In celebration of this Navratri, we are thrilled to host a special interview with Vatsallya. This is a wonderful opportunity to dive deeper into her artistic journey, insights, and the spiritual significance of this festive season. Vatsallya is a recognized Sangeetha Upanyasam and Naama Sankeerthanam artist. Beyond her artistic pursuits, Vatsallya is also a qualified Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant, and Company Secretary. Her dedication to music and community engagement makes her an inspiring figure in the world of Harikatha and Naama Sankeerthanam. We look forward to celebrating her talent and passion during this auspicious time.
Can you share your journey into Harikatha and how you began this path while also pursuing a career in Chartered Accountancy?
I started rendering upanyasam at the age of 12 in 2011. I was in eight grade then. I had decided that I would take up Chartered Accountancy course at a very young age, probably when I was in my first grade. Since I loved to pursue both, I have never felt one of these to be hindering the other.
It was by chance that I started rendering Upanyasam. My Guru Shri. Anand Dayanidhi Bhagavathar used to narrate Ramayanam and Bhagavatham to us in our shloka class every Sunday. He also used to conduct various quiz out of the Kathas narrated. This went one step forward in 2011, when the committee members of our shloka class decided that children must also start narrating kathas like our guru.
I was very fond of narration from a tender age and my mother didn’t want me to miss this opportunity. The committee members also tapped the potential in me and chose me, along with a team of 7 children, to narrate various Kathas from Bhagavatham. This is how, Bhagavan chose me to render Vaachika Kainkaryam from then on.
How do you ensure that your Harikatha performances resonate with contemporary audiences while staying true to traditional narratives?
Our Sanathana Dharma is not only about the narration of some Katha but it is also about the essence and moral of those Kathas. Our system has been built up in such a way that we are taught how to lead a life not just by following a set of rules blindly but by also observing and extracting the true essence of various events/anecdotes happening in our day to day life. Sri Rama is not just the hero of the story Ramayana but is in fact considered to be the IDEAL MAN, the repository of virtues and a true personality whom every single man is expected to follow.
Hence, I generally try to link all the Kathas with our modern day life and try to analyze how each and every katha can affect, change and inspire us in our day to day life. Life is all about we being a better version of ourselves everyday. That is how we shall be able to relate to any katha or nayaka and shall be in a position to appreciate the literary work and the bhava filled in that work.
How does Bhakti influence your approach to Harikatha and Chartered Accountancy? Do you find that your devotional practice enhances your professional work?
There are a lot of traits which a bhaktha is supposed to possess, which Bhagavan Sri Krishna mentions in Bhagavad Geetha as well. But ultimately bhakthi is all about complete surrender. This bhava is essential everywhere whether it be the rendition of an Upanyasam or the conduct of an audit. I have felt that the kathas that I render is by, for and of Bhagavan.
It is by his grace that I am able to speak a few words or sing a few songs. It is only because of him that I get an opportunity to think of him as well. I apply the same principles in auditing profession as well where I completely trust his plans for me and entrust him with the responsibility of taking care of my profession. By this, balancing two completely different profession, which might seem to be extremely difficult, has been made easy.
Have you found any unique ways to integrate your accounting profession with your Harikatha performances? For example, do you use your analytical skills in storytelling or financial management in your practice?
Analytical thinking is something which is integral in our traditional curriculum. Nyaya Shastram is said to enhance an individual’s analytical, logical and argumentative skill. Similarly, by memorizing shlokas constantly, one’s memory power gets stronger. All these skills are required for CA profession as well and hence it goes hand in hand.
I have been greatly benefited by learning a lot of shlokas as it had strengthened my memory power as a student. The analytical or logical skills that I had acquired as a student of CA course, has been helping me in learning the basics of shastras. So I have experienced the integration in my life but I am yet to experiment it in Upanyasam.
Can you discuss the importance of connecting with a mentor or guru in the field of Harikatha? How can young aspirants find and benefit from such guidance?
It is extremely important to be directed by a guru. One can always say by going through the translations available, one can render any Upanyasam. But it shall remain to be a mere translation with little or no bhavam. For the essence of the Katha to be brought out and for correct interpretation of the Katha, every single upanyasaka needs the guidance of his/her Guru.
More than these logical reasons, Guru kataksham does wonders. It is only when guru is extremely satisfied with the shishya, does bhagavan acknowledge and accept the shishya. This is stated by Bhagavan Srikrishna as well in Bhagavatham. Hence it is important for any shishya to approach and learn properly from a guru. The difference can only be felt and cannot be explained.
Can you share a memorable experience or feedback you received from an audience member after a Harikatha performance?
A performance becomes success only when there is a good receiving audience. In all my performances, there will definitely be someone to listen the core values I present. Once at an old age home in Sholinganallur after my performance, the entire audience of elders stood up and blessed me for the performance. It was so delightful to receive such a blessing.
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