Saint Purandara Daasa was the earliest composers of Carnatic music, and it is he who developed the grammar for learning music, and also set the pattern of an ideal Kirthana. This pattern is still followed by all the music teachers and Vidvans at the music concert. These contributions were so significant and he was known as the Sangeetha Pithama.
In this part of the country, Sangeetha Pithamas compositions are relegated to couple of thukadas at the end of the concert. Is it that Vidwans find it difficult to learn the Sahitya and sing it correctly? Or, is it that Daasars songs are not fit for elaboration in a concert here?
To create an interest among the children to take up to learning the Purandara Daasars Krithis, the Karnataka Association conducts the annual music competition for students in the age group of 8 to 25 years.
Daasars devara namas are all in simple Kannada or Sanskrit. To ensure the participants render the song properly a workshop will be conducted a week before the competition for all the competitors who ask for it, to correct the pronunciation, perfect the diction and also to understand the meaning of the song. Specialists in Daasar songs – from Mangalore / Udupi – form the resource team.
The Competition - The salient features:
1. Around 300 children between the ages 8 and 25 under nearly 80 music teachers, divided into 4 age groups participate each year
2. Musicologists judge the performances based on Raga, Sruthi, Tala, Bhava, Pronunciation and Diction
3. Competition is not just to evaluate the competitor’s skill in music, but also to test the understanding & rendering the Sahitya correctly.
4. The event is spread over 2 or 3 days and the finalists of each group perform before an invited audience
5. Cash prizes are given to 3 winners in each group
6. The music teachers are recognized in the same platform for their effort
7. All participants are given a a CD of Purandara Daasrs kritis, besides gifts and participation certificate
8. A workshop to perfect the Sahitya (lyrics) - pronunciation, diction, and understanding its meaning is held a week earlier to benefit all participants.