ACHARYA THIRUNAKSHATRAM CELEBRATIONS AT SRI AHOBILA MATAM US A

[Guest guest]

Srimathe Sri Lakshminrusimha Parabrahmane Nama:

Srimathe Sri Lakshminrusimha Divya Paduka Sevaka Srivan Satakopa Sri

Narayana Yatheendhra Mahadesikaya Nama:

 

 

ACHARYA DAY 2004

 

If the Labor Day weekends are a permanent fixture in the American

calendar, so are the Acharya Day celebrations in the calendar of the

Sri Ahobila Matam sishyas of U S A, coinciding with the Labor Day

holiday. Every year, the annual congregation of sishyas and

abhimanis pays its humble obeisance to the great Acharyas of the Sri

Matam, by celebrating the event and reveling in every moment with joy

and pride. This year was no exception either and the two day event

was held at the Rajdhani Mandir in Virginia on the 4th and 5th of

September 2004. The event comprised of Thirumanjanam, Dolai, and

Purappadu for Dolai Kannan, Vedam and Prabandha Parayanam and other

Cultural Programs showcasing the talents of the participants.

 

Day 1 September 4th, 2004

 

The venue, in the presence of Dolai Kannan, the Padukais of Acharyas,

the flavorful smell from the Thirumadaipalli, the publication stall

of Sri Ahobila Matam, resembled uthsavams back home in India albeit

with an American touch. The morning began with the Visvaroopa sevai

of Dolai Kannan followed by Navakalasa Thirumanjanam and Paduka

Aradhanam for the padukais of Srimad Adivan Satakopan, the 41st,

42nd, 43rd, 44th and 45th Azhagiyasingars. Thirumanjanam to Dolai

Kannan accompanied by the recitation of Sri Sannidhi

Nityaanusandhaanam, Vedham, and Thirumaalai by the goshti was a joy

in itself. Thirumanjana Kattiyam for Dolai Kannan was also recited.

The Thirumanjanam was followed by alankaram for Dolai Kannan and He

graced the devotees with his Divyasoundaryam. Thirunedundhandakam and

Thiruvandhaadhi were recited by the goshti in a melodious fashion

during Saathupadi. The highlight during the satrumurai this year was

the recitation of the full Acharya Thaniyan of all the Acharyas of

Sri Sannidhi Guru Paramparai from Sri Lakshmi Nrusimhan to all the 45

pattam Azhagiyasingars on both the days of the event. Thanks to the

effort and interest of one young sishya, Sri Venkat Rajaji who was

inspired by this practice at the Sri Matam in India and who took

efforts to do the same here. Distribution of Perumal Theertham,

Sripada Theertham and Thaligai prasadam followed this. During the

lunch break, Smt Geetha Rao gave a veena recital in the presence of

Lord Krishna.

 

 

The noon session resumed after a very brief break. This was the

session dedicated to the cultural events. Kids born and brought up

here recited slokas, sang songs on Krishna and brought happiness and

hope for the future of our Sri Sampradayam here. There was a

kalakshepam by Sri A. M.R. Kannan who talked about Lord Krishna. To

grace the occasion came Swami Koorathazhwar in the form of a play

aided by talented actors and multimedia. The play, highlighting the

Acharya Bakthi and the virtues of Swami Koorathzhvan was well

received by the audience. The play was scripted and directed by Sri

Balaji and Sri Krishnakumar of Virginia. Special thanks to the

participants in the play, Sri Balaji, Sri Krishnakumar, Sri Anand

Iyengar, Sri Kesavan Kannan, Sri Srikanth, Kumari Deepa Mathavan, Sri

Ashok, Sri Venkat Rajaji, Sri Madhu, Sri Srihari Raghavan, Sri Adarsh

and Sri Ravi Raghavasimhan The much appreciated quiz show Jeopardy,

conducted by Sri Srihari Raghavan quizzed the participants on

Nrusimhavatharam, Swami Adivan Satakopan, Swami Desikan and Kanchi

Kshethram. The evening was scheduled for the Dolai for Kannan,

wherein Sri Raghavendra Battineni gave a soul stirring vocal recital

of Divya Prabhandha Pasurams, he continued the later half of his

program with a veena recital along with his students. The evening

came to an end with Aradhanam, Sahasranama parayanam, thaligai,

satrumurai and sayanam for Kannan.

 

Day 2, September 5th, 2004

 

The next morning began with the great expectations generated from

the previous day's experience and the expectations were not

belied.

As usual, the morning began with Visvaroopa sevai followed by

Aradhanam for Kannan and Paduka Aradhanam. The sevakalam consisted of

Sri Sannidhi Nityaanusandhaanam, Kanninun Siruthaambu, Ramanuja

Nootrandhaadhi, and Sri Desikar Prabhandam consisting of Adhigara

Sanghraham, Mummani Kovai, Navamani Maalai, Prabhandasaaram and

PillaiAndhaadhi devoted to the Acharya Sookthis. Every year, the

ever-growing number of eager participants in the goshti contributes

to the grandeur of the occasion. Satrumurai