Bahula Panchami

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Bahula Panchami

 

 

 

The caption denotes the fifth day of the waning moon when the great soul, saint

Thyagaraja attained Jeevan Mukthi. And his mortal remains were interred on the

banks of the five rivers and the place is called Thiruvaiyaru.

 

 

 

The day of his Nirayana is considered to be auspicious that it looks as though

Thyagaraja chose to shed his mortal coil on that day.

 

 

 

The verdant paddy fields with wavelike undulations having a backdrop of sylvan

surroundings add charm to the holy place. the cool ozone wafts through the

divine air that is pervading already brings an inexplicable ecstasy and

subliminal tranquility to every pious person.

 

 

 

Although Thyagaraja was born at Thiruvarur his parents migrated to this place

obviously feeling it to be conducive for divine pursuits. During ordinary days

an eerie atmosphere permeates in and around the "Sannithi" to the rustle of the

leaves of trees around. The place reverberates with animation only during this

annual festival when there is an influx of musicians which term embraces the

vocalists, violinists, vainikas, flutists, and those who play percussion

instruments. They throng on the day of "Bahula Panchami" at the special pandal

in front of the "Sammadhi" in their traditional dress with caste marks on their

forehead thus producing a divine auras to the congregation.

 

 

 

This annual festival is celebrated for five days obviously conforming to the

fifth day viz., Panchami the name of the Kshetra and Pancharatna that is being

sung with rapture. It starts with "Uncha Vritti" Bhajan circumambulating the

streets starting from the residence of the great saint at "Thirumanjana Veedi".

To the chanting of the Vedhas "Thirumanjanam" is performed as the day dawns on

the "Panchami Thithi" to the heralding of the famous krithi of Thyagaraja as per

established convention viz "Chetulara" in "Bhairavi" played on flute and on

Nadaswaram while ripples on the cauvery gurgle synchronising with the mood. The

concourse of people reverentially sit in the enclosures to witness the

"Abishekam" and simultaneously hear the pancharatna kirtanas by eminent

musicians to which even amateurs join with glee. The Cauvery slows down with

placidity apparently to enjoy the concert which is available to it only once in

a year.

 

 

 

The concerted singing supported by accompaniments with rhythm carries everyone

to the realm of God and creates a sense of feeling of being in tune with the

infinite at least for a while. The gems Jagadanandakaraka, Dudukukalanannae,

Sadhinchane, Kanakana, and Entharomahanubhavulu in the ragam Nattai, Gowlai,

Aarabi, Varali and Sriragam respectively sung in chorus rent the air and the

duration is one hour to both the singers and the audience. At the conclusion of

each song “Aarathi” is performed to the icon of the great composer who is

decorated with flowers. The ethos of the traditional and customary practice

pervades the entire atmosphere and is being preserved with piety and sanctity.

 

 

 

The music world is very much indebted to this great savant composer whose

compositions are sung in all the music halls and auditoriums and are being heard

with gusto both by connoisseurs and ordinary lovers of music.

 

 

 

After the event the place puts forth a void till the next year with a sepulchral

silence and the Cauvery dawdle nonchalantly in its meandering course to put it

in words of the poet Teenyson on “the brook”, “Men may come and men may go but I

go on for ever”.

 

 

 

 

 

This article was written by Sri Late L.P.Sampath Iyengar

 

 

 

Comments and feedback can be sent to suprajaiyengar

 

 

 

 

 

 

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