Tatvapadas — metaphysical poems of known and unknown authorship — have always been part of the literary tradition of Kannada, but never documented as one integrated body of work. Now, for the first time, the around 1,200-year-old history of the tradition, is being put together in 32 volumes.
Kanakadasa Study and Research Centre (KSRC) is bringing out “Karnataka Samagra Tatvapada Sampadane” running to over 11,500 pages. They bring together literature, some of it surviving only in oral tradition, through intense research and travel.
“This rich tradition has been neglected from the mainstream Kannada literature,” regrets writer and scholar Nataraj Budalu, chief editor of the project. With the help of noted scholars, including K. Marulasiddappa, Rahmat Tarikere, Meenakshi Bali, Satish Kulkarni, Y.B. Himmadi, and others, they have edited and fine-tuned Tatvapadas collected and compiled by over 100 scholars. “Listening to Tatvapada, to the accompaniment of the pleasant sound of Ektara, Khanjira, and Tala, is really a mystical experience. They are a part of a living tradition practised throughout Karnataka irrespective of caste, creed, culture, and even religion. It is a blend of Sharana, Siddha, Buddhist, Natha, Kapalika, Shaiva, Shaktya, Advita, and Vachanakara traditions. But it has remained unrecognised in the changing cultural scenario,” observed Ka. Ta. Chikkanna, Director, KSRC.
The volumes comprise the works of Tatvapadakaras, including Shishunala Sharif, Nijaguna Shivayogi, Kanakadasa, Mahipathidasa, Muppina Shadakshari, and Akka Mahadevi. In the second phase of the work, expected to be completed by the end of the year, as many as 25 volumes, covering nearly all Tatvapadakaras, will be ready. The voluminous work is being done with help from the Department of Kannada and Culture.
The team of scholars met Tatvapada singers personally, who according to traditional practice, sing the padas assembling at nights. They have also attended exclusive Tatva Jatras (fairs) events where they recorded songs, besides from written manuscripts from Tatvapada singers living in 26 districts across the State. There are little known Tatvapada singers in many parts of north Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka. There are also many in places like Tumakuru.
“Love and compassion are the main themes of Tatvapadas. They, in fact, represent true democracy, as they do not encourage any kind of discrimination. They do not attach much significance to places of worship or idols. They propagate human values, which are universal,” Mr. Nataraj said. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will release all the volumes at a function in Ravindra Kalakshetra on Monday.
