Dasa Sahithya is the literature of bhakti movement composed by devotees in honor of Lord Vishnu or one of his avatars. Dasa literally means ‘servant’ in Kannada and sahitya is literature. These ardent devotees of Lord Vishnu considered themselves as Dasas or servants of Hari, and hence the terminology. The Dasas were typically travelling mendicants, singing in praise of the Lord. They created a wave in the community, dwelling on the importance of the practice of social values for spiritual attainment. The bhakti literature of these Haridasas is collectively referred to as Dasa Sahitya.
The Haridasas have contributed to the rich heritage of music in Karnataka. They have made an indelible impression on the religious and cultural life of Karnataka through the medium of Music. Vivekananda Institute of Indian Studies has organized the program “Dasavani” in an effort to bring out the essence of this movement.
