Tirupati, September 5, 2013: A statue of ‘Harikatha Pitamaha’ Srimadh Ajjada Adibhatla Narayana Dasu was unveiled by film director K. Viswanath at Sri Venkateswara College of Music and Dance, here on Wednesday. The programme was conducted to mark the 149th birth anniversary of the ‘Harikatha’ exponent.

Mr. Viswanath said that Narayanadasu was responsible for reviving the traditional art ‘Harikatha’ which is interlaced with three components - music, dance and literature. “Narayana Dasu propagated ‘bhakti’ literature and Hinduism with his unique story telling style,” he added. Mr. Viswanath urged the students to follow Narayanadasa’s life as inspiration.

TTD Executive Officer M.G. Gopal compared Adibhatla Narayanadasa to a ‘walking university’.

He also praised the work of Mr. Viswanath in highlighting the traditional arts and culture in his movies. Mr. Gopal assured that TTD would extend support to develop the Harikatha department in the college. Later, a Harikatha book ‘Srinivasa Kalyanam’ was released by Mr. Viswanath, who was felicitated by the EO with a memento and Tirumala ‘prasadams’.

Joint Executive Officer K. S. Srinivasaraju, Chief Vigilance and Security Officer G.V.G. Ashok Kumar, Devasthanam Education Officer P.V. Sesha Reddy, Music College Principal Challa Prabhavati, teachers and students took part in the event.

Source: The Hindu, September 5, 2013