Fw: TRI-VARNIKA WOMEN FOLK & NAMMAZHWAR

[Guest guest]

Respected Sadagopan AvargaL

 

I am sending here with an article on Nammaazhwar and Dhivyaprabhandam related to Visakhapatnam. I thing, it is an interesting article worth to be published in SaraNagathi list and other related lists.

 

Nammazhwar ThiruvadigaLE saraNam,

Dhivakar..

TRI-VARNIKA WOMEN FOLK & NAMMAZHWAR

 

Sometimes great things happen some where but unknown to others. Nammazhwar, the great saint, whose word of “UNNum sORu parugu niir Thinnum veRRilai ellaam kaNNan” explained the very divinity in our actions and reactions, was honored by different sect of people in different area.

 

‘Vaikasi Visaakam’ is celebrated as “Nammazhwar Thirunakshatram” as grand festival in Vishnu Temples spread all over world. But for a first time to my knowledge, the celebrations were organised by a community who are called as ‘Tri-Varnikaas’ in a community centre which they named as ‘Trivarnika srivaishnava Ramanujakootam’. The place of celebration is Visakhapatnam city which is in the remote corner of Andhra Pradesh, India.

 

The Tri-Varnikas (Brahmins –Kshatriya – Vysya) are basically traders. But their elders are well versed in vedaas & agamas. Along with this, they are trained to learn Tamil Dhivyaprabhandams. Their women- folk, especially, are well trained in Dhivya prabandha paasuram to sing in traditional rhythm. But their mother tongue is TELUGU. Except pasurams of Alwars, they do not speak Tamil and even pasurams also written in Telugu words.

 

Coming to the celebrations, today (9th June 2006), they have installed ‘Nammazhwar’ Archa Moorthy at their centre. Adiyen was invited to this sacred utsav. Truly speaking, I have never seen in any temples in Tamilnadu such a dedication of the women devotees (may be more than 50 people) who sang ‘Thiruvaimozhi’ in chorus in a traditional way. The ‘Vigraha pratishta’ was arranged after two days of continuous parayanam of Thiruvaimozhi.

 

This blessed community is presently led by Sri M.V. Singarayya, who is also one among the leading jewellers of city. Sri Singarayya told about his community that they belong to the tradition of Sri Ramanuja. For them every thing is Udayavar only. When the local state government wanted to take over the administration of this wonderful divine place under endowment department, Mr. Singarayya stoutly objected and told the government that this divine place is a family property of Trivarnikas and nothing to do with public. When government still insisted, he simply said that the government can take property but not their archa moorthy and threatened them they will take them to their home and continue puja karikramans and let government administer the Kootam without moorthy, if they like. The officials went back simply.

 

Here at this divine centre of Ramanuja every body is welcome, Sri Singarayya said. But they do not accept donation. Every Friday scores of ladies singing Dhivya Prabhandams and offer prasadams to every one. I was told that the same ladies were allowed at Sri Rangam Temple for Dhivya prabhanda parayanam.

 

Visakhapatnam is the beautiful city in the east coast of India offering herself as pensioners’ paradise and tourist destination. I used to wonder when all other surrounding cities are reeling under hot or heavy rain, how this particular city escape from the nature’s fury. When people like ‘trivarnika’ and their true divinity towards Ramanuja and Nammazhwar always there, it is nature that the very same nature also should co-operate.

 

Dhivakar.

 

 

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