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Sankranthi and a common sight in the villages is the Haridaasu with his
characteristic tambura in one hand and a chiratala (a musical wodden
instrument played with the finger tips) in the other and a copper vessel
on the head. The traditional haridaasu is seen going round the village
singing devotional songs in praise of the Lord and seeking alms from
every house. The word haridaasu comes from the Sanskrit
word daasa which means a servant or slave of the Lord (Hari).
According to a legend believed by the haridaasus, Lord Vishnu himself designated them as daasaris (servants of the Lord) and delegated them the work of propagating Vaishnavism. The Lord also decided their personality and provided them with the necessary paraphernalia. A haridaasu therefore carries a bhavanasi or copper vessel on his head to collect rice from the householders, as asking for alms is a condition imposed on the dasa by the Lord. He must also wear a tulasi mala, a garland made of tulasi leaves, dear to the Lord. He plays the tambura and the chiratala that provides the music and rhythm to the songs. Smeared
with sandalwood paste at different places on the body and a prominent
one on the forehead, with a flower garland around the neck, bells on the
ankles and attired in dhoti, the haridaasu goes round the villages
singing praises of the Lord. He renders popular devotionals written by
saint-poets like Bhadrachala Ramdas, Paramkusadas, Venkatadas and
Hanumaddas. There are different type of Haridaasus according to the
instruments they use and also according to the castes they belong. Hence
there are tambour Harridans, Gantt Haridaasus, chiratala Haridaasus,
komma haridaasus and Golla, Mala, Balija Haridaasus etc.
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