CHENNAI: Our rich cultural heritage makes us feel resplendent with joy and satisfaction, especially when our arts have bhakthi as their theme. Harikatha, which is an ancient form of story telling , is considered as the best form of spreading the bhakthi movement. The fact that three eminent harikatha exponents of yesteryears like Muthiah Baghavathar, Chidambara Baghavathar and Embar Vijaya Raghavachariar were conferred with the title of Sangeetha Kalanidhi by the Music Academy bears testimony to the pre-eminence of this form.
It is no wonder Kalyanapuram Veeraragahavan, who hails from a family with musical antecedents, had an opportunity to perform along with his father Raju Vadhyar as a vocal support in Harikatha expositions, got submerged in Embar Swamigals performance. It is learnt that Embar Swamigal motivated Kalyanapuram Veeraraghavan to become a Harikatha artiste — this Harikatha vidwan, winner of many titles and awards has choreographed many musical features such as Sri Krishnam Vandey Jagadgurum, Pibare Rama Rasam, etc. Recently presented at Sri Thyagaraja Vidwat Samajam Bhadrachala Ramadas. The story in the Harikatha pattern was presented succinctly, narrating the story and connected anecdotes, from the life of various seers such as Kabir, Thyagaraja, Azhwars etc, when he narrated how saint Kabirdasar appeared in the trance and bestowed him with Rama Shadakshari, which made him more devoted to lord Rama and how he became a very staunch devotee of lord Rama, when he was imprisoned for default in payment of the revenue to the nawab, was rendered with philosophic reflections and humour.
Veeraraghavan, chose appropriate ragas in his presentation and rendered with unique exultation of the spirit, echoing the tatva, a wonderful presentation, indeed. It is now the ardent desire of the discerning art lovers that such Harikatha exponents are recognised on par with other musicians and other artistes, which would encourage this art and stimulate interest in this art form which was a pride of our motherland, in yesteryears.