Smt. Jayanthi Savithri is an Bhagavatharini (Harikatha artist) of TTD propagating the "Pada Kavithas" of Annamacharya in the form of Harikatha. Though she joined TTD in 1992, Jayanthi has been in the Harikatha field since 1976. She holds a diploma in Harikatha and Carnatic vocal (1976-1982) from Sri Sarvaraya Harikatha Gurukula, Kapileswarapuram, East Godavari Dt. In Andhra Pradesh. Her Gurus are Sri Rajasekharuni Lakshmanarao and Sri Vadlamani Narasimha Dasu who is a direct disciple of Sri Adibhatla Narayana Dasu, the "Harikatha Pithamaha".
What are the origins of Harikatha?
Harikatha originated first by Narada, he sung Dhruvacharitram at Brahmaloka. Later, Ramayana was told by Valmiki to Lava and Kusha. They propagated Ramacharitram in Ayodhya.In Kaliyuga, Harikatha took the form of “Yakshaganamâ€. In the 19th century, Sri Ajada AdiBhatta Narayanadasugaru created Harikatha ganam traditionally. Narayanadasugaru combined music, literature, dance, and action, with some comedy, and purana parignanam, and also covered Bhakthi tatvam, so he is honored as the Harikatha pitamaha.
How did you become interested in this form and how long have you been performing?
My grandfather’s, and parents had learned music and Harikatha ganam, so it was in the family already. So, I joined in Sri Sarvaraya Harikatha gurukulam in Kapileshwaram in East Godavari District, AP. The school’s founders were Sri S.B.P.B.K. Satyanarayana Rao and Srimati Rajarajeshwari. I started my performances with a Harikatha diploma and with music diplomas from 1976. My gurus who taught me were Sri Vadlamani Narasimha Das, Sri R. Lakshmipati Rao, and Sri Gudipati Bhaskara Ramarao. So now I have been performing for 40 years. I have been selected as an A grade Harikatha artist in All India Radio Vijayawada. I can perform Ramayana, Mahabharata, Baghavata, Vaggeyakara, and many devotees’ stories. My titles are Harikatha Kadaka Raja Hamsa honored Sri Sankara Matam at Vijayanagaram, and Harikatha Ratna by Sri Rajarajeshwari Sanskrit College Vemulawada, Karimnagar District.
What should be the qualities of a Harikatha artist? How long does it take to master this technique?
A harikatha artist should be a good singer, and should also be able to read and write very well. It takes ten years to get a master’s degree in this artform.
You have visited Boston in the past? How do you find the response here?
The Boston people are very devotional, and have a deep admiration of Harikatha ganam. The Boston group is one of the biggest protectors of Harikatha ganam.
Have you created your own compositions? Can you share with us the process of the work it requires to do it?
Yes I have composed the Durga Devi Mahathyam, and Sri Krishna Tulabaram, Sri Krishna Bhakthi, and MathruSri Tharigunda Vengamamba. When I compose a new Harikatha, I take the story base from the puranas.
Finally, what is the status of this art form in India? Are they many young people interested in it?
There are 1000 performing Harikatha artists in Andra Pradesh today.There are many colleges in India that are teaching Harikatha ganam, and many of the young people in India are very interested to learn this art form. Sri Venkateshwara Music and Dance College Tirupati, and PotiSriramulu University in Hyderabad are some of the colleges teaching Harikatha ganam to the younger generation.
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