Visit to Thenambakkam and Kalavai - Two important places one should never miss.

Visit to Thenambakkam

Thenambakkam is less than 10 Kms from Kancheepuram.

Brahmapuriswarar Temple is situated here. The presiding deity is Brahampuriswarar, which is a Swayambhu Lingam. 

Generally, Somaskanda is a particular form of representation of Lord Shiva with his consort Parvati and Skanda as a child on the laps of Parvati. 

But the speciality in this temple is that Somaganapathi is the form of representation of Lord Shiva with his consort Parvati and Ganapthi as a child on the laps of Parvati instead of Skanda. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, behind the Lingam, in the background, you will find the form of Somaganapathi (Shiva, Parvati, and Ganapathi) and Adi Sankara.

Apart from the main Sannadhi of Brahmapuriswarar, the sannadhis of Ananda Dakshinamoorthy, Chandrasekara Ganapathi, Navagrahas, Kaalabhairavar are also there. There is a separate Sannadhi for H.H. Mahaperiyava, which has been constructed additionally. There is a Veda Patashala too functioning here, where students learn and chant vedas regularly. 

Significance of this place:-

Mahaperiyava (H.H.Jagatguru Sri.Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Maha Swamigal 68th Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam) lived inside this temple for long, for a period of more than one year and performed penance/tapasyA. 

H.H. Mahaperiyava lived in a small room close to the temple premises and never came out of the room for a year. 

There is a small well inside the room itself and a cement tub for washing. There are two rectangular openings inside this room. One was meant to serve Bhikshai to Mahaperiyavaa and through the other opening Mahaperiyava used to have darshan of two sannadhis namely;a) the sannadhi of Ganapathi and b) the sannadhi of Ananda Dakshinamoorthy. It's Ananda Dakshinamoorthy because, he has a smiling face. The sannadhi of Ganapathi has been named as Kaarya Siddhi Chandrasekara Ganapathi. Mahaperiyava's nayana deekshai continuously fell on these two deities and hence they have gained lot of significance.

The Brahmatheertham, where H.H. Mahaperiyava had his snaan and performed anushtaanams, and the place near Ananda Dakshinamoorthy, where  H.H. Maha periyava performed Vedanta Vichaaram, and Bhaashyapaatham are all close by to this temple, within the temple compound.

This place is serene and a visit to this place assures the blessings of H.H. Mahaperiyava to all the devotees.

Some of images captured in this place are given below.

Visit to Kalavai

Kalavai is a small town about 50 Kms from Kancheepuram on the Kancheepuram-Cheyyaar-Arcot State Highway Road, closer to Arcot. The State Highway Road is very good for driving. From Kalavai, Ranipet Circle on the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway, is somewhat closer.

Significance of this place:-

This is the holy place where (H.H.Jagatguru Sri.Sri. Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamigal 68th Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam) (H.H.Mahaperiyavaa) accepted Sanyasa Ashrama in 1907 and remained as an incumbent of the Peetam till 1994.

The Adhishtanam and Brindavanam of:- a) 66th Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, H.H. Jagathguru Sri Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamigal (Parameshti Guru of H.H. Mahaperiyavaa) 1891-1907, and b) 67th Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, H.H. Jagathguru Sri Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati Swamigal (Parama Guru of H.H. Mahaperiyavaa) 1907, are situated here.

It is important to note that the 67th Pontiff H.H. Jagathguru Sri Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati Swamigal occupied the position/was an incumbent of the Peetam, only for 7 days.

In between the two Brindavanams of the 66th and 67th Pontiffs, one finds a stand alone Tulsi sapling growing, which they say represents the Mahaperiyavaa as he had originally wished his adhishtanam here, but his Brindavanam was made inside Kanchi Mutt, Kancheepuram. 

This place too is serene and a visit to this place not only assures the blessings of H.H. Mahaperiyava but also the blessings of his Gurus too, to all the devotees.

Some of images captured in this place are given below.

Exploring Temples in and around Chennai

Part-1

Temples dedicated to Ichha Shakti, Jnana Shakti, and Kriya Shakti

In Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam, Verse #130 states "Ichha Shakti-Gnana Shakti-Kriya Shakti- Swaroopini.

