Ishwarayya A., writer and art critic, said recently that ‘haridasas’ or saint-composers, who were responsible for creating ‘Dasa Sahitya’, had emphasised on following morals and ethics in a simple language.
He was speaking at the inaugural function of the seminar on ‘Haridasa Sahitya’, organised by the Dasa Sahitya Parishat, Bengaluru, Kanakadasa Adhyayana Samshodhana Peetha and other organisations at MGM College, here.
Mr. Ishwarayya said that the Haridasas had spoken against exploitation, false prestige and superficial behaviour. They felt that critics were essential in any person’s life so that the person could always correct himself or herself and follow the righteous path.
The “kirtanas” written by the Haridasas had always emphasised on the importance of devotion in the lives of people. They always encouraged people strive, struggle, and achieve their goals through right means.
It was not enough to have mere knowledge, it was necessary to gain wisdom. It was essential to create more awareness of the richness of “Haridasa Sahitya” and the “kirtanas,” Mr. Ishwarayya said.
Harikrishna Punaroor, former president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, said that the young generation had not realized the importance of Dasa Sahitya. They were all behind excelling in examinations and dreaming of lucrative career prospects.
Modern education had made youngsters more career oriented and less society oriented. “It is essential to follow the ideals propounded by the Harisdasas in their kirtanas,” he said.
Kirtanas have always emphasised the importance of devotion in people’s lives, says writer
