INTACH Mangaluru launches World Heritage Week with harikatha performance

INTACH Mangaluru launches World Heritage Week with harikatha performance

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, November 19, 2024: The Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), in association with Kudla Arts, inaugurated World Heritage Week on Tuesday, November 19, at 5:30 p.m. with a captivating Harikatha performance titled ‘Vali-Sugreevara Kalaga’. The event, held at the Kodial Guthu Centre for Art and Culture, featured renowned Harikatha artist Haridasa Sheni Murali, accompanied by Sripathi Bhat Belleri on the harmonium and Kaushik Manjanadi on the tabla.

The week-long celebration, observed from November 19 to 25, aims to foster appreciation for India’s cultural heritage through various programmes, including talks and exhibitions that highlight the nation’s rich artistic and cultural legacy.

During the performance, Haridasa Sheni Murali explained the history of Harikatha, stating, “Though commonly associated with mythological tales of Lord Vishnu, Harikatha also narrates stories of other gods, episodes from the freedom movement, and the lives of great leaders. The underlying aim is to impart moral lessons to the audience.” His performance, a vivid rendition of ‘Vali-Sugreevara Kalaga’, was enriched with storytelling and detailed commentary.

Subhas Chandra Basu, Convener of INTACH Mangaluru, introduced INTACH and the objectives of World Heritage Week, while Akshatha R. Shenoy of Kudla Arts provided an overview of the organization and the evening’s performers. The artists were felicitated during the event.