Jimmy Meets Johann Strauss Sr.
Jimmy Meets Dieterich Buxtehude
Jimmy Meets Purandara Dasa
Jimmy Meets Niccolò Paganini
Jimmy Meets Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Jimmy Meets Alexander Scriabin
Jimmy Meets George Gershwin
Jimmy Meets Antonio Vivaldi
Jimmy Meets Clara Schumann
Jimmy Meets Georg Philipp Telemann
Jimmy Meets Franz Schubert
Jimmy meets Maria Theresia von Paradis
Jimmy Meets Beethoven
Jimmy & the Magic Key
Jimmy Meets Purandara Dasa
The singing saint of Karnataka
Jimmy & the Magic Key was generously contributed to Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay by Roger Parellada Ferre.
Jimmy & the Magic Key follows Jimmy and his niece Lola on a magical, time-travelling adventure through the world of classical music. With the help of Jimmy's piano, which also doubles as a time machine, they journey into the past to meet some of the greatest composers in history—and lend a helping hand when they need it most!
What matters most in life? Is it piles of money? Shiny jewellery? Or… is there something even more precious?
When Purandara Dasa gives up all his riches to spread kindness through music, Jimmy and Lola join him on a magical journey across India to discover what true happiness really is!
Purandara Dasa (1484 – 1564)
Say it like a maestro: (Poo-run-da-rah Dah-sah)
A long time ago in Karnataka, South India, there lived a wealthy man named Srinivasa Nayaka. His parents were successful merchants who traded gold, silver and precious jewels. When they passed away, Srinivasa took over the family business. Although he was rich, he was known for being very greedy and not generous with his wealth.
Legend has it that one day, the god Krishna appeared before him, disguised as a poor old man. He begged Srinivasa for money, but Srinivasa refused and even mocked him.
The old man then visited Srinivasa’s wife, who was kind and generous. She secretly gave him her precious nose ring. A little later, the old man sold the nose ring back to Srinivasa, who instantly recognised it as his wife’s. Srinivasa was furious and rushed home, demanding to see her nose ring to prove she had not given it away.
Realising that her secret donation had been discovered, Srinivasa’s wife became very frightened. She prayed to Krishna for help. She was so afraid she even thought of ending her life with poison. But when she looked into the cup, she was amazed to find her nose ring lying inside it, identical to the one she had given away. Krishna had worked a miracle!
She told her husband the whole story, and he was bewildered and deeply moved. How could a ring of gold appear out of nowhere unless it was a message from above?
That moment changed Srinivasa’s heart as he realised that life was meaningless without kindness. At the age of 30, he gave away all he had to the poor and decided to devote his life to music and god. He took on a new name—Purandara Dasa.
Purandara Dasa travelled across India, composing and singing songs that taught people how to live good and honest lives. During his lifetime, he wrote tens of thousands of songs about kindness, honesty and love for god.
He also created a new and organised way of teaching Carnatic music, a classical music style from South India. This teaching system is still used today! Because of this, people call him the Sangeeta Pitamaha, which means “grandfather of Carnatic Music”.
Through his music, Purandara Dasa reminded everyone that the best way to live is with a pure heart, a cheerful smile and a beautiful song on your lips.
Dive deeper into the beauty of Indian arts and culture at Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2025, happening from 21 – 30 Nov 2025.
Discover the beauty of nature and life in Circle of Life, an enchanting puppetry performance, or head over to PIP’s PLAYbox to hear the exciting story of Prithvi’s Adventure – The River Wonderland!
Unscramble the letters to test your knowledge of Purandara Dasa!
