Vachana Sahitya, a rhythmic form of writing of Bhakti poets in Kannada, emerged in the 11th century and reached its zenith in the 12th century. Comprising prose-like compositions known as Vachanas, this literary tradition conveys profound philosophical and spiritual messages. Rooted in the Sharana tradition centered around Kalyana or Kalyani in modern-day northern Karnataka, it gave rise to devoted saints including influential figures like Basavanna, Allama Prabhu, and Akka Mahadevi.
Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole, in its third episode Kayakave Kailasa, elucidates the poetry of the vachanakaras. Radio Azim Premji University presents a selection of eleven vachanas by Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu, Ayadakki Marayya, Basavanna, Devara Dasimayya, Kalavve, Madara Chennaiah, Maritande, and Sule Sankavva. They are rendered by singer M. D. Pallavi, with musician Bruce Lee Mani accompanying her on guitar. These spontaneous performances were improvised and recorded in an informal set-up as a soundtrack to the episode.
Track list
1. Sthula Sukshma - Madara Chennaiah
2. Ullavaru Shivalaya Maduvaru - Basavanna
3. Yenna Kayava - Basavanna
4. Acha Shiva Aikyange - Devara Dasimayya
5. Adi Adharavilladandu - Allama Prabhu
6. Savillada Kedillada - Akka Mahadevi
7. Kattayalli - Maritande
8. Kayakadalli - Ayadakki Marayya
9. Kuri Koli - Kalavve
10. Voteyya Hididu - Sule Sankavva
11. Tala Mana - Basavanna
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
Poems selected by Amit Basole
Supported by: Akshay Ramuhalli, Arjun Jayadev, Bijoy Venugopal, Harshit Gogoi, Kripa Gowrishankar, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar
Produced for Radio Azim Premji University
Visit our website for a full list of acknowledgements and resources for further exploration
Vachana Sahitya, a rhythmic form of writing of Bhakti poets in Kannada, emerged in the 11th century and reached its zenith in the 12th century. Comprising prose-like compositions known as Vachanas, this literary tradition conveys profound philosophical and spiritual messages. Rooted in the Sharana tradition centered around Kalyana or Kalyani in modern-day northern Karnataka, it gave rise to devoted saints including influential figures like Basavanna, Allama Prabhu, and Akka Mahadevi.
Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole, in its third episode Kayakave Kailasa, elucidates the poetry of the vachanakaras. Radio Azim Premji University presents a selection of eleven vachanas by Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu, Ayadakki Marayya, Basavanna, Devara Dasimayya, Kalavve, Madara Chennaiah, Maritande, and Sule Sankavva. They are rendered by singer M. D. Pallavi, with musician Bruce Lee Mani accompanying her on guitar. These spontaneous performances were improvised and recorded in an informal set-up as a soundtrack to the episode.
Track list
1. Sthula Sukshma - Madara Chennaiah
2. Ullavaru Shivalaya Maduvaru - Basavanna
3. Yenna Kayava - Basavanna
4. Acha Shiva Aikyange - Devara Dasimayya
5. Adi Adharavilladandu - Allama Prabhu
6. Savillada Kedillada - Akka Mahadevi
7. Kattayalli - Maritande
8. Kayakadalli - Ayadakki Marayya
9. Kuri Koli - Kalavve
10. Voteyya Hididu - Sule Sankavva
11. Tala Mana - Basavanna
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
Poems selected by Amit Basole
Supported by: Akshay Ramuhalli, Arjun Jayadev, Bijoy Venugopal, Harshit Gogoi, Kripa Gowrishankar, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar
Produced for Radio Azim Premji University
Visit our website for a full list of acknowledgements and resources for further exploration