As the winter sun pierces through the fog, the tuneful rendition of a ‘Haridasu' from Sundarakanda or Bhagavatam makes an auspicious beginning for people.
Dressed in an attire unique to the art form, with an ‘akshaya patra' on the head, a ‘tambura', and ‘chidatalu', the Haridasu is not only a symbol of our culture and tradition, but also the one who ushers in the festive spirit associated with Sankranti.
THE MISSION
However, thanks to rapid urbanisation and the craze for Western culture, the tribe of Haridasus is fast becoming extinct. M. Trimurtulu of Narayanapuram Colony near Elamanchili in Visakhapatnam district is among the handful in the district.
“It is not an easy task, for it requires lot of commitment,” says Dasu, father of Trimurtulu.
“We take the deeksha during Dhanurmasam and it lasts a month up to Bhogi. Our day starts at about 4 a.m. After offering prayers, we set out singing the glory of the Lord and return only in the evening,” says Trimurtulu, who imbibed the ‘bhakti sampradayam' from his maternal grandfather Kandula Adinarayana.
The response from people of the city, particularly youth, is what amazes them. “The devout and those keen on listening to the keertans treat us with respect,” they say.
“After Bhogi, I worship at the Bhadrachalam temple and perform ‘annadanam'. The rest of the year, I work as a security guard and sell clothes,” says Trimurtulu.
Not just during Dhanurmasam, a few Haridasus such as Trimurtulu are also adept at giving ‘Harikadha' performances, another art form that is almost extinct.
“On invitation, I perform during temple festivals and other auspicious occasions in my village,” says Trimurtulu.