The Divine Mother Shakti - Sri. Parvathi, Sri Lalitha Tripurasundari is portrayed as the Tri-Shakti.

Ichha Shakti represents Power of Will.

Gnana Shakti represents Power of Knowledge.

Kriya Shakti represents Power of Action.

The Tri-Shakti temples are located in and around Chennai. These temples are historic, traditional, and legendary and worthy of a visit and darshan.

Thiruvudai Amman represents Ichha Shakti.

Vadivudai Amman represents Jnana Shakti.

Kodiyidai Amman represents Kriya Shakti.

Temple dedicated to Ichha Shakti

Thiruvudai Amman Samedha Thirumanangeeswarar Swami (Lord Shiva - Swayambhu Lingam. Earlier known as Sugandavaneswarar and later on over time, Lord's name changed to Tamil name Thirumanangeeswarar.)

This temple is located at Melur Village, near Minjur, a suburb of Chennai. Ennore Port and Vallur Thermal Power Plant are nearby Melur. Minjur is the nearest town. Melur is well connected by good road. Container Trailers traffic is horrible on this road.

Temple dedicated to Jnana Shakti

Vadivudai Amman Samedha Thyagaraja Swami (aka) Adhipuriswarar Swami.

This temple is located at Thiruvottriyur, Chennai. The temple complex is quite sprawling and spread over a large area.

There are many interesting sannadhis here. Adhipuriswarar Sivalingam is very unique and is made of sand. They apply only a specific oil to this lingam and abhishekam is not performed. Thyagaraja Swami like Somaskandar is in a sitting posture and abhishekam is performed to this idol. Vadivudai Amman Sannadhi attracts huge crowd.

Tamil Saivaite Saint Pattinathaar attained Jeeva Samadhi in this temple. One of the big four Nayanmars and Tamil Saivaite Saint Sundarar married Sangili Nachiyar in this temple. This temple is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Temple dedicated to Kriya Shakti

Kodiyidai Amman Samedha Masilamaniswarar Swami (Lord Shiva - Swayambhu Lingam)

This temple is located at Thirumullaivoyal, Avadi, Chennai.

This temple is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar, Saint Vallalar (aka) Ramalinga Swamigal and Saint Arunagirinathar have sung hymns in praise of Lord.

Sandal paste is applied to the Shiva lingam on all days. The Sannadhis of Ambal and Swami are interchanged in this temple, which is an uncommon position of the deities. The Nandi in the outer prakaram, instead of facing the Lord, faces the eastern entrance, as ordained by the Lord, which is unique.

An Ode to my Parents

When my father passed away on 18-Jan-2003, at 78, he left behind my mother with us. So we could carry on by feeling  the vacuum only partly. Now my mother too has left us for heavenly abode on 03-Feb-2016 at 82, after 13 years after my father's death. We feel total vacuum in our lives now. We abundantly feel the absence of our parents. We now realize the difference between leading life with parents and leading life without parents. One realizes at some point in one's life, how the parents shape our lives, how they teach us values and morals, how they inculcate religion and bhakti in our minds, and how they pass on traditions and beliefs to us. Many a times, parents set an example before us to follow.

I have spent initial 22 years as a student with my parents, and then as a young bachelor for 6 years. Subsequently after marriage, along with my wife, I have spent 29 years with my parents as a joint family.  Thus personally I have ended up spending 57 years of my life with my parents. This arithmetically proves how much I miss my parents now.

Saint Thiruvalluvar composed Thirukkural in Tamil between 2 BCE and 5 CE with 1330 couplets. Kural in Tamil means short couplet with a total of 7 words, 4 in the first line and 3 in the second line. What Twitter has designed in the 21st Century,  by restricting the tweets to 140 characters, Saint Thiruvalluvar had introduced Kural concept even in BCE.

Shri. Gopalakrishna Gandhi, a former administrator, diplomat and Governor of WB, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and daamaad of Shri. Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari, who also happens to be my father's contemporary and former colleague in TN Raj bhavan, in his recent book "Thirukkural" has wonderfully translated all the 1330 couplets into English. (This book is in my current reading list. I met him at the Hindu Litfest after many years). I am quoting a few relevant couplets from his book on this somber occasion.

