REAL DEVOTION IS UNBROKEN, UNCONDITIONAL SUBMISSION

Sri Purandara Dāsa (1484-1564) is an Indian poet and philosopher, a renowned composer and a founding exponent of South Indian classical (Carnatic) music. Ardently devoted to Lord Vishnu (and his avatars), the saint and social reformer is even revered as an avatāra (incarnation) of Sage Nārada.

Sri Purandara was a disciple of the seer, Sri Vyasatirtha, who was one of the main proponents of Dvaita philosophy and the rajaguru ('state advisor') in the Court of Sri Krishnadevaraaya during the Vijayanagar Empire. He wedded bhāva (mood or feel), rāga (melody), and laya (rhythm) in his compositions and mainstreamed classical music. The system of simplified music teaching that Sri Purandara conceived and popularised is in vogue even today. He incorporated aspects of daily routine and elements of colloquial expressions in his lyrics. He also composed Dāsa Sāhitya, as a Bhakti Movement vocalist– the practice was emulated by his younger contemporary, Kanakadasa.

"ನವಕೋಟಿ ನಾರಾಯಣ” ('Navakoti Narayana', which translates to 'Ninety Million Narayana') is a 1964 Kannada film on the life of Purandara Dasa, who lived between 1484 and 1564. The biopic is of Srinivasa Nayaka (Dr. Rajkumar), a wealthy and prosperous, but miserly jewel merchant and pawnbroker, who later took the name of Sri Purandara Dasa. He was a married to a pious lady, Saraswati (Sowcar Janaki).

Popular legend has it that a miracle made him mend his devious, indulgent and avaricious ways. Relinquishing all his wealth and material ways, he took to a life of austerity and abstinence. He then dedicated the rest of his life to the practice, propagation and popularisation of bhakti (devotion) through his music.

Directed by SK Ananthachari, the movie is a soulful tribute to the great saint. The director has used his creative licence judiciously and kept the dramatic elements and cinematic embellishment to an optimum in the film. Lead artistes Rajkumar and Sowcar Janaki have excelled in their respective roles. So too the supporting cast comprising of legends like Dikki Madhava Rao and others. On technical merit, the historical drama seems amateurish. But, that does not detract from the enthralling, spell-binding narrative that unfolds on screen.

I rate this biopic, a timeless classic: 9.0 on 10!

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