Dasa Pada Vaibhava
Daasa literature evolved by saints who believed in Vishnu, the Hindu deity of protection. Followers and believers of Vishnu are referred to as Vaishnavites. IN 14th century, many scholars refined and simplified the old textbooks and converted the principle and moralistic quality into simple songs called Padas. There are two saints who were at the top of popularlity since 5 centuries. Thet are Puranadaradasa and Kanakadasa
A brief introduction on Purandara Dasa
Purandara Dāsa (Kannada: ಪುರಂದರ ದಾಸ) (1484–1564) was a Haridasa (a devotee - servant of Lord Hari (Vishnu)), great devotee of Lord Krishna (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and a saint. Inscriptional evidence suggests Purandara Dasa was born in a diamond merchant family in 1484 CE in Kshemapura,near Tirthahalli, Shivamogga district, Karnataka state.
He was a disciple of the celebrated Madhwa philosopher-saint Vyasatirtha, and a contemporary of yet another great Haridasa, Kanakadasa. He was a composer, singer and one of the chief founding proponents of the South Indian classical music (Carnatic Music). In honor of his significant and legendary contributions to Carnatic Music, he is widely referred to as the Pitamaha (lit, "father" or the "grandfather") of Carnatic Music. He is respected as an avatara (incarnation) of the great sage Narada (a celestial being who is also a singer).
Purandara Dasa is noted for composing Dasa Sahithya, as a Bhakti movement vocalist, and a music scholar. His practice was emulated by his younger contemporary, Kanakadasa. Purandara Dasa's Carnatic music compositions are mostly in Kannada, while some are in Sanskrit. He signed his compositions with the ankita (pen name) "Purandara Vittala" (Vittala is one of the incarnations of the Hindu god Vishnu).
Brief introduction on Kanaka Dasa
Kanaka Dasa (ಕನಕದಾಸ) (1509 – 1609) was a poet, philosopher, musician, and composer from modern Karnataka. He was born in kuruba community (shepherd). He is known for his Kirtanes and Ugabhoga, compositions in the Kannada language for Carnatic music. Like other Haridasas, he used simple Kannada language and native metrical forms for his compositions.
Thimmappa Nayaka was his original name and he belonged to a chieftain family of Kaginele in Haveri district. He was born to the couple Biregowda and Bachchamma at Baada village.
Kanakadasa wrote about two hundred forty Karnataka Music compositions (Kirtane, Ugabhogas, padas and mundiges or philosophical songs). All his Karnataka Music compositions end with mudra (signature) Kaginele Adhikeshava.