A host of distinguished artistes – vocalists, instrumentalists and dancers – will pay a musical tribute to saint-poet Purandara Dasa as part of his aradhana celebrations being held at Sri Virupaksha temple at Hampi on Tuesday.
The State-level cultural event, which will be a blend of rendering the ‘keertanas’ penned by Purandara Dasa and a variety of cultural programmes, is organised by the Department of Kannada and Culture in association with the Ballari district administration.
A sum of Rs. 10 lakh has been earmarked by the State government for the programme.
After performing a puja at 8 a.m. to the statue of Purandara Dasa, sculpted on one of the pillars of the stone mantap on the banks of the Tungabhadra, adjacent to Vijaya Vittala temple complex, where he is believed to have composed songs in praise of the Lord, the cultural events will begin at the precincts of Sri Virupaksha temple.
Radhika Venkataramana (Carnatic vocal), Bengaluru, Jayadevi Jangamashetti (Hindustani vocal) Dharwad, Sridhar Sagar (saxophone), Bengaluru, and Subhadramma Mansur, Vijaya Kishore, A.M. Veerbhadraiah, K.S. Satyanarayan, and Chidanand Raravi, all from Ballari district, will participate in the aradhana among others.
P.T. Paramshwar Naik, Minister of State for Labour and district incharge will inaugurate the event.
MPs and MLAs from the district, Sri Sanganbasav Swami of Kottur Mutt, and Dayanand Puri Swami of Gayatri peetha, Hampi, will be present.