Lakshmandas Velankar, a well-known Harikatha Vidwan, is an eloquent speaker, philosopher and writer. He is Disciple of Legendary Harikatha exponents, Santa Shree Bhadragiri Achyutdas and santa Shree Bhadragiri Keshavdas.

He was born in a small village “Hatyadka” of Mangalore District on 23-10-1939 as second child to Vedamurthy late. Krishan Ganesh Velankar and Rukminibai, in an orthodox chitpavan Brahmin family.His father was a well-known Vedic scholar. After his Brahmopdesha he started taking lessons of Veda from his grandfather Kamabali Narayan Bhat and learnt Astrology, Sanskrit, Kannada and Hindi, Marathi literature out of his own interest and never did formal schooling.

He came to Bangalore in 1960 and started studying Katha Keertan from Bhadragiri brothers. and served in all the activities with dedication at Dasashrama International Centre. His collobarative study of Harikatha with Achyutdas made him one of the revered artists of Harikatha.

As a Haridasa:

His First Programme was held in 1964 at Akhila Bharata Keertan Sammelan. Over the years he has given programs across almost all the districts of Karnataka, Hyderabad and Maharashtra. His vast knowledge in Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Bhagavatha and the Holy Saints of India enables him to present them in a unique style of Harikatha. His Expertise extends to Pravachana and Yakshagana.

As a Writer:

He was chief editor for the Monthly magazine “Dasavani”,published by Dasashrama International centre, and published many articles on harikatha and religion. His Book “Katha-Keerthana kale” (art of Katha keertan) is a first of its kind in the field of harikatha. He is accredited  with translating more than 80 books from Hindi to kannada, published by Geeta Press of Gorakhpur(U.P).He has also translated books from Marathi and Sanskrit, some of which ranges from more than 18000 pages.

 “Shreemad Bhagavata Pravachana”   is a book which is written and published by him recently. Apart from this he has written articles for many magazines and journals.

As a Guru and Guide:

He worked as a lecturer in Daasashrama International Centre’s Keerthana college for more than a decade and conducted workshops on Katha-Keerthana to guide the aspirants of the art. He has also served as a member of Karnataka State sangeet nritya academy , Governement of Karnataka. He has been honoured by many Instititutions, Matha’s and Temples .He has been awarded as “Karnataka -Kalashree” in the year 1999-2000 By the Govt of Karnataka.

He is a founder of  “Shadja Kalakendra” which is dedicated for the study of ancient arts like Harikatha and Hindustani classical music.

Even after all these awards and accolades he is very humble and keen in passing on the art to the next generation. In this endeavour he is still writing books to help the students of harikatha and to promote the art to reach the common people.

His works

Books written by Lakshamandas

• Katha keertan Shastra
• Srimad Bhagavata Pravachana
• Katha keertan siri (10 harikathas)
• Santa Darshana ( life history of Santa Bhadragiri Achyutdasji)
• Katha Keertan mala (11 harikathas)
• Santa Panchaka (10 Marathi saints harikathas) Part 1 and 2
• ‘Durga Saptashati Pravachana’
• Narada Bhakti Sutra
• Kathakeertan – Ramayana harikathas
• Bhagavatada hattu harikathas
• Poorvanga Samucchaya – Harikatha peethikas
• Jeevana Ujjivana – biography of Lakshmandas Velankar

Books published by Geeta Press Gorakhpur (U.P)

Large books

• Sri Bhagavadgeete – Sadhaka Sanjeevini part 1 & 2
• Sri Bhagavadgeete – Tatvavivechani
• Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana Part 1 & 2
• Srirama charita Manasa
• Adhyatma Ramayan
• Valmiki Sundarakanda
• Sartha Jnaneshwari
• Devi bhagavata (brief)
• Shivapurana (brief)
• Valmiki Ramayana in 3 parts

Medium

• Jnanayogada Tatva
• Karmayogada Tatva
• Bhaktiyogada Tatva
• Amrita Bindu
• Bhagvadgeeta anvayapada cchedha
•  Bhagvadgeeta Artha sahita
• Bhagavat Prapthi Kathnavalla
• Bhagavat Prapthi Heegaguvudu
• Praacheena Bhaktaru
• Naraneemeehataa
• Aadarsha Bhaktaru
• Bhakta saptaratnagalu
• Shreeshamabhata Hanumaan
• Bhagavan Shree Krishna
• Bhakta Chandrikaa
• Bheeshma Pitaamaha
• Mahaatma Vidura
• Premibhakta Uddhava
• Ramayanada Adarsha patragalu
• Mahabharatada Adarsha patragalu
• Samsaradalli hegirabeku
• Amulyasamayada sadupayoga
• Striyara kartavya
• Tande tayi gurugala bhakta balakaru
• Navadha bhakti
• Mahileyarige margadarshana
• Sharanagati
• Eshavasyopanishat
• Vishnu Sahasranama (Satika)
• Karmada rahasya
• Geeta mahatmya kathegalu
• Sadhana navaneeta
• Bhagavat praptiya sugamate
• Bhagavantana idu avaasa shtanagalu
• Bala shiksha
• Geeta madhurya
• Narayaneeyam
• Stotra ratnavali
• Manobhodhe

Chitravali

• Om nam Shivaya
• Navadurga
• Dashavatara
• Jaihanuman
• Pradhana devategalu
• Bhagavatada Pradhana patragalu
• Rajaram
• Sriram
• Balaram
• Srikrishna
• Muduukrishna
• Gopal
• Mohan
• Adarsha deviyaru
• Pracheena rushigalu

Packet size

• Bhagvadgeete
• Gajendra Moksha
• Shivamahimna stotra
• Hanumat stotra-Hanuman Chalisa

Marathi Books

• Bharhmachaitanya maharaja pravachana
• Yogavidya pravachana Part 1 & 2
• Patanjalara klesha karma meemamsa
• Kolhapur Mahatyme
• Yogasutradalli Indriya avayava vigyana