Harikatha (lit. stories of the Lord) is the exposition of a religious theme, usually the life of a saint or a story from one of India's scriptural texts.  Its purpose is to spread devotion to the Divine.  Harikatha is a composite art containing story-telling, poetry, music, drama, dance, and philosophy. 

Any story about God, or scriptural incidents, or about saints, who are the living exemplars for the existence of God, is an appropriate subject matter for Harikatha.  The greatness of Harikatha lies in the fact that it provides one of the easiest, if not the easiest path to attaining lasting happiness and peace.  Listening to stories about Divinity and divine individuals subtly makes the mind attached to, and permeated by Divinity. 

As one continues to listen to the stories of the Divine, one becomes pure in thought, word, and deed.  As well, it cultivates one's power of concentration and drives away doubt from a wavering mind.  Not only does a katha please its listener, as other fine arts do, but it also comforts the mind and elevates the soul of the listener.  Thus, as it entertains, it enlightens. 

REVIEWS

The book on Harikatha is absolutely fantastic with a lot of information on the subject. There are not many books on Harikatha and this will serve as a resource book on the subject
The Dhananjayans
Bharatakalanjali - Chennai

The present publication arrives on the scene offering a scholarly in-depth study of the source material and thereby providing an invaluable asset to future generation of students and researchers in the field of Harikatha
Nandini Ramani
Managing Trustee,
Dr. V. Raghavan Centre for Performing Arts, Chennai

Meera Grimes, is ideally qualified to write this book as she herself is a Harikatha exponent. In this book she traces the origin of the art, the changes it has undergone, the part played by various saints in the evolution of the art, and also gives transliteration and translation of the Dasabodha of Samartha Ramdas. ..The book gives interesting facts about Harikatha as practiced in Tamil Nadu. .. A handy guide book and historical accounts add to the interest quotient.
The Hindu
16th Sept 2008

Meera Grimes (Balameera Chandra) is a recognized authority and exponent of Harikatha…The author presents selected verses on the theory of Harikatha from Samartha Ramdas’s Dasabodha, which is the only recognized historical text to evolve the theory of Harikatha. The author gives the stories of great Maharashtra saints. This book is a valuable survey of this endangered art and hopefully may spur readers to attend performances to keep the tradition alive.
Mountain Path
Ramanashrama, Chennai