Bhadragiri is a place located at Dakshina Kannada district in coastal Karnataka. The place attained worldwide fame due to Bhadragiri Achutha Das known for propagating Hindu religion through the musical form of religious discourse called Harikatha Kalakshepam.
Achutha Das belonged to the Bhadragiri village in Udupi Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. Born in the year 1932 to Venkataramana Pai (father) and Rukminibai (Mother) – a humble Goud Saraswat Brahmin couple, as their second son, he had his initial education only up to the primary stage.
Later he learnt music and studied the Hindu scriptures including the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas.
Achutha Das performed his first Harikatha on February 21, 1951 on the auspicious day of Shivratri.
He gave his discourse in Tulu, Kannada, Hindi, Konkani and Marathi all over India.
He also wrote on Yakshagana and Harikatha.
Gitastha-cintane in Kannada is his major literary work. He has also written a number of devotional songs.
He also preached the philosophical ideas of Harivamsa, Ramayana, Mahabharata and other epics. In order to popularize the diminishing art of Sankeerthana among people, Achutha Das along with his brother the late Bhadragiri Keshav Das had organized various conventions. In recognition of their services, they were bestowed with ‘Sant’ title.
Achutha Das had won several awards including Kannada Rajyotsava, Kanaka Purandara, Paryaya Prashasthi from Pejawar Swamiji, award from Sri Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji of Sri Kashi Math and several others.
In 1955, during Chaturmasya Vratha in Sri Venkataramana temple in Udupi, Sri Sudhindra Tirtha Sripada had honoured him with a 'peta.'
Sant Bhadragiri Achutha Das died of heart attack at his residence in Rajajinagar Bangalore on Tuesday, October 22, 2015.