MUMBAI: Karnataka celebrates its 60th year since its formation today, and in the territory of art, story-telling, poem and music, there has never been a greater contributor or an export to the world than the prominent composer Purandara Das, dearly titled 'Father of Carnatic Music'. Carnatic music, even in 21st century, has practitioners across the country and modern-age musicians have often relied on the ancient art form to express their thoughts.

Vasu Dixit is one such musician from the current generation who has shown glimpses of the Purandara Dasa influence on his creations, through his solo sets and band Swarathma. In his latest effort, the songwriter picks one of the most profound and poetic of Dasa’s literary work and transforms into a five-minute composition accompanied by a music video, titled ‘Mullu’.

Born in the 15th century, Purandara Dasa played the most crucial role in the outreach of Carnatic music. With detailed basic lessons concerning the foundation of music, Dasa also carried the role of an educator quite effectively. The practice of social issues commentary through songs goes way back to Purandara Dasa, also forming the highlight of Dixit’s song. Several young and established artistes from the region’s community have utilised Dasa’s works for artistic pleasures, and Vasu Dixit has carefully chosen the time for his latest tribute to the great Purandara Dasa. Sung in Kannada, the song or the ‘kirtana’ (and its video) features the composer sitting on a stage with Ashwin Walawalkar on harmonium, Ranjan Kumar Beura on violin, Arijit Das on guitar and Abhishek Lakra on (synth) bass. Vasu Dixit has also co-directed the video with Abitha Anand.

With puppets moving according to the lyrics, the song ‘Mullu’ is a never-ending cycle of riddles, that as Purandara Dasa said that only Purandara Vittala (or Vishnu) knows the meaning of.