Poets and Places in Karnataka: Etching their contributions around the landscape by Aishwarya Lakshmi
“Poetry has never been the language of barriers; it
has been the language of bridges.”
-
Amanda Gorman
The symbolic and intimate connection between poets and places often serves as muses of creative expression. Weaving words to bridge the gaps between the tangible reality and intangible realms of experiences, these poets have become immortal ambassadors of the tapestries they lived in. These landscapes, cultural nuances, and historical contexts transcend from mere spaces to epochs of spiritual and emotional bonds that still resonate with their thoughts and ideas.
Karnataka boasts a rich cultural legacy of art, architecture, history, and literature. Poets have played a significant role in shaping and preserving the heritage within our cultural mosaic. Traversing across the regions, we encounter not just the physical landscapes that inspired these poets, but also the traditional ethos that continues to shape Karnataka’s literary narrative.
Guruvina gullama naguva thanka,
Doryedanna mukuthi,
Pari pari shastravana odidarenu,
Varstha vaythu bakuthi
(This keerthana eloquently emphasizes the profound bond
between teacher and student. True enlightenment can be attained when one
wholeheartedly surrenders to the teacher's wisdom.)
With a mythological underpinning, rocky arena, and a mythical setting, Hampi’s opulence is a tale of myth, legend, and literature. Adding to its glory is the Purandara Dasa Mandapa, an open pillared pavilion located on the low-lying shore of the Tungabhadra River. The local lores boast it to be the adobe of Purandara Dasa, one of the pioneers of the Bhakti movement and a great Vittala devotee. Giving up his wealth and abandoning his life as a merchant, he traveled to the Vijayanagara Empire and dedicated his life to Lord Vittala (another name for Lord Vishnu). The carving of the saint playing tambura inside the mandapa gives a glimpse of his time at Hampi. He is believed to have composed about 75,000 keerthanas at this mandapa and performed them regularly at the Vittala temple less than a kilometer away.
Bagilu tegadu sevanu kodu Hariye,
Kugidaru dwani kellalilave Narahariye
(Kanaka Dasa in this Keerthana is requesting the Lord to let him pay a visit and seek his divine blessings.)
Known for its Yellaki (Cardamom) and Byadige manechinkay (Red chilies), Haveri is also home to another medieval poet, Kanaka Dasa. Born as Thimmappa Nayaka at Kaginele, Haveri, Kanaka Dasa became an advert devotee of Lord Krishna and wrote innumerable keerthanas praising the Lord. All his Dasa padagalu (poems) end with the "Ankitha Naama" Kaginele aadi Keshava. The Kanaka Dasa Guru Peetha established at Kaginele continues to keep this great saint’s legacy alive giving tribute to his work and protecting the monuments in Kaginele associated with him and the state government.
Kuppali Kavi Shila, Shimogga- Mahakavi Kuvempu
Karnataka yembudanu hesaru bariya mannige?
Mantra kana! Shakthi kana! Tayi kana!
Devi kana! Benki kana! Sibilu kana!
(The poet talks about the beauty of his motherland, Karnataka. He believes being part of this rich culture and talking about its great legacy is divine and powerful.)
Nested amidst the scenic beauty of the lush greenery, Kuppali is a fairy tale village bound to take its visitors into a trance. The birthplace of Mahakavi and Jnanapeeth awardee Kuvempu, this village is a complementation of cultural immersion and undulating ranges of the Western Ghats. Kavimane (poet’s house) or Kuvempu’s ancestral home is a testimony of his life—his books and manuscripts, the awards, and the items he and his family used. Whitewashed with a Mangalore tiles roof, a central courtyard, and red-oxide flooring, his sprawling three-storeyed house has been turned into a museum. The poet’s samadhi (grave) can be found at Kavi Shila, a small hillock named after his anonymous poem, which is close to his house.
Bendre Bhavana, Dharwad – DR Bendre
Maathu maathu mathisi banda naada navaneeta
Higge beere higgalittu tanna tane preetha
(The poet celebrates the happiness found in genuine conversations born from love and joy and wants to spread this joy by simply being together, without wanting anything in return.)
The unhurried sylvan landscape of his hometown Dharwad has earned a permanent place in Kannada literature. The traditional yellow house or the Bendre Bhavana is a familiar name. This vintage building has a museum, a gallery, and Bendre’s residence. The gallery is filled with his poems, portraits, photographs, degrees, and decorations. The library on the mezzanine floor has a rare collection of his works and book collections, both Hindi and Marathi. His residence at the rare end, is a simple Mangalore-tiled structure reminding his presence in every nook and corner, as you meander around. With a beautiful garden, a bust of DR Bendre and his wife, and a small bookshelf of the family’s collection, the subtle ambiance of the place magnifies the poet’s simplistic life and his love for mother nature.
References:
1.
Purandaradasa's
earthly abode https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/purandaradasas-earthly-abode-2229710Shilpa
2.
Hampi – Purandara
Mantapa https://touringwithpk.com/hampi-purandara-mantapa/
3.
Kanigele,
the birthplace of Kanaka Dasa https://www.bindugopalrao.com/kaginele-birthplace-kanakadasa/
4.
Kaginele
Kanaka Guru Peetha https://travel2karnataka.com/kaginele_kanaka_guru_peetha.htm
5.
Poets
house in Kuppali https://yokarnataka.wordpress.com/2014/12/31/poets-house-in-kuppali/
6.
Poetry
and drama in Karnataka’s Western Ghats https://lifestyle.livemint.com/news/big-story/poetry-and-drama-in-karnataka-s-western-ghats-111656598769381.html
7.
Discovering
a poet at Bendre Bhavan, Dharwad https://www.inditales.com/bendre-bhavan-dharwad/
8.
You
give me pain; I will give you nectar
https://www.deccanherald.com/features/you-give-me-pain-i-will-give-715842.html
FAQs
1. Where is Purandara dasa
mantapa?
A: On the banks of Tungabhadra, near Vittala
temple at Hampi
2.
What is Kaginele known for?
A: Kaginele is the birthplace of the famous
Bhakti poet Kanakadasa
3.
What is the name of
Kuvempu’s ancestral house?
A:
Kavi Mane
4.
What is DR Bendre known
for?
A:
DR Bendre is known for pioneering the Navodaya movement in Kannada literature
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