"On Impermanence"

331) "That life's tree will always be in leaf. Is a foolish and fond belief."

334) "The day, I see, as a day, of course, but also another way. As a fine-toothed saw that saws life down day by day by day."

336) "Here today, gone tomorrow. Fun today, tomorrow sorrow. Wondrous indeed is this odd world".

337) " None can tell if she or he will last the day today. And yet we go, fools that we are, planning and plotting away".

338) "As the restive bird, singing abandons it nest. So the soul flees the body, tired of being its guest".

339) "Death's but a nap' says old wisdom. But birth?  A break in the soul's freedom".

340) "The soul is a wanderer, a wanderer is she. She sits in the body, just waiting to flee".

Going back to my parents, both my parents belong to the Sub-sect of "Pazhamaaneri Brahacharanam" a South Indian Hindu Brahmin Aiyer family from Thanjavur. My father's native is Thiruvaiyaru and my mother's native is Ranganathapuram, both in Thanjavur Dist. Their relations were settled and spread in Onbathuveli, Thirukaattupalli, Koothur, and Vishnampet Villages around. The Tanjore culture will be evident and marked in our tradition, style, culture, religion, food, and language.

My forefathers starting from my grandfather were all Doctors/Surgeons by medical profession in the olden days. In those times, there were no qualified medical professionals. My great-great grandfather Vaidyam Subbaiyer and his grandson Swaminathan and his great grandson Natarajan were all in medical profession during their times.

My father migrated to Chennai during the British rule and joined the Legal Secretariat of the British administration. Subsequently he was posted to the Governor's Secretariat in Tamilnadu. He then accompanied Governor Shriprakasa, (the then Governor of TN when Shri. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari was the CM of TN) to Bombay when he was transferred as the Governor of Maharashtra. My father spent more than 6 years in Bombay and then returned to home cadre in TN, back to Raj Bhavan in Chennai.  I was born to my parents when they were in Bombay.

By serving 14 Governors at a stretch in Raj Bhavan TN for more than 3 decades, he grew from position to position and reached the pinnacle of his career as the Secretary to the Governor of TN. He was virtually the brainwork behind the Governor in those days both in administration and writing speeches for various Governors. He had handled President's rule in TN twice in his career. He made himself indispensable in his position during his times. He did not want both his sons to opt for government service.

My father is an assiduous self-made man, a voracious reader and built a legion of literary, philosophic, religious, science, and non-fiction books at home. He had a variety of Dictionaries for his reference. During his time, there was no Google. He has left behind a legion of his books as his legacy which I preserve and cherish. I imbibed my reading habit from my father. He was a lover of fountain pens and had a myriad collection of it.

My mother was 14 years when she was married to my father, who was 23 years at the time of his marriage. She delivered the first male child (my elder brother) when she was 15 years. My mother, from being a humble home maker, suddenly was exposed to Bombay culture with her Parsi family neighbors and forced to learn and speak Hindi when she lived in Bombay. Then she had to move with VVIPs and VIPs along with my father in his career. She nicely got herself adjusted to all this and picked up a lot of confidence, courage and exposure in her life. Later both my parents spent about 12 years with me in New Delhi when I had to shift to Delhi to take up a bank job. I can never forget the Badrinath and Kedarnath pilgrimage and trip to Shimla, Manali and Kulu with them along with my daughter, who was a small child then. My daughter spent a lot of time playing with her grandparents, who were very fond of her. When my daughter was born, my father composed a poem describing her as a Rajakumari. (Princess) But unfortunately he did not survive to see my daughter going to USA for study and career. But she carried his abundant blessings with her. Fortunately my mother survived then to see off my daughter going abroad. She took great pride and pleasure to see her grandsons and granddaughter going to USA. She was always fond of her grandsons, great grandson, grand daughter and great granddaughter. We performed Kanakabhishekam to our mother in 2008 on the occasion of the birth of great grandson who is her straight fourth generation.

