Devipuram Chief & Singer Sudha Ragunathan Headline U.S. Karthik Celebration

[Guest guest]

BOSTON (October 27, 2006): A special celebration of the Hindu holy

month of Karthikam will be conducted by the new head of India's

Devipuram temple, and will include a Carnatic classical music

concert featuring renowned vocalist Sudha Ragunathan as well as a

classical dance recital.

 

The centerpiece of the celebration – to be performed in Iselin, New

Jersey, on Saturday, November 18, 2006 – will be a special Sahasra

Jyothir Linga Archana (Worship of the Shiva Linga with 1,116 Lamps)

conducted by Srilasri Kompella Subba Rao, the new pontiff of

Devipuram, an extraordinary Goddess temple complex in South India.

 

"All are invited to come and enjoy a soulful evening of music and

dance as the lights are lit one after another, duly explaining the

meaning of ritual," Sri Subba Rao said.

 

The event is open and free to the public; however, attendees are

asked to donate to Devipuram through the Soundarya Lahari group.

 

South Indian classical music superstar Sudha Ragunathan will perform

at the ritual. One of India's most accomplished, acclaimed and

prominent Carnatic vocalists, Ms. Ragunathan is a disciple of the

late, legendary Padmavibushan Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. M.L.

Vasanthakumari (MLV). Since 1990, Sudha's rise has been phenomenal,

and following her Guru's demise she has been considered as MLV's

vaarisu, or primary artistic successor. (For further information,

visit: <www.sudharagunathan.com>)

 

Sudha will be accompanied by B V Raghavendra Rao on violin, R. Raman

or moorsing and Neyveli Skanda Subramanian on mridangam.

 

The event will also include a classical dance performance of "Sapta

Thandava Natyam" by Smt. Devi Suhir. Smt. Devi Suhir is a celebrated

dancer who has limited her public performances in order to focus on

spiritual depth. She comes highly recommended as performer by her

Guru, Kalaimamani Indra Rajan.

 

The month Karthikam is considered to be very auspicious. It reflects

the end of the "dark age," the triumph of good over evil and light

over darkness, and the return of peace, purity and prosperity to the

world. The Hindu epics state that Lord Vishnu assumed a fish's shape

(Matsyavatara) on the evening of Karthika Pournami, and that Lord

Shiva killed the demon Tripura on the same day.

 

Devipuram is a Goddess temple complex located near Anakapalle, just

north of the coastal city of Vizag in Andhra Pradesh, South India.

 

"Devipuram's focus is a three-story Sri Chakra Meru measuring 108' x

108' x 54'. There you can see all Shaktis of the Khadgamala in life

size. Some of them are sky-clad, implying that they have nothing to

hide; that they are pure shaktis. The thousand-eyed Lalita, called

Sahasrakshi, is the presence everywhere. Weekly Sri Chakra Nava-

avarana puja, havans, and daily 1000- and 108-name stotras are

recited, and the fruits of these actions are offered to every Shakti

in a special Khadgamala Arati. Devotees come to sing, dance, pray,

and meditate; many come just for fun." <www.devipuram.com>

 

This event is coordinated by Sapasona, the South Asian Performing

Arts Society of North America <www.sapasona.com>, and the Soundarya

Lahari satsang of Boston <www.srimeru.org>.

 

*****

 

[The South Asian Performing Arts Society of North America (Sapasona)

is proud to present Padma Sri Kalaimamani Srimathy Sudha Ragunathan

to New Jersey's discerning audience of Carnatic music rasikas. Her

concert will begin at 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 18th at India

House, 465 Route 27, Iselin, NJ 08830. The event is open to public.

We will appreciate any donations given.]