Thiruvaiyaru Aradhana 2007

Ananth · Post by **Ananth** » 21 Dec 2006, 12:21

Which is a good website to get info?
(I am not talking of Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru, but Thiruvaiyaril... )

Ananth · Post by **Ananth** » 29 Dec 2006, 12:22

I found useful info in the kutcheribuzz daily.
I have planned to be there on 5th and 6th.
This being my first visit, any tips and suggestions on what to expect will be useful - also please share your experiences of past years.

chalanata · Post by **chalanata** » 29 Dec 2006, 12:28

take bath in cavery, eat in the eateries, see the books in the stalls, visit panchanadeeswarar and thyagaraja's house and sleep in the mandap. keep minimum luggage. keep some pain killers and paracetamol. enjoy.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 29 Dec 2006, 12:55

I did pretty much that chalatana one year and it was quite an excellent experience, though it was a bit rough. With a small tote bag in hand, I landed there the previous afternoon and left the mantap area very late night the next day. You bump into all sorts of people, strangers from different walks of life, friends you have not seen in a long time, famous vidwans sitting in the back of the stage waiting for their turn etc.

During the aradhana time, accomodation is very hard to get in Thanjavur. Or you need to know someone you can stay with in that area or in Thiruvayyaru itself.

The whole place is transformed into a 'thiruvizha' like affair, so it is quite festive.

As an aside, one should also visit there during non-aradhana time. There will be absolutely no one there and one can cherish the serene atmosphere of that place. Also, at such times at the samadhi, one can indulge in singing/playing music there, at whatever or however beginning level, and it is quite an uplifting experience.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 29 Dec 2006, 13:45

VK,
The alternative you offer (your aside) appeals to me more!

ramakriya · Post by **ramakriya** » 29 Dec 2006, 23:41

vasanthakokilam wrote:As an aside, one should also visit there during non-aradhana time. There will be absolutely no one there and one can cherish the serene atmosphere of that place. Also, at such times at the samadhi, one can indulge in singing/playing music there, at whatever or however beginning level, and it is quite an uplifting experience.

I had the opportunity of visiting Tiruvaiyyaru during non-aradhana time, and it is a memory that I would never forget

-Ramakriya

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 30 Dec 2006, 00:20

Here's a wonderfully written account - was also published in the Indian Express Sunday Supplement.

http://samanth.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_ ... chive.html

As for my own experience, it was a wonderful trip for 2 reasons - the splendid temples around Tanjore - especially Darasuram and Gangaikondacholapuram, and the few contemplative minutes I spent in the Saint's room which I understand, is now history...

As for the Araadhana itself, it was a cacophony that would've done the Serpent proud...but it was moving to see so many people having gathered to pay tribute.

In any case, it is certainly worth visiting once. If you know anyone who is anyone, start oiling the wheels right now. Else, you will only hear a distant murmur during the araadhana ( which, in hindsight, turned out to be a blessing in disguise!).

kamavardhani · Post by **kamavardhani** » 30 Dec 2006, 09:12

And here's an account from the Carnatica website, by its editor Ramanathan (I believe the same guy that posts here occassionally):

http://carnatica.net/nvr/edit-tyag-feb2005.htm

rajumds · Post by **rajumds** » 24 Mar 2007, 13:49

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/03/23/stor ... 030300.htm

Interesting..

rbharath · Post by **rbharath** » 24 Mar 2007, 15:50

what a pic that is.

i take this opportunity to humbly request srkris, to put this pic on our intro page, whenever he can!

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 24 Mar 2007, 20:03

rajumds wrote:http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/03/23/stor ... 030300.htm

Interesting..

Interesting indeed. It is a great picture with many of the stalwarts in one frame. I looked long and hard and I do not see any of our favoruite female musicians of yesteryears there. May be females are not permitted for the UNCHAVRITI portion of the ceremonies. Is that still true? But all is not lost on the female front..this grand unification in Feb 1947 did involve Bangalore Nagarathnammal, the original prime mover and mastermind of the samadhi effort itself.

vgvindan · Post by **vgvindan** » 25 Mar 2007, 00:02

uncavRtti â€“ livelihood by gleaning â€“ gathering ears of corn left by reapers. As per manu smRti (Chapter 4), the rightful living for a brAhmaNa is to glean food (Rta) or living on what is given unasked (aMRta). In the modern context, those who follow this path of living, daily go round the streets singing songs on Lord and accept food articles (not food) and other items offered by the households. The grain so gathered is cooked and taken by the family as meals for that day. They are not expected to hoard even for the next meal. Please visit the web-site for complete translation of manu smRti â€“
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu04.htm

AFAIK the last one who actually lived on uncavRtti was Pudukkottai Gopalakrishna Bhagavatar.

uncavRtti is now a ritual like our Independence Day and Republic Day Celebrations

kaumaaram · Post by **kaumaaram** » 26 Mar 2007, 13:28

vgvindan wrote:uncavRtti is now a ritual like our Independence Day and Republic Day Celebrations

This is primarily due to the mechanical city life that we lead and our hesitation to teach the next generation of what it means. It applies to uncavRtii and the celebrations cited.

ramakriya · Post by **ramakriya** » 26 Mar 2007, 21:42

vgvindan wrote:AFAIK the last one who actually lived on uncavRtti was Pudukkottai Gopalakrishna Bhagavatar.

uncavRtti is now a ritual like our Independence Day and Republic Day Celebrations

When did Pudukottai Goplalakrishna Bhagavatar live?

Apparently, even as late as in the 1940's and 1950's, there were a few haridAsas in karnATaka who were following unchavRtti. I do not know the extent to which they followed it - i.e. whether they lived off unchavRtti 100% or not.

I had the chance to interview Prof N S Lakshminarayana Bhatta ( A very well known kannaDa poet) last year. He had spoken about a haridAsa whom he met in his childhood in Shivamogga in Karnataka where he grew up. NSL Bhatta had first heard some compositions of ShishunALa Sharief from this haridAsa. This must have been in 1940's.

Incidentally, I remember my mother also mentioning having seen such haridAsas in her childhood. I will check with her, where this was.

-Ramakriya

vgvindan · Post by **vgvindan** » 26 Mar 2007, 22:10

When did Pudukottai Goplalakrishna Bhagavatar live?

He died around mid 1970's.