Generally Harikatha is a form of Hindu religious discourse in which the storyteller explores a religious theme, usually the life of a saint or a story from an Indian epic.
1) Pandit Narayana Das (31 August 1864 – 2 January 1945) is known as the versatile genius of Andhra Pradesh. Born to Smt. Lakshmi Narasamma and Sri Venkatachayanulu. He was born in Ajjada village, near Bobbili, presently in Balijipeta mandal of Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh. His ancestors / fore-fathers were very famous and known for their Agni, Soma Yagas and Nitya Annadanas.
2) Narayana Das was a linguist with proficiency in as many as eight languages (Bengali, Tamil, Hindu, Urdu, English, Arabic, Sanskrit and Telugu). He was a scholar who had mastery over four classical languages (Sanskrit, Telugu, Arabic and Persian), was a poet, philosopher, playwright, composer, dancer, actor and the creator of the unique art form, Hari Katha.
3) Narayan Das translated from Persian and English into Sanskrit and Telugu; the only littérateur who wrote a comparative treatise on the works of Kalidas and Shakespeare; the only writer-composer who translated into Telugu and set to music Rig Vedic hymns and the only writer-composer who composed a geeta-malika comprising 90 Carnatic ragas. As a writer-composer who composed music in all the 72 Carnatic ragas he was next only to Tyagaraja.
4) Narayanadas was a natural poet, Ekasantagrahi, an authority in Vedas and used to recite puranas with music. He was also well versed with numerology and astrology. Though most of these were initially learnt under a guru, but mastered on his own. He was a fast learner, able to repeat with speed and clarity even difficult lessons in one hearing itself.
5) He was the first principal of the 'Sri Vijayarama Gaana Pathasala' a College of Music and Dance established in 1919 by the Maharajah of Vizianagaram. The Maharajah in fact established the Music College, which was among the first few in South India, to honour the Pandit and enable enthusiasts to learn music from him. Dwaram Venkataswami Naidu, the well-known Violin maestro, was a lecturer in the college during the Pandit's tenure and succeeded him as principal.
6) Once in Mysore, by sheer co-incidence Mysore Maharaja H.H. Sri Chamaraja Wadiyar happened to watch his performance. Very much impressed, he invited him to the Mysore Court. The durbar was prepared and elaborate arrangements were made to accommodate 600 plus high ranking officials, to watch Sri Narayanadas performance. Next day Dasu garu along with his brother Peranna were honourably escorted from residence to the court. The performance on that day was highly applauded by one and all. Maharaja offerred Narayanadas ''Aasthana Pandit'' but he simply declined and instead preferred to lead an independent life in the service of God.
7) His musical accomplishments left him peerless in his time. Maestros of the musical world honoured him with titles like Laya Brahma and Panchamukhi Parameshwara for his ability to sing to five different Talas, beat with the two arms, two feet and the head. Five different musicians used to keep time with him when he performed Panchamukhi.
8) Excited by his rendering of the Hindusthani Bhairavi raga, Rabindranath Tagore sought to introduce the curriculum followed by Narayana Das in his music college at Viswa-Bharati University in Shanthiniketan, West Bengal.
2) Narayana Das was a linguist with proficiency in as many as eight languages (Bengali, Tamil, Hindu, Urdu, English, Arabic, Sanskrit and Telugu). He was a scholar who had mastery over four classical languages (Sanskrit, Telugu, Arabic and Persian), was a poet, philosopher, playwright, composer, dancer, actor and the creator of the unique art form, Hari Katha.
3) Narayan Das translated from Persian and English into Sanskrit and Telugu; the only littérateur who wrote a comparative treatise on the works of Kalidas and Shakespeare; the only writer-composer who translated into Telugu and set to music Rig Vedic hymns and the only writer-composer who composed a geeta-malika comprising 90 Carnatic ragas. As a writer-composer who composed music in all the 72 Carnatic ragas he was next only to Tyagaraja.
4) Narayanadas was a natural poet, Ekasantagrahi, an authority in Vedas and used to recite puranas with music. He was also well versed with numerology and astrology. Though most of these were initially learnt under a guru, but mastered on his own. He was a fast learner, able to repeat with speed and clarity even difficult lessons in one hearing itself.
5) He was the first principal of the 'Sri Vijayarama Gaana Pathasala' a College of Music and Dance established in 1919 by the Maharajah of Vizianagaram. The Maharajah in fact established the Music College, which was among the first few in South India, to honour the Pandit and enable enthusiasts to learn music from him. Dwaram Venkataswami Naidu, the well-known Violin maestro, was a lecturer in the college during the Pandit's tenure and succeeded him as principal.
6) Once in Mysore, by sheer co-incidence Mysore Maharaja H.H. Sri Chamaraja Wadiyar happened to watch his performance. Very much impressed, he invited him to the Mysore Court. The durbar was prepared and elaborate arrangements were made to accommodate 600 plus high ranking officials, to watch Sri Narayanadas performance. Next day Dasu garu along with his brother Peranna were honourably escorted from residence to the court. The performance on that day was highly applauded by one and all. Maharaja offerred Narayanadas ''Aasthana Pandit'' but he simply declined and instead preferred to lead an independent life in the service of God.
7) His musical accomplishments left him peerless in his time. Maestros of the musical world honoured him with titles like Laya Brahma and Panchamukhi Parameshwara for his ability to sing to five different Talas, beat with the two arms, two feet and the head. Five different musicians used to keep time with him when he performed Panchamukhi.
8) Excited by his rendering of the Hindusthani Bhairavi raga, Rabindranath Tagore sought to introduce the curriculum followed by Narayana Das in his music college at Viswa-Bharati University in Shanthiniketan, West Bengal.
