Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 3: Kanakadasa is a guru of all times- the past, present and future. It would not be an exaggeration if he is referred to as ‘Lokaguru’. To remove darkness of all forms he strived and tried educating people around.

In addition to being a poet, he worked as a social reformer. He effectively used music to convey his philosophy. He was a warrior and it is interpreted in Mohanatarangini that he was seriously injured in a battle and was miraculously saved. After this incident, he gave up his profession as a warrior and devoted himself to composing music, writing literature and explaining philosophy to the common man. He composed poems that are relevant even today said Dr B V Vasanth Kumar, president of Karnataka Sahithya Academy and assistant professor in Kannada at Maharani’s Women’s College for Arts and Commerce, Mysuru, on the occasion of virtual Kanakadasa Jayanti at Shakthi Campus on Thursday.

Kanakadasa’s writings showed his innovativeness in using the day-to-day activities of the common man. He joined the Haridasa movement and became a follower of Vyasaraja who named him Kanakadasa. His poems and krithi deal with many aspects of life and expose the futility of external rituals. They stress the need for the cultivation of moral values in life. His compositions addressed social issues in addition to the devotional aspect. His poem 'Kula Kula Kulavendu hodedhadadiri' asks humans not to segregate themselves from one another, because every human is born the same way none is superior or inferior to one another.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr K C Naik, the administrator of Shakthi Education Trust stated that the keerthanas composed by Kanakadasa are not just writings, but great influentials on mankind at all times. Many such programmes ought to be conducted to spread awareness about such noble souls to this as well as the next generation.

Ramesh K, the chief advisor, Prakyath Rai, the institute development officer, Sudheer M K, principal-in-charge of Shakthi PU College, Vidya Kamath, principal of Shakthi Residential School were present on the occasion along with all the teaching and non-teaching staff and the students of Shakthi Group of institutions.

Pooja Nair of I PU spoke on the significance of the day, Samyak Chadaga of grade 9 proved his efficiency in singing one of the Kanakadasa keerthanas, Akshatha M G welcomed the gathering, Sharanappa introduced the guest to the audience and Deepthi G proposed the vote of thanks. Premalatha P was the master of the ceremony.