Harikatha
Harikatha (Kannada: ಹರಿಕಥೆ : Harikathe; Telugu: హరికథ : Harikatha; Marathi: हरीपाठ : Haripatha, lit. 'story of Lord Hari'), also known as Harikatha Kaalakshepam in Telugu and Tamil (lit. 'spending time to listen to Hari's story'), is a form of Hindu traditional discourse in which the storyteller explores a traditional theme, usually the life of a saint or a story from an Indian epic. The person telling the story through songs, music and narration is called a Haridasa.
Harikatha is a composite art form composed of storytelling, poetry, music, drama, dance, and philosophy most prevalent in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka and ancient Tamil Nadu. Any Hindu religious theme may be the subject for the Harikatha. At its peak Harikatha was a popular medium of entertainment, which helped transmit cultural, educational and religious values to the masses. The main aim of Harikatha is to imbue truth and righteousness in the minds of people and sow the seeds of devotion in them. Another of the aims is to educate them about knowledge of Ātman (the self) through stories and show them the path of liberation.
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In Hindu mythology, the first Harikatha singer was sage Narada who sang for Vishnu, other prominent singers were Lava and Kusha twin sons of Rama, who sang the Ramayana in his court at Ayodhya.[1]
History
This is an ancient form that took current form during the Bhakti movement in around 12th century. Many famous Haridasa are
The Telugu form of Harikatha originated in
Style
Harikatha involves the narration of a story, intermingled with various songs relating to the story. Usually, the narration involves numerous sub-plots and anecdotes, which are used to emphasize various aspects of the main story. The main storyteller is usually assisted by one or more co-signers, who elaborate the songs and a Mridangam accompanist. The storyteller uses a pair of cymbals to keep the beat.
Famous exponents
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2008) |
Following Krishna Bhagavatar, other great exponents of this art form such as Pandit Lakshmanachar, Tirupazhanam Panchapakesa Bhagavatar, Mangudi Chidambara Bhagavatar,
Recent practitioners of Harikatha include Veeragandham Venkata Subbarao, Kota Sachchidananda Sastri,
]Paruthiyur Krishna Sastri started out as a Harikatha exponent and then changed to Pravachan style.[citation needed] One of the best harikatha renderings is on the life of saint Tyagaraja by Mullukutla Sadasiva Sastry from Tenali.[citation needed]
See also
- Burra katha
- Carnatic music
- Katha - The Art Of Story Telling In India
- Kirtan
- Oggu Katha
- Pravachan
Notes
- ^ Singh, p. 2118
- OCLC 13505520.
- ^ Deepa Ganesh (12 February 2015). "She paved the way". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
Sriram V. records F.G. Natesa Iyer (in 1939) as saying: "Saraswati Bai is a pioneer, and today, as a result of her sacrifices…. Brahmins and non-Brahmins walk freely over the once forbidden ground. C. Saraswati Bai has achieved this miracle."
References
- Singh, N.K. (1997). Encyclopaedia of Hinduism, Volume 3. Anmol Publications. ISBN 81-7488-168-9.
- Arnold, Alison (2000). "Kassebaum, Gayathri Rajapur.'Karnatak raga'". The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: South Asia : the Indian subcontinent. ISBN 0-8240-4946-2.
- Harikatha: its origins and development, by Kalaimamani B. M. Sundaram. Publisher Vidwan R.K. Srikantan Trust, 2001.
- Datta, Amaresh (2006). The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Devraj To Jyoti), Volume 2. ISBN 81-260-1194-7.
- Harikatha : ISBN 81-86569-76-6.