What is "harikatha"

n. 1 (context literary English) "story of the Hari". 2 A form of Hindu religious discourse. The story teller explores a religious theme, usually the life of a saint or a story from an Indian epic.

Harikatha (Harikathe in Kannada), literally "flow of stories", also known as Katha Kaalakshepa (" Katha storytelling" - Spending time with kathe), is a form of Hindu religious discourse in which the storyteller explores a religious theme, usually the life of a saint or a story from an Indian epic.

Harikatha is a composite art form composed of storytelling, poetry, music, drama, dance, and philosophy. Any Hindu religious theme may be the subject for the Harikatha. At its peak Harikatha was a popular medium of entertainment, which helped transmit cultural, educational and religious values to the masses.

The main aim of Hari Katha is to imbue truth and righteousness in the minds of people and sow the seeds of devotion in them. Another of the aims is to educate them about knowledge of self (atman) through stories and show them the path of liberation.