Can you describe the tradition of performing Parayans and Saptahs, including its history and the types of texts used?

The practice of performing Parayans (readings) and Saptahs (weekly recitations) is described as a very ancient tradition with roots going back to the Vedic era. As mentioned in Chapter 0, these recitations are commonly held for great Sanskrit works like the Vedas, Bhagavata, and Ramayana. This tradition also extends to revered Marathi works such as Shri Dnyaneshwari and Shri Dasbodh. The text highlights that these practices are not limited to biographies but also include spiritual and worldly knowledge texts. The most suitable format for these recitations is considered to be detailed poetic works.