Swami Purushottamananda

Swami Purushottamananda (14 June 1931 – 25 February 2005) is an ever remembered monk of the Ramakrishna Mission. He was a prolific writer and orator in Kannada. He was a melodious singer as well.
Biography.
Birth.
Swami Purushottamananda was born on 14 June 1931 at Moodahadu, a village near Saligrama in the undivided district of Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka as Ramachandra Bayari. He completed matriculation and served as a teacher in Malpe and Madikeri.
Work as Sannyasi of Ramakrishna Mission.
He joined the Ramakrishna Order in 1960 as a brahmacharin at Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama (presently Ramakrishna Math), Bangalore. He was an initiated disciple of Swami Yatiswarananda, the then president of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bangalore and the Vice President of the Ramakrishna Order. He, as brahmachari Mukunda Chaitanya, underwent probationer's training at the Belur Math, headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission for two years.
He served at the Bangalore centre (now known as Ramakrishna Math , Basavanagudi)for about 33 years (up to 1993), and managing several of its activities, including Vivekananda Balaka Sangha and Vivekananda Yuvaka Sangha (the twin organizations for the character development of youth).
During May 1993 – November 2000, Swami Purushottamananda served as the President of the Ramakrishna Saradashram at Ponnampet, Kodagu; and conducted a number of spiritual retreats and other programmes. The shrine and the prayer-halls were renovated and Sadhu-nivas (monks' quarters) constructed.
In November 2000 he took over as the President of the newly affiliated Ramakrishna Mission ashrama at Belgaum. The historic building in Belgaum, where Swami Vivekananda stayed in 1892 for 12 days, was gifted to the Ramakrishna Mission by the Govt. of Karnataka. Swami Purushottamananda was instrumental in renovating this building, and constructing the Ramakrishna Universal Temple in the adjacent land in January 2004.
He has authored several books, mainly in Kannada, including three biographies: on Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. One of his famous books — "A letter to a student", focuses on students elaborating various techniques to help them achieve all-round excellence. The biography of Vivekananda won him the "Vishwamanava" literary award of the De.Ja.Gou. Trust.
The Swamiji was instrumental in the setting up of several voluntary organizations, Satsangs, as well as independent Ramakrishna Ashramas throughout Karnataka. He took a very active role in the Ramakrishna Mission activities — through his discourses, bhajans, and Satsang programmes. He is also well known for his singing and composing the bhajans, and for inspiring others to take monastic vows.
His music.
Swami Purushottamanandaji had one of the most enchanting voices and could transport the satsang into a spiritual trance.
Here are some of the songs sung by him.The best Bhajanas sung by him were Shraddeya sarovaradi, Tayi durgeya, kabir doha "Theertha yaatrage" etc.
Death.
Swami Purushottamanandaji died on Friday 25 February 2005 at the Narayana Hrudayalaya, due to a massive heart attack at the age of 73.