(“conversation”)
Recitation and explication of a religious text are the foundations of this kind
of public religious presentation.
The Ramcharitmanas, a rendition of the epic Ramayana penned
by the poet saint Tulsidas, are most often linked with Katha, although it may
also be used to explain other holy works.
Kathas may be presented in a variety of ways: the speaker
can go through huge sections of the text, provide comprehensive analysis and
commentary on a tiny segment of the text, choose passages from the text to
exemplify a certain subject, or provide a wholly spontaneous and free-floating
explanation.
Attending such concerts is not only aesthetically pleasant
for listeners, but it is also seen as a type of satsang or religious
fellowship.
These meetings were (and continue to be) one of the most
important methods for illiterate people to remember huge portions of these core
books.
For further detail, check Philip Lutgendorf's 1991 book The
Life of a Text.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.
