Daasaanubhava – A workshop on Dasa compositions

Ranjani Memorial Trust, founded in the memory of vocalist Ranjani Hebbar, organised a two-day workshop on Dasa keertanas at Arkay Convention Centre, Mylapore. This was done in collaboration with Vijayanagara Ujjivana Trust of Anegundi, Hampi.

The two-day workshop featured six hours of master class on Dasa compositions conducted by Prof. Aravinda Hebbar, a well-known tune-smith of Dasa compositions. He was assisted by his disciples Archana and Samanvi.

On 20 May 2023, the workshop was inaugurated by Sangita Kalanidhi Sudha Raghunathan who was the guest of honour. Sudha Raghunathan spoke about the importance of Dasa compositions and highlighted the need to widen the repertoire of these compositions sung in Carnatic platforms.

On the first day, four compositions of various Dasas were taught - Vyasaraya (Dasarendare - Yadukulakambhoji - khanda Chapu), Surapurada Ananda Dasa (Udupiya krishnana - Arabhi - Adi), Kanakadasa (Tanu ninnadu - Kedaragaula - misra Chapu) and Purandara Dasa (Muddu taro - Patdeep - Adi).

On the second day, five compositions were taught - Ele manase (Madhyamavati - khanda chapu - Rama dasa), Heegirabeku (Karaharapriya - Adi - Purandara Dasa), Nimma Bhagya (Kuntalavarali - Adi - Purandara Dasa), Neene ballidano (Sindubhairavi - Adi - Purandara Dasa) and a mundige - Moogu sannadu (Pahadi - Adi - Purandara Dasa).

Prof. Hebbar highlighted the beauty of the Dasa sahitya by explaining the meanings of these compositions and stressed the importance of sahitya in the tuning and rendition of Dasa compositions. He also showed how these compositions need not be limited to the post-main section of concerts by pointing out the places where niraval and swaras could be rendered.

Violin maestro Vittal Ramamurthy was the guest of honour on day two of the workshop and expressed his appreciation for this attempt to popularise Dasa compositions. The two-day workshop received an overwhelming response with attendance of many young musicians, students, scholars and lay rasikas. A total of 45 enthusiastic participants attended the workshop each day. Overall, it was a very successful attempt by the organisers with the support of  Arkay Ramakrishnan's in popularising and spreading new Dasa songs in Chennai.