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Adibhatla NarayanaDas
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Master of Melody and Literature
By Yanamandra Venkata Krishnaiah
Adibhatla Narayana Das is a name that resonates
deeply with Harikatha, a traditional Indian form
of storytelling. Born to Venkata Chayanulu and
Lakshmi Narasamamba, on 31 August 1864, in Ajjada, a
small village on the shores of Suvarnamukhi in presentday Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, Narayana
Das emerged as a multifaceted talent. A poet, vaggeyakara,
musician, litterateur, linguist, and the creator of the modern
school of Harikatha, his legacy is unparalleled.
Das’s journey began with an extraordinary gift of memory and language. Fluent in Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Sanskrit, Bengali, English, and Telugu, he maintained the purity of Telugu in his writings. His destiny took a defining turn in 1883 when he witnessed Kuppuswamy Naidu Bhagavatar’s (from Madras) Harikatha performance of Dhruvacharitra. Inspired, he embarked on a path that saw him revolutionise this traditional storytelling art form.
Revered as the ‘Adibhattu’ of Harikatha literature and the ‘Kavisamrat’ of poetic renditions, Narayana Das’s storytelling was a mesmerising blend of anecdotes and the navarasas, drawing audiences into the heart of his performances. His work epitomised the confluence of music and literature, encapsulated by the Sanskrit saying Sangeetamapi sahityam Saraswatyaah stanadwayam.
Das’s performances were more than mere recitals; they
were experiences that captivated both the learned and the
common folk. Known as ‘Laya Brahma’ for his command
over rhythm, he often left his accompanists, particularly
mridangists, in awe. His ability to compose and perform in
complex talas like Panchamukhi and Shanmukhi showcased
his exceptional rhythmic prowess.
A master of various art forms, Das played the veena and was a poet in multiple languages. His knowledge spanned logic, grammar, sastras were evident in his numerous literary works. His Harikatha sessions, filled with dance, smiles, leaps, and chants of “Sambho,” were legendary, often starting late at night and continuing into the early hours.
' Lakshminarayana & Subbayya Das 10.JPG)
Narayana Das’s talents did not go unnoticed by the royalty
of his time. Impressed by his performances, the Maharaja of
Mysore gifted him a veena and even recorded his voice on
a phonogram, capturing the essence of his art for posterity.
Ananda Gajapati Maharaja of Vizianagaram appointed
him as the ‘Asthana Vidwan’ of the royal court. But, Das
declined the offer, choosing instead to lead an independent
life devoted to spiritual services.
Narayana Das’s talents did not go unnoticed by the royalty of his time. Impressed by his performances, the Maharaja of Mysore gifted him a veena and even recorded his voice on a phonogram, capturing the essence of his art for posterity. Ananda Gajapati Maharaja of Vizianagaram appointed him as the ‘Asthana Vidwan’ of the royal court. But, Das declined the offer, choosing instead to lead an independent life devoted to spiritual services.