taking root in my heart.
Preserving Heritage:
The elders in my family played a pivotal role in the restoration of the Purandara Mantapa at Hampi (a shila shasana is there in Purandara Mantapa, a photo of this is also presented under Elders’ Contribution Section). Since 1954, they have been steadfastly conducting the Purandara Dasa Aradhane annually, embodying a commitment to preserving the cultural heritage embedded in these melodic masterpieces.
The Beginning
My journey into the world of Purandara Dasa's compositions began with a simple pleasure — listening to these songs on the radio, television, and YouTube during my free time. As my exploration deepened, I realized the absence of a singular source housing a comprehensive collection of Purandara Dasa songs with accurate lyrics and detailed explanations. In the digital age, the vision emerged to collect, collate, and present this treasure trove on a website.
Primary Goal
“www.purandaradasa.in” is more than a website — it's a dedication to music enthusiasts, researchers, and academicians. The primary goal is to offer this extensive collection freely, raising awareness about the total number of available songs/lyrics. The aim is to establish this website as the singular, authentic source for Purandara Dasa's musical compositions.
Beyond Lyrics
The commitment doesn't stop at lyrics. Intentions are set to collect and include photo-copies of the HASTA PRATI related to these songs. This inclusion serves to assist researchers in advancing their studies and presenting comprehensive information about the vast repertoire of songs by our 'Sangeetha Pitamaha' — Sri Purandara Dasa.
Turning Point
Anticipating the enormity of this task, discussions with my wife and children became a turning point. Their unwavering support and willingness to contribute strengthened my resolve to embark on this significant endeavor.
The Laborious Phase
Aware of the demands this endeavor would place on my time, energy, patience, and financial resources, I began the laborious collection process. Through years (since 2019) of meticulous effort, I connected with experts and researchers in Haridasa Sahitya, accumulating around 2000 songs/lyrics dedicated to Purandara
Guiding Lights
The encounter with esteemed senior researcher on Haridasa Sahitya, Dr. T.N. Nagarathna, a doctorate holder in Haridasa Sahitya, Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies, Mysore University and Dr. B. S. Anila Kumara Bommaghatta, a doctorate holder in Haridasa Sahitya and a Joint Director at Prasaranga, Mysore University, marked a turning point. Their guidance significantly transformed my research and collection methodologies.
The Presentation Phase
After overcoming obstacles, the website's design was carefully crafted. Extensive contemplation and discussions aimed for a user-friendly, straightforward, and visually appealing interface accessible on all devices.
Appeal to Researchers
To researchers, I extend a humble request to verify the lyrics meticulously. Discrepancies or errors, when identified, can be communicated via email along with relevant and authenticated documents. Your corrections, along with your name and contact information, will be acknowledged and shared for each kruti on this website.
Authenticity Matters
In the event of identifying inauthentic songs, your prompt notification is pivotal in taking suitable actions, maintaining the integrity of the collection, and ensuring that only authentic compositions find a place within this repository.
A Call to All
To everyone, if you discover new or rare songs absent from the website, please share them. Your contributions, once uploaded, will be acknowledged with gratitude (with your name and phone number).
Thank you for being part of this musical and cultural journey!
Dandin Anantha Rao
Founder, www.purandaradasa.co.in