Nandanar Charithram is a gift of Gopalakrishna Bharathi to the world of Carnatic Music, who was immortalized through this beautiful Tamil musical opera. The story of Nandanar is a very moving one comprising of only 37 verses in the Periya Puranam of Sekkizhar. Nandanar was a Harijan by birth who ultimately through his steadfast Bhakthi found a place in the temples of South India as one of the 63 Nayanmars Devotees of Lord Shiva. Periya Puranam narrates his visit to Tiruppungur, where at the command of the Deity the Nandi which was hiding the shrine moved to one side and allowed Nandanar to have a Darshan of the Lingam from outside the temple. Nandanar finally goes to Chidambaram where he gets salvation after a fire ordeal by the Dikshithars. Gopalakrishna Bharathi craftily introduces other characters like the Vediyar, Periya Kizhavan etc to build up a superb drama, Bhakthi being the dominant Rasa.

The Nandanar Charithram has been popularized by many Harikatha exponents on account of its immense emotional appeal with the audience. Listening to this Harikatha on Nandanar by Sri T.S. Balakrishna Sastrigal is thrilling and poignant, along with the melodious music of Gopalakrishna Bharathi's compositions in his inimitable voice.
A True Treasure to be heard, enlivened and preserved.

On Brahmasri T S Balakrishna Sastrigal (1919-2003)

Born in Thiruvidaimaruthur, near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, he began performing at the age of 23 and held sway over Harikatha Kalakshebam for over 6 decades. A former senior executive of State Bank of India, his very name was synonymous with this traditional art of story-telling.

With an amazing and unmatched command over the Vedas, Puranas, Sastras, classical music and a score of languages, he held the audience spell-bound with his flair, fervour, felicity of expression and a resonant voice. Among the countless titles and honors that were conferred on him, the title "Harikatha Rathnakara" bestowed on him by both the Paramachariyals of Kamakoti and Sringeri peetams simultaneously at Asthika Samaj, Chennai in the year 1966 stands out. Sangeetha Nataka Academy, Delhi honored him in1993. Music Academy, Chennai conferred on him the Sangeetha Kala Acharya Award in 1997.Tamil Nadu Government bestowed on him the Kalaimaamani title in 1972.