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  Hari Katha (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.  It is a sacred art form very similar to the Western art of oratorio. Its purpose is to spread devotion to the Divine. Hari Katha 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 subject matter for Hari Katha.

  The tradition of Hari Katha is both very influential and very old. It has enabled the 'Great Tradition' of Hinduism to be spread, not only around  India, but to learned and unlearned alike. From a functional point of view, not only does it instill devotion to the Divine, but it also transmits culture, socially educates, imparts values, and provides entertainment, all at the same time. The greatness of Hari Katha 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.

  Hari Katha is a well-defined art form presenting a story or caritram in a given order, with certain songs and musical forms sung at particular places, interspersed with scriptural quotations. The songs may be in Sanskrit, Tamil, Marathi, Telegu, Hindi, or any other regional language. Hari Katha commences with an invocation and the singing of God's name. This introductory part of a katha also contains a brief statement of the underlying philosophy of the main story or of some general philosophical truth or truths. The second part, which is the main body, is the story itself. Included in the discourse are namasankirtan or song responses where the audience may participate.

About Mark Choplin & Terra Tiffany

     At age 22, Mark started a pilgrimage that included Amritsar, Benares, Kathmandu, Dakshineshwar, Puri and many other places in India.  He stayed at a temple of Udasis in Simla, and with Satya Sai Baba at Putaparti.  Drawn south he found his way to Arunachala and the Sri Ramana Ashram at Tiruvanamalai.  There he developed meditation skills and also studied Patanjali yoga on his own.  Feeling a need for completion he was directed to Anandashram in Kerala and met Mataji Krishnabai, a disciple of the spiritual luminary Papa Swami Ramdas.  She taught him nam (repetition of God's name), Bhajan (singing devotional stories), and seva (self-less service).  There he began devoted to the path of love for the Divine or Bhakti yoga.  Then Mark began his pursuit of Bhajan, music theory and drum. He studied table with Aloke dutta, of West Bengal.  He has been blessed with many visits to India returning to Anandashram and has accompanied local story-tellers from Tamil Nadu (Jaya Krishna Dhiksheetar, of Sengalipuram) and from Gujarat, (Shree Purushotamdas-ji, disciple of Murari Bapu).  And with their blessing holds storytelling programs in India and America reciting Hari Katha in English and gives workshops on related topics.

  Desire was kindled in Terra's heart after reading "In Quest of God" and "Guru's Grace".  This transformation and the experience of Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas' grace created a sincere longing to go on pilgrimage to Mother India.  Eventually she manifested her longing and travelled to India.  After being blessed with the encouragement and guidance of Sri Swami Satchidananda, Jaya Krishna Dhiksheetar, Swami Bhoomananda, and Beloved Bhandas-ji Maharaj, she learned to play and sing many of the traditional songs and stories.  She had the unique opportunity to study Carnatic vocal Sangeetham with her teachers Vishnu and Usha Bhat, of Kerala.  Terra became keenly interested in the Hari Kathas of South India after being graced with the presence of Sri Swami Jaya Krishna Dhiksheetar.  Language had no barrier during his transmission, the feeling and sound of these sacred stories and bhajans penetrated her entire being with Divine bliss.  Terra's internal pursuit, skill and dedication have led her to share her devotion to the stories and accompaniment of Hari Katha as a service to humanity.