Published Jul 14, 2026 | 6:36 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2026 | 6:36 PM
Screengrab of the performance. (X/@HateDetectors)
Synopsis: A Harikatha artiste has apologised after remarks about the 8th century philosopher Adi Shankaracharya made during a performance at Udupi’s Sri Krishna Mutt in Karnataka drew criticism and went viral on social media. The performers allegedly presented an unapproved Harikatha in which they made claims about Adi Shankaracharya’s origins and teachings, prompting objections from followers of various Shankaracharya Peethas and religious organisations.
A Harikatha artiste in Karnataka’s Udupi district issued a public apology on Tuesday, 14 July after allegedly making objectionable remarks about the 8th century Hindu philosopher Adi Shankaracharya during a performance at the Rajangana of Udupi’s Sri Krishna Mutt last Saturday went viral on social media.
The remarks drew criticism from followers of various Shankaracharya Peethas and religious organisations.
In a statement, Uday Kumar Saralebettu, Diwan of Paryaya Shiroor Mutt, said the artistes, Ankita Naik and Gauri Pandurangi, had been granted permission to stage a one-hour Bharatanatyam recital and a one-hour Harivana Seva programme at the Rajangana.
They, however, also presented a Harikatha, Bhakta Prahlada, which was not included in the approved programme.
During the Harikatha, the artistes reportedly said that demons who had won the favour of Bhimasena were reborn in the Kali Yuga to propagate the philosophy of Nirguna, or formless divinity. They also said that a demon named Manimantha, after obtaining a boon from Lord Rudra, was born at Kalady as Shankara.
The artistes also reportedly said that Adi Shankaracharya advanced doctrines contrary to the teachings of Sage Vedavyasa, propagated the idea of Jagat Mithya and taught that there is no distinction between God and the individual soul, leading ev
A Harikatha artist has issued a public apology following a controversy over remarks about Adi Shankaracharya made during a performance at the Rajangana (royal courtyard) of Udupi Sri Krishna Matha.
In a video message, the artist said there was no intention to insult anyone and… https://t.co/WlfeabKMns pic.twitter.com/KJS7nbGpRE
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) July 14, 2026
en righteous people to accept those beliefs.
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The Paryaya Shiroor Mutt said it had asked the two performers to apologise and expressed regret over the episode.
In the video statement apologising for the incident, one of the artistes, Pandurangi said they had no intention of insulting or defaming anyone and had only referred to passages from the book Shrimad Vijaya Sara Sangraha. She said the remarks reflected what they had read in the book and were not intended to speak ill of any person or tradition.
She also said no one from the Madhva tradition had taught or instructed them to make the remarks, adding that they had spoken solely on the basis of the book’s contents. Pandurangi further said that neither the Udupi Mathas, the Shiroor Math nor any other Mutt was connected with or responsible for the content of the Harikatha.
“If our words have hurt people of another faith or tradition, I sincerely apologise for that,” she said, adding that she sought forgiveness from anyone who had been deeply hurt by the remarks.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