We are now left only with their memories, which we go on recollecting every now and then incident after incident. I can go on extolling the honor of my parents veritably in this blog in order to eulogize and enliven their memories. But mainly I am writing this blog for posterity. I am picking up this quote from my father's handwritten quote.

 "People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors. Respecting your forefathers, you would have been taught to respect yourselves." ~ Edmund Burke.

May my parents souls rest in peace! May God give us the strength to bear this loss! Life must go on.

Award Waapsi by the Write Wing

The return of the awards by the write wing of creative people and intellectuals in India is making every day news today in the print media as well as the television media. The statistics indicate that more than 40 writers and stage personalities have returned the awards given to them by the Sahitya Academy and Sangeet Natak Academy.

Most of them have cited the reasons namely, a) Dadri killing incident of an individual by a mob sparked of by beef eating, b) recent killing of some fellow writers in Karnataka and Maharashtra, 

c) perceived curbing of freedom of speech and expression, and d) inaction by the respective Academies in raising a protest.

With due respect to these so called creative people and intellectuals, I must say that they have shown their "herd mentality" as they all have behaved in a similar fashion by returning the awards, following one writer. They are guilty of not standing out and appearing different among their group mates. Not even one writer or artiste could think differently to raise his or her protest. No one has objected to their protest by imposing any bans.

In this context, I'm reminded of the story of "Cap seller and the Monkeys". I'm sorry to say that these intellectuals have behaved just like the monkeys in the story by throwing the caps down. Just like the monkeys chose not to apply different logic. These creative writers have also chosen not to think differently and apply different logic. I feel very sorry for them.

Several moot points (not mute points) come to my mind :-

1) If one can analyze the incidents of the recent/distant past in India, a) killing of writers in India during UPA regime in the center, b) riots in Muzaffar Nagar, U.P, Assam, and riots against Sikhs in New Delhi c) massacre of Kashmiri Pandits and driving them out of J&K, d) Book bans, e) Film bans, f) banning the entry of authors into India, g) breaking out of scam after scam and corruption scandals during UPA regime perpetrated by the political bosses and their political allies. What were these writers doing at that point of time? Why didn't they protest at that point in time? Why all of them kept eerie silence in the past? It is sad that no clear answer is available to any of these questions.

To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men. - Abraham Lincoln.

2) Why are these award returnees showing selective outrage and blaming the Central Government instead of the State Governments which are responsible for the law and order in their states. Assam, U.P. and Karnataka are ruled by non-BJP governments. Why these writers are not showing their ire on these State Governments for their failures and instead turning their ire on Central Government?

3) Why these creative intellectual class is highly biased in their views and opinions? Are they not supposed to maintain balance and remain unbiased? Why are they contributing to Pseudo secularism? Pseudo secularism is a failed concept in India. There is no point in pursuing it?

4) Why are they showing disrespect to their respective Academies' when they have been chosen for issue of awards as mark of respect to their contribution in public life and for their creativity and unbiased intellectualism?

5) Is there a cultural change happening in the minds of these intellectuals who have been used to congress led rule of India for nearly six decades and they are unable to adapt and adjust to change towards the present BJP political dispensation? This is an attitude problem.

By their act of returning the awards, by showing selective outrage, by exhibiting biased views and opinions, and by following the herd mentality, the image of all these writers has definitely gone down in the eyes of the common man and general public of India.

Today, India's demography can be categorized into five positions as under:-

1) Extreme Left

2) Left of Center

3) Center

4) Right of Center

5) Extreme Right

At the Center position, there is only a minority of people like the Judiciary, Seasoned Parliamentarians who are Statesmen, Intellectual People with wisdom who are unbiased, Saints and Gurus (the real and not fake ones) and well educated leaders in various fields.

The extreme left and right positions are dominated by the fringe elements present in every group of people who don't speak English but speak their native regional languages, and who are less educated. These fringe elements are swayed by their respective political masters.

The left of center and the right of center are moderate positions which are predominantly occupied by the following classes of people:- Journalists from both print media and television media, the socialites active on social media, the English speaking elite of India, Educated Middle class, Historians, Artistes, and Musicians.  

