Harikatha - The Oral Tradition (Singing out the story, keeping it alive)

The oral tradition is what has kept so much of knowledge alive in the Indian sub-continent, over ages when print was unknown. From the Vedas to myths, traditions, life skills and popular folklore, poetry and songs have combined to keep the stories colourful and interesting. Every region in India developed its own peculiar style of narrative and music, with local bards adding flavour and new dimensions to the story.

There is the Kathakalakshepa (literally meaning 'time spent listening to stories') at temples and weddings. The Purana Pravacha is prevalent in many states in India it means 'expounding the Puranas'. Andhra Pradesh has the Burrakatha, a gypsy way of telling folk stories. Tamil Nadu has the Villu-pattu or 'song of the bow' (mostly folk tales in the form of songs). Then there is the Harikatha or Harikeertan which means receiving the blessings of Lord Hari through stories told to musical compositions. The Harikatha, incidentally, has many versions - each state and language having made it their own, with variations and styles.

If you remember some of your grandmom's tales - that of Prahalada listening to the scriptures that Lord Narada expounded even while in his mother's womb; or that of Luv-Kush singing out the story of their parents, the Ramayan, at their father Sri Ram's court at Ayodhya - you will realize that this oral story-telling tradition has been Incorporated in the very tales that they tell.

A Harikatha narrative is very much like our Indian films -  a story is quickly narrated, then there are bursts of song to give emphasis or colour to the narrative. There will be plenty of little stories within the main story. and sometimes, the story-teller gets really inventive and adds his own touches, sometimes humour. sometimes romance and sometimes even a fight! A Harikatha exponent is accompanied by other singers, there is a percussion instrument like a mridgangam, and cymbals to keep beat as well.

As a race, we Indians like plenty of action, colour and excitement. The tradition continues with the Harikatha on stage at auditoriums and sabhas instead of the village squares or within the confines of a temple as it used to be before.

And then, there has been the biggest adaptation of them all, thanks to the big screen that is cinema. Though most traditional oral story-telling styles are based on mythology, our cinema has gone one step further and created its own myths. That's perhaps why, Indian cinema is so different from its Western counterparts - our storytelling tradition gets reflected there with plenty of music, songs, drama and fights - a modern day Ramayan!