Pravacana

PRAVACHAN or PRAVACHANAM

Pravachan is a form of Hindu religious discourse, which are lectures on scriptures. A Pravachan Pandit becomes a spiritual interpreter of these Scriptures.

Pravachan on the other hand interprets slokas and scriptures and does not involve that much singing. Pravachans are usually on a religious theme, usually the life of a saint or a story from one of India’s epics. These discourses, seem to have a soothing effect on people's anxious nerves and serve as a security fallback for them. Pravachans can sometimes get very immotional. People who listen to Pravachans have become more tolerant of their brethren, a sense of giving has been inculcated in them.

South India has a long tradition of religious discourse. Religious scholars such as oduvars who were knowledgeable in religious scriptures used to render discourses in Temples and monasteries. Villuppttu, in which folk stories were told accompanied by a stringed intrument resembling a bow was also popular in Tamil Nadu. A form of Kalakshepa, in which the story teller, usually proficient in Carnatic music, interspaced the main story with music, dance and sub-stories, was also prevalent. Harikatha is a composite art form comprising of story telling, poetry, music, drama, dance, and philosophy. Harikatha[1] involves the narration of a story, intermingled with various songs relating to the story.

In the olden days Pravanchan pundits were often well versed in the Sanskrit language and educated and well trained in Veda Sastras and Vedanta. It is easier to listen to some pandit or purohit who is conducting a pravachan to understand some of the scriptures. Basically the Pandit elaborated on the significance of the sloka or scripture he reads and gives several bhavas and angles to look at a single verse.

Sengalipuram Muthanna Sastri[ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sengalipuram], Samartha Ramadas Swamigal, Paruthiyur Krishna Sastri[2], Sengalipuram Anantarama Dikshitar[3], were the pravachan experts of olden times.

Mannargudi Sambasiva Bhagavatar, Tanjavur T.N. Subramanya Bhagavatar and T.S. Balakrishna Sastrigal were Harikatha experts.

In Later years Ramakrishna Paramahamsa[4], Vivekananda [5]gave excellent Pravachans. Then it was Keeran, Krishnapremy gave catchy lectures. In the recent years Swami Dayananda Saraswati[6], Baba Ramdev[7], Sri Sri Ravishankar[8], Mata Amritanandamayi[9], Aniruddha Bapu, Asaram Bapu are few of the many spiritual gurus who draw huge crowds. Of late Jaya Raw, Vishaka Hari are popular.