Sunday, March 17, 2002		Books

Timeless Kanakadasa
Jaswant Kaur

Kanakadasa: The Golden Servant of Lord Hari
by Basavaraj Naikar. National Book Trust, New Delhi. Pages 115. Rs 40.

THIS book takes the reader back to the time when caste system held sway and Brahmins held a monopoly over religious matters. The so-called "low caste" people were not even allowed to enter temples.

The Brahmins, being literate and the only ones who were "authorised" to learn and discourse in the "languages of the gods," Sanskrit, manipulated religious practices for their selfish interests. Truth was eclipsed by false rituals, making religion —- the epitome of love and harmony —- the monopoly of the rich and the privileged.

The advent of Islam added to the problem. Muslim invaders were forcing the local Hindus to convert to Islam, which lead to a lot of ill-will and more. Social disorder naturally followed. Then came people like Ramanuja, Kabir and Guru Nanak who gave the message of love, equality and universal brotherhood thereby, reducing the tension between the two communities. Kanakadasa was one such social reformer from Karnataka.

Kanakadasa: the Golden Servant of Lord Hari provides information on Kanakadasa’s life and his musical compositions. Being a low-caste shepherd and having suffered a lot, particularly at the hands of Brahmins, Kanakadasa had an inborn urge to help the lower strata of society.

Unlike other children of his age, he was well-educated, had a sharp eye and a mind that analysed social developments. His poems and kirtans deal with every aspect of life and expose the futility of external rituals. They stress the need for cultivation of moral values in life.

In one of his poems, Ramadhanya Charitra, he has allegorised the dichotomy between high and low castes while describing the quarrel between rice and millet. He says that even though rice is used by high caste people and for religious rituals, millet, the staple food of the poor, is much higher in status in the eyes of God.

Though an ardent devotee of God, Kanakadasa was a rebel who protested against social evils like caste system, untouchability, etc. through his poems. Commenting on the Brahminical hypocrisy, he says that he would like to be a servant of a chandala than to be a vicious Brahmin.

Again, while questioning untouchability, he gives a long list of people whom he considers to be untouchable. He says that untouchable is one "who preaches virtue but does not practice it; who serves the king and yet wishes him ill; who lusts after a whore; who poisons the patient through medicine" and so on.

In another kirtan he tells how people neglect their duties but call themselves pure. He says that "bathing in the river without conquering internal pride, envy and wrath is meaningless" and "exhibiting hyperbolic devotion is like an actress exhibiting her illusory beauty."

He he suggests solution to various dilemmas of life and points out that "it is better to quarrel with the wise than to be with the ignorant; it is better to beg in a populous city than to starve in a royal palace; it is better to live in a deserted temple than to live in the company of the jealous"...

Then he warns that "one should not worship a mere piece of stone; that one should not criticise others and commit the sin thereof....."

Today, when many people have lost their moral values and society is divided on communal lines, Kanakadasa’ message is of vital importance. The need is to revive it and spread it. It all lies with our religious leaders who can guide us to the right path.