Karnataka celebrated “Kanakadasa Jayanthi” on November 22, 2021 to pay tribute to Shri Kanaka Dasa, who was the 15th century poet, saint and social reformer.

Key Points

• On the occasion, Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai garlanded the photograph of Kanaka Dasa in Bengaluru.
• Kanaka Dasa had advocated social equality and justice through kirtans.
• Kaginele was the birthplace of Saint Kanaka Dasa. Government of Karnataka refurbished it, for the convenience of public visiting there.

Kanakadasa Jayanthi

This festival is celebrated by people of Karnataka and Kuruba community in Karnataka. It is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of saint Kanaka Dasa, every year. In tribute to him, Government of Karnataka has declared this day as state holiday. Year 2021 marked the 527-birth anniversary.

Kanaka Dasa

Kanaka Dasa was a Haridasa, and a renowned composer of Carnatic music, poet, musician and philosopher. He is famous for his keertanas and ugabhoga, compositions for Carnatic Music. He used simple Kannada language for his compositions. He was born in Baada village, near Bankapura. The saint was warrior at Bankapura fort.

Early work

Early works of the saint include poems like Ramadhyana Mantra, Narasimha stotra, and Mohanatarangini.