The politicians have divided the people of India either to the left of center or right of center by using them as their vote banks.

The NDA government at the center has obtained the massive mandate of the people of India and they need to be given time to govern and work for the development of India and improvement of Indian economy. Their performance will be judged by the people of India at the end of five years.

Such acts of award waapsi by the write wing look to me only as a deflection for selfish interests and self-importance and is not going to help anyone including themselves.

The time has now come for building the public opinion. The educated general public cannot remain mute spectators to the various issues and incidents in India. Thanks to the individual freedom of expression and speech granted by the Constitution of India, the educated and informed general public needs to voice its opinion through the social media platform.

Some relevant Quotations:-

A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history. - Mahatma Gandhi

You 're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or who says it. - Malcolm X.

As long as the world shall last there will be wrongs, and if no man objected and no man rebelled, those wrongs would last forever. - Clarence Darrow 

Story of Abhirami Pattar (aka) Subramania Iyer & Significance of Abhirami Anthadhi.

Story of Abhirami Pattar

Subramania Iyer (aka) Abhirami Pattar (Late 18th Century and Early 19th Century)  was a Hindu priest cum saint from a village called Thirukadayur in Tamilnadu.

He is the author of a collection of hymns (verses) dedicated to Goddess Abhirami called "Abhirami Anthadhi" which was spontaneously composed by him on the spur of the moment with intense devotion and sung in praise of Goddess Abhirami to invoke her blessings.

Subramania Iyer was born to Amirthalinga Iyer in the village of Thirukadayur in Tamilnadu in the Brahmin Agraharam which was established by the famous Maratha King Serfoji Bhonsle-1 (Sarabhoji Bhonsle-1).

Since his childhood, Subramania Iyer was drawn to Goddess Abhirami and became an ardent devotee. He would all the time keep meditating upon the Goddess, singing in praise of the Goddess, and was fully immersed in utmost devotion. He then started seeing all the women in the village as Goddess Abhirami and showered flowers on them. As a result, the people in the village started calling him as a madman.

Raja Serfoji Bhonsle-1 (Raja Sarabhoji Bhonsle-1)was the King of Thanjavur in Tamilnadu. (1675- 1728)  Raja Serfoji Bhonsle-2 (Raja Sarabhoji Bhonsle-2) ruled Thanjavur from 1798-1832.

King Serfoji Bhonsle-1 (Sarabhoji Bhonsle-1) not only patronized but also was a great admirer of Bards in the State of Tamilnadu.

There is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the village of Thirukadayur called Amirthaghateswarar-Abhirami Temple. In this temple, Lord Shiva is also called as Mrityunjayar as he had annihilated Lord Yama in order to bless the kid saint Markandeyan and save him from death. After saving Markandeyan, Lord Shiva gave punar-janma to Lord Yama to enable him to perform his worldly duties. In this temple, the male folks in Tamilnadu on reaching the age of 61 years, perform for themselves "Sashtiabdhapoorti" praying for longevity of their lives.

One day Raja Serfoji Bhonsle-1 (Raja Sarabhoji Bhonsle-1) the King of Thanjavur visited the temple at Thirukadayur. On noticing the peculiar behavior of Subramania Iyer, the King enquired about him with other temple priests. Some of them told the King that he was a madman. While others told the King that he was an ardent devotee of the Goddess Abhirami and a Bard.

Seeking to know the truth, the King approached Subramania Iyer and asked him what day of the month (Paksha Thithi) it was? Subramania Iyer replied instantaneously to the King that it was Pournami (Poornima) Thithi. (Full Moon Day). Whereas in reality, it was Amavasya Thithi (New Moon Day). Subramania Iyer was in a state of trance at that moment and was meditating at the glowing face of the Deity Abhirami and instantly mistook it as Full Moon. (Pournami). The King was annoyed at the misbehavior and intolerable mistake of  Subramania Iyer and announced the punishment that his head be cut off, if the moon did not appear in the sky that night.

