Industrialist Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetti publishes a book in Chennai. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
The transcript of Harihara Leela Vilasam, a dance drama written by Melattur Venkatrama Sastrigal in Telugu and Sanskrit, was released in Chennai on Saturday by industrialist Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetti.
He appreciated the efforts of the former principal of Madras Sanskrit College NV Devi Prasad in reproducing them without losing their originality.
Recalling his long association with the Melattur Bhagavatha Mela, he said that ten stories including Rukmini Kalyanam, Parvathi Kalyanam and Sita Kalyanam were presented by artistes even today in the same traditional manner at Melattur during April-May. The ten-day festival begins on Narasimha Jayanthi, he added.
Former DGP R. Natraj, who received the first copy of the book, said that the Bhagavatha Mela has been conducted for more than 500 years without a break by a group of artistes to spread the message of Srimad Bhagavatham.
“The script in Telugu and Sanskrit and also in Grantha lipi is read, interpreted and performed. The problem is that in Grantha lipi there are many scripts explaining the drama, thala kattu and songs, but very little to interpret and translate. Mr. Prasad took pains to translate into Sanskrit and Telugu,” he said.
Ganesh Sharma, founder of Sri Mahaperiyava Anusham Trust, Mr. Prasad, industrialist KV Ramachandran and Mahalingam, disciple of Balu Bhagavathar, founder, Melattur Bhagavata Mela Natya Vidya Sangam graced the occasion.
Published – 22 Dec 2025 0:50 AM IST
