Kanaka Dasa was a Haridasa, a renowned composer of Carnatic music, poet, philosopher and musician. He is known for his keertanas and ugabhoga, compositions in the Kannada language for CarnaticMusic. His early work includes poems titled Narasimha stotra, Ramadhyana Mantra, and Mohanatarangini.
About Kanaka Dasa in brief
Kanaka Dasa was a Haridasa, a renowned composer of Carnatic music, poet, philosopher and musician. Originally named Thimmappa Nayaka, Kaginele in Haveri district, he was born in Baada village, near Bankapura and he was a warrior. He is known for his keertanas and ugabhoga, compositions in the Kannada language for CarnaticMusic. His early work includes poems titled Narasimha stotra, Ramadhyana Mantra, and Mohanatarangini. Based on one of his compositions, it is interpreted 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. It is believed that during those days, when Kanakadaasa was not allowed to have darshan of Lord Krishna, he poured his heart out singing kirthanas for his dear Lord. Miraculously, the deity of Krishna turned around to face west.
Ever since, Sri Krishna’s deity has been facing west, though the main entrance is east-facing. The miracle remains. Today that window stands as a tribute to Kanakaadaasa. Devotees who visit Udupi’s Sri Krishna temple, try to have a darshans through this small window to re-live the ecstasy where Kanakadasa had when granting the divine ‘darshan’ It is a testimony to the eclectic Hindu belief that sainthood and devotion are above caste and creed. Although many saints such as Vijayaradaasa and Vijayasa Purandaradaas visited Udupa and were devotees of lord Krishna, it’s Kanakadas’ association with Lord Krishna that is most important. It’s said that Kanakadoasa lived in a hut in this place in front of the “gopura” Later it came to be known as “Kanakana Kindi” or “kanakanas” ‘ Kindi or ‘Kanana Mandira’ ‘Kindi’ is a place where devotees seek to ‘live the testimony to Kanakadeasa’s devotion, poetry and devotion to Lord Krishna.
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This page is based on the article Kanaka Dasa published in Wikipedia (as of Dec. 04, 2020) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
