The 147th Jayanthi of the legendary Harikatha exponent Ajjada Adibhatla Narayana Das was grandly celebrated by his Prasishyas and admirers for three days at Sri Sivaramakrishna Kshetram, Vijayawada.
Besides being a colossus in the field of Harikatha Ganam , Narayana Das was a linguist and a scholar who wrote many Harikathas and a large number of books in several languages. A handsome man, he had a striking presence on the stage. The three-day treat for the Harikatha lovers was neatly organised by well known Bhagavathar Burra Sivaramakrishna Sarma and M. Krishnamohan. The first day's programme was dedicated to the memory of Neti Lakshminarayana Bhagavatar, one of the senior disciples of Narayana Das.
Speakers Malladi Suribabu, Neti Venkatappiah Sarma, Mulukutla Bramhananda Sastri and J. Prabhakara Sastri paid rich tributes to the great Bhagavatars. The Neti Lakshminarayana Bhagawatar award was presented to Tumuluri Lakshminarayana Bhagavathar. There were impressive Harikathas rendered by Bhagavathars S. Bharathi (Eluru), P. Dharma Rao (Kakinada), Y. Srinivasulu (Prodduturu), and M.V. Simhachala Sastri (Tirupati).
On the second day, which happened to be the birthday of Narayana Das, Gurupuja was devotedly performed by the Bhagavathars. This was followed by Harikatha rendering by bhagavathars Sriram Bhattar (Hyderabad), P. Sivalingam (Cuddapah), Y. Sikhamani and Mudapaka Balasunderam (Tadepalligudem). The day's entire programme was sponsored by M. Ravikishore, founder of Telugu Sampradaya Parirakshana Samiti.
The final day's programme was dedicated to late Rajasekharuni Lakshmipati Rao bhagavathar. Harikathas were rendered by bhagavathars Y. Sankar, M. Nagamani, K. Sarada and Kota Sachidananda Sastri. Homage was paid to Narayanadas by speakers Y. Lokanadha Sarma, M. Ravikishore, S.K. Kumar, M. Srimannarayana and P. Syamalanda Prasad.
The award instituted by T. Anasuyamm and Subba Rao was presented to K. Indirabala bhagavatarini of Chodavaram. Instrumental support to the Harikatha exponents was provided by P. Venkatarama Sarma, Y. Suribabu, P. Dakshinamurthy (violin) and M. Nagadhara Rao, K. Subba Rao, B. Sambasiva Rao (mridangam).