Subramania Iyer soon came out of the state of trance he was in and immediately realized his mistake and lit a huge fire and erected a platform over the fire supported by 100 ropes. He sat upon the platform and started to pray to Goddess Abhirami by instantly composing and singing the  "Abhirami Anthadhi" comprising of 100 hymns (verses). He would cut off one rope after singing one hymn (one verse). By cutting the ropes one by one after singing each hymn, he was descending into the fire below the platform.

Subramania Iyer completed singing  78 hymns (verses) in succession and cut 78 ropes and was closing in into the fire.

When Subramania Iyer completed the 79th hymn (verse), a great miracle had happened, Goddess Abhirami appeared before him and blessed him. Then the Goddess threw her Thadanga (diamond ear ring) on the sky and it shined as a full moon with bright light on the horizon to the amazement of people gathered around him.

Subramania Iyer was in ecstasy  and was overwhelmed, he offered his prostration to the Goddess and continued to compose and sing 22 more hymns (verses) in praise of Goddess Abhirami.

The King repented his mistake in imposing death penalty on Subramania Iyer and immediately withdrew the same. The King then bestowed the title "Abhirami Pattar" on Subramania Iyer.

Significance of Abhirami Anthadhi

Abhirami Anthadhi is a brilliant piece of modern Tamil literature.  It contains 100 hymns (verses).

The term "Anthadhi" refers to the particular style of composition wherein each new hymn (verse) begins with the same word that was used in the end of the previous hymn (verse)

After reciting the 79th hymn (verse), the Goddess Abhirami appeared before Subramania Iyer.

In the Tamil film "Adhiparasakthi", 24th hymn (verse) was chosen to show the appearance of the Goddess Abhirami in the film. But in reality it was the 79th hymn (verse) which triggered the appearance of Goddess Abhirami before Subramania Iyer.

In Thirukadayur temple, every year on the Thai Amavasya day ( New Moon Day in January) is celebrated as the day on which Goddess Abhirami appeared before Abhirami Pattar. All the 100 hymns (verses) are recited before Goddess Abhirami on that day in the Pooja performed in the night.

I dedicate this blog to my wife who recently turned 50, and whose native place is Thirukadayur.

 79: விழிக்கே அருள் உண்டு, அபிராம வல்லிக்கு, வேதம் சொன்ன 

வழிக்கே வழிபட நெஞ்சு உண்டு எமக்கு, அவ்வழி கிடக்க, 

பழிக்கே சுழன்று, வெம் பாவங்களே செய்து, பாழ் நரகக் 

குழிக்கே அழுந்தும் கயவர் தம்மோடு, என்ன கூட்டு இனியே?

அபிராமியின் விழிகளில் என்றும் அருளுண்டு. வேதமுறைப்படி அவளை வழிபட எனக்கு நெஞ்சமும் உண்டு. ஆகையால் பழியையும், பாவத்தையுமே விளைவித்து, பாழ் நரகக்குழியில் அழுந்தி வாடும் பேதையர்களோடு எனக்கு இனி என்ன தொடர்பு? (அபிராமி அன்னை சிறந்த துணையாவாள்).

24: மணியே, மணியின் ஒளியே, ஒளிரும் மணி புனைந்த 

அணியே, அணியும் அணிக்கு அழகே, அணுகாதவர்க்குப் 

பிணியே, பிணிக்கு மருந்தே, அமரர் பெரு விருந்தே.- 

பணியேன், ஒருவரை நின் பத்ம பாதம் பணிந்தபின்னே.

அபிராமித்தாயே! மணியாக விளங்குபவளே! அம் மணியில் உண்டாகும் ஒளியாகவும் விளங்குபவளே! ஒளி பொருந்திய நவமணிகளால் இழைக்கப்பட்ட அணியாகவும், அந்த அணிக்கு அழகாகவும் திகழ்பவளே! நின்னை அணுகாதவர்க்குப் பிணியென நிற்பவளே! நின்னை அண்டிவரும் பாபாத்துமாக்களின் பிணிக்கு மருந்தாகவும் நிற்பவளே! தேவர்களுக்கு பெரும் விருந்தாய்த் தோன்றும் அன்னையே! நின் அழகிய தாமரை போலுள்ள சேவடியைப் பணிந்த பின்னே, வேறொரு தெய்வத்தை வணங்க மனத்தாலும் நினையேன்.

