The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Women's empowerment through art

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 16, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Women's empowerment through art

B.V.S. Bhaskar

RAJAHMUNDRY: Enrichment of cultural values and empowerment of women can happen only at one place in the entire nation -- Kapileswarapuram. A rich village on the banks of the mighty Godavari, 35 km from here, it is considered a heavenly place, where one can hear Vedic chants from dawn to dusk, which keeps the mind and soul peaceful.

Not only hymns, but also soulful music and kruthis and sankeerthanas take one to another world.

In Kapileswarapuram, Harikatha, which is a popular traditional form of art in Andhra Pradesh and which lost its charm due to the invasion of the electronic media, is still alive.

The contribution of Sri Balusu Sarvaraya Educational Trust in running Harikatha Patasala (school) and Vedic school is exemplary.

Sri Sarvaraya Harikatha Patasala, which was started in 1973 is a place where girls are empowered with art, which will give them self-confidence and self-sufficiency. Hundreds of girls, mostly belonging to below poverty line families from different parts of the State, are taught the art not only free of cost but are also provided free board and lodging.

The four-year course in Harikatha and one more year of practical experience shape the students into talented artists. The Government pays a nominal stipend of Rs. 300 to each student and there are only 35 seats available in the school. "Boys can earn anywhere. But girls from poor families, who are not in a position to go for higher studies can pursue this course and stand on their own feet," says S.B.P.B.K. Satyanarayana, former Union Minister and Chairman of the Trust.

"My life changed after I came here. I gave stage performances in many places like Ujjain, Chennai, Bangalore and in different parts of the State. Financially I settled down and got married," says Sappa Bharathi, who completed the course in this school. She specialised in narrating Harikatha in Sanskrit.

Most of the students in this school are from Chittoor district, where Harikatha is a respected art. Students from Kolar (Karnataka) and other districts are also here.

K. Sikhamani, from this school, who later became an All India Radio artiste, gives dance training to students along with Harikathas. V. Uma Chowdary, principal of the school, who has 40 years of experience in this field, says all the needs of the students are attended to during the course and 95 per cent of the students, who have completed the course have settled down in their places after earning a lot from this art form.

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