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Overview
The Dasa Sahitya Project propagates
and popularises the literature of the saint composers of Karnataka,
popularly known as Karnataka Haridasas, who enriched Kannada
religious literature with their hymns.
Karnataka Haridasas who brought the esoteric
Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas within the reach of the common
man in lyrical form in simple Kannada, composed thousands
of hymns in praise of Lord Sri Venkateswara, thus preaching
devotion of God.
Purandaradasa, Kanakadasa, Vijayadasa,
Sripadaraja, Vyasaraja, Vadiraja, Gopaladasa and Jagannathadasa
were some of the luminaries in the galaxy of Karnataka Haridasas
who treaded the path of dualism paved by Sri Madhwacharya.
This lineage of Karnataka Haridasas has produced around 400
saint-composers.
The Dasa Sahitya Project aims at acquainting
people with the lives and teachings of Karnataka Haridasas;
spirituality, righteousness and morals preached by them, thus
inculcating devotion in general and devotion to Lord Sri Venkateswara
in particular. This is achieved through:
- Publications
- Exhibitions
- Audio Cassettes
- Religious
and Cultural Programmes
Publications
The publications of the Dasa Sahitya
Project include:
- Abridged biographies of Karnataka Haridasas
for children in various languages
- Biographies of Karnataka Haridasas
in the form of essays, Harikathas, Burrakathas, plays, ballets,
etc.in various languages
- Karnataka Haridasa literature with
exhaustive commentaries in various languages
- Hymns with musical notations
- Sayings of the Karnataka Haridasas
in various languages in the ‘Thus Spake’ series
- Booklets in various languages with
brief information on the main features of the Dasa Sahitya
Exhibition, such as the Process of Creation, Devatas, Omkar,
Kesava and other forms of the Lord, Kamalas, Papapurusha
Visarjana, etc.
- Papers presented by scholars at seminars
conducted by the project
- Works of comparative studies on the
literature of Karnataka Haridasas and saint-composers of
other languages.
- Glossary of Karnataka Haridasas Literature
- Rare, unpublished works of Karnataka
Haridasas.
- Photos of Karnataka Haridasas, in tricolour.
Exhibitions
- Photographs of places connected to
the Karnataka Haridasas; idols of Gods and Goddesses worshipped
by them; articles used by them and photographs of temples
constructed by them
- Oil paintings depicting the teachings
of the Karnataka Haridasas; philosophy and the secrets of
Creation as evinced by them
Audio
Cassettes
- Cassettes of songs composed by Karnataka
Haridasas and their biographies in the form of Harikathas
by renowned singers are brought out.
Religious
and Cultural Programmes
The project conducts the following
religious and cultural programmes:
- Aradhanas of Karnataka Haridasas: These
programmes have religious discourses, Harikathas, and musical
concerts as main features, and Bhajans and quiz contests
as special attractions, arranged at various places in connection
with the Vardhantis/Jayanthis of Karnataka Haridasas.
- Summer Camps: Recitation of 'Harikathamritasara',
discourses on Dasa Sahitya, teaching of Haridasa compositions
and religious texts are the main features of the Summer
Camp.
- Metlotsavam: Climbing the Seven Hills
in the traditional manner, as taught by the Karnataka Haridasas;
singing of Bhajans by thousands of members of the Bhajan
troupes attired in Haridasa-fashion, and procession of Haridasa
portraits through the main streets of Tirupati. Bhajan and
quiz contests are the main features of Metlotsavam.
- 'Samyojana' of Bhajan Troupes: Teaching
Bhajan troupes Haridasa compositions according to the tradition
introduced by the school; providing them with perfected
versions of Haridasa compositions in the order of Taaratamya;
registering the Bhajan troupes with the project for achieving
uniformity in Bhajan singing and popularising sankeertans
through Bhajans.
- Seminars on Dasa Sahitya: Arranging
discourses on 'Dasa Sahitya' by reputed scholars and publishing
the papers presented by them.
- Dasotsavams: Lectures by scholars on
the literature of 2/3 Karnataka Haridasas, based on comparative
study; music concerts and Bhajans comprising songs composed
by Haridasas and Harikathas.
The above programmes are arranged at various
places every year. Local Aradhana Committees, Bhajan troupes
and other religious and cultural associations are encouraged
to participate and conduct programmes.
Propagation
of Hari Bhajan Literature And Tradition
The easy path to deliverance, as
shown by the Haridasas, is through Hari Bhajan. They taught,
"Hari Bhajana Maado Nirantara - Paragatigidu Nirdhara",
meaning perform Hari Bhajan always;The only way to Mukti is
the preachings of Haridasas.
The great soul who introduced the Taaratamya-Bhajan
was Saint Purandaradasa, a pioneer of karnatic music. He spread
the Taaratamya Bhajan culture throughout the nation. However,
the ethos and regulations he introduced have since disappeared.
The Dasa Sahitya Project has taken up
the task of popularising the traditional Bhajan. Its main
objectives are to:
- Inculcate dharma in society through
Bhajan Mandals
- Establish Bhajan groups throughout
the Nation
- Encourage existing Bhajan Mandals
- Encourage Bhajan Mandals to celebrate
the Aradhanas of Karnataka Haridasas
- Popularise the use of "Hare Srinivasa"
as a salutation among members of Bhajan Mandals.
Advisory
Board
The project has an Advisory Board
and Expert Committee, comprising eminent scholars, which reviews
programmes and helps plan various activities involving research,
publication and propagation.
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