நூற்பயன் 

ஆத்தாளை, எங்கள் அபிராம வல்லியை, அண்டம் எல்லாம் 

பூத்தாளை, மாதுளம் பூ நிறத்தாளை, புவி அடங்கக் 

காத்தாளை, ஐங்கணைப் பாசங்குசமும் கருப்புவில்லும் 

சேர்த்தாளை, முக்கண்ணியைத், தொழுவார்க்கு ஒரு தீங்கு இல்லையே.

எங்கள் தாயானவளை, அபிராமி வல்லியை, எல்லா உலகங்களையும் பெற்றவளை, மாதுளம் பூப்போன்ற நிறத்துடையவளை, உலகமெல்லாம் காத்தவளை, திருக்கரங்களில் மலர் அம்புகள் ஐந்தையும், பாசத்தையும், அங்குசத்தையும், கரும்பு வில்லையும் வைத்திருபவளை, மூன்று கண்களையுடைய தேவியைத் தொழுவார்க்கு ஒரு தீங்கும் நேராது; உலகில் வளமும் நலமும் பெற்று வாழ்வர்.

If Delhi is the political capital and Mumbai is the financial capital of India, then Chennai qualifies to be the cultural capital of India.

The title of my blog is neither a hyperbole nor an expletive. I have been closely following the cultural events happening in Chennai. As a bon vivant Chennaiite, I have gone through an exhilarating experience of the cultural events held in Chennai. I'm writing this blog as an aficionado, as an obsequious rasika, as a keen listener, and as a true seeker. My objective is not to compare Chennai with any other city, but to highlight the cultural strengths of Chennai and its people.

For the sake of perceiving the cultural scenario in Chennai, I would like to classify the cultural events held in Chennai under the broad four categories namely, 1. Music, 2. Dance, 3. Drama, and 4. Discourses. Each of this category is an inclusive category. Without any prejudice, I am keeping out Cinema from the above classification of cultural events purely with an intention to cover only performing arts. But I have included film music under the category of music as it (especially old film music) forms part of the presentation format of cultural events.  

Just to elaborate on the four categories, Music includes Carnatic classical, Nama Sankeerthanam, Hindustani classical, Devotional, Bhajans, and Film music. Dance includes all forms of classical dances like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Mohiniattam and Odissi. Drama includes historical, spiritual, and contemporary comedy. Discourses include spiritual, biographical, and religious both in English and Tamil.

Chennai is a culturally strong city. It is the most happening city in terms of cultural events. The cultural events happening in Chennai in a year and then year after year are of a gargantuan range and magnitude.  If you open "The Hindu" newspaper and check the columns "Arts & Events" and "Chennai Today Events", you will realize the truth. Thanks to "The Hindu" Newspaper who give a very fair coverage to the cultural events in Chennai.

What makes it possible is the proactive role of various Sabhas & Trusts in organizing the events. Organizing alone does not ensure success of the events unless it is patronized by a large number of audience. Kudos to the culturally conscious and the  enthusiastic Chennaiites, whether young or old, irrespective of their caste or creed, they extend their unflinching patronage and support to all these cultural events. The veritable performances presented by various artists in their respective fields stand testimony to the creativity and brilliance in rendering the cultural events. The events are presented not only by veteran artists but also by upcoming, young talented artists. The young and old artists get equal opportunity to perform at the events. The eclectic performing artists create a format for an event by exquisitely designing it and presenting it in a variety of ways which makes it alluring for the audience. The ebullient audience get immersed in ecstasy.

In Chennai, the Carnatic music festival held in the months of December and January every year is a major festival organized by all the Sabhas. It still attracts huge audiences not only from India but also from foreign countries. This event is followed by a Dance festival organized by all the Sabhas in mid-January during Pongal season. Even during the summer months of June-July, Bhakti Sangeet Utsav, and Pallavi Durbar Utsav are held every year. Nama Sankeerthanam Utsav is held every year in October-November and in February. Discourses and Satsangs are held throughout the year on Sri Bhagavat Gita, Srimad Bhagavatham, Srimad Mahabharatam, Srimad Ramayanam and Bhakta Vijayam. Dramas are held throughout the year by different Sabhas. In addition to these, during festival times like Gokulashtami/Krishna Jayanthi  in August and Sri Rama Navami in March-April every year, music events and discourses are held by different Sabhas. Apart from these events, the Sabhas in Chennai organize monthly events for its members and non-members regularly every year. Therefore, the Organizers (Sabhas) the performing artists, and the audience remain busy and active throughout the year.

The notable features of cultural events are:-

1. Traditions are meticulously followed by the organizers and performing artists.
2. Respect to the various Elders, Gurus, and Preceptors, is extended by remembering their legacies and contributions.
3. Opportunity and encouragement to young talented artists are given and they get groomed properly.
4. The role of various organizers like Sabhas and Trusts, in organizing the events and programs throughout the year and then year after year repeatedly, is really commendable.
5. Events, programs, and formats are created, designed and presented in a brilliant manner by both the Sabhas and the performing artists.
6. Along with the veterans, the young upcoming talented artists are given equal opportunity.
7. The various Sabhas adapt themselves very well to change and accordingly events and programs are designed and presented.

We call a person or a family as a cultured person or cultured family. Sometimes we call an organization as a cultured organization. We often call the people of a city, state, or country as cultured. What do we really mean by it?

"Cultured" is characterized by:-  refined taste, manners, etiquette, well educated, cultivated, intellectually/artistically aware, enlightened, civilized, well read, well informed, learned, knowledgeable, discerning, discriminating, genteel, polished, and knows a lot about art, music, literature.

"Learning without thought is naught; thought without learning is dangerous." ~ Confucius.

"Behavior is the theory of manners practically applied." ~ MME. Necker.

"Culture is the cream of conduct. Culture, like all of life's blessings, cannot be hoarded- it is for service. Those who are wise give their culture away, and thus do they retain it. ~ Elbert Hubbard.

"Culture is to know the best that has been said and thought in the world." ~ Matthew Arnold.

In addition to the above, the definition, features and characteristics of culture are also given below:-

Definition of Culture

Culture means:-

1. the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.
2. the habits, beliefs, customs, traditions, arts, ideas, and social behavior of a particular society, group, place or time.
3. the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic.
4. enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and aesthetic training.
5. the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties especially by education.
6. the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization.

Features and Characteristics of Culture

1. Culture is learnt socially and not inherited biologically.
2. Culture is not an individual phenomena but it is the product of society. It develops in the society through social interaction.
3. Culture is shared by  common people of a territory. For example, customs, traditions, values, beliefs.
4. Culture is transmitted from one generation to the next. It is not transmitted through genes but through language and knowledge.
5. Culture is a continuous process. It is like a steady stream which is flowing from one generation to another through centuries.
6. Culture is accumulative and combines the suitable cultural traits.
7. Culture is integrated. All the cultural aspects are inter-connected with each other. For example, value system is interlinked with morality, customs, beliefs and religion.
8. Culture is changing and not static. Cultural process undergoes changes from society to society and from generation to generation.
9. Culture varies from society to society. It is not uniform everywhere. Every culture is unique.
10. Culture is gratifying and provide all the opportunities for needs and desires satisfaction. The needs may be biological or social.
11. Culture is responsive to the changing conditions of a physical world and helps humanity from all dangers and natural calamities.
12. Culture is closely linked with society. It binds the people within the society.

Chennai doesn't boast of:- a) a world class airport, b) well laid broad roads with pavements, c) adequate flyovers, d) gardens and parks, e) greenery, f) well managed traffic system on its roads, g) disciplined traffic, g) WiFi facilities, h)  enough vehicle parking lots, i) efficient and cost effective public transport like auto rickshaws and taxis, j) high civic sense among people, and k) effective civic agency.

What Chennai can boast of:- is its feisty, culturally conscious people, who have an ear for music and a taste for appreciation of cultural events.  Let us eulogize Chennai and Chennaiites for this. If Delhi is the political capital and Mumbai is the financial capital of India, then Chennai is the cultural capital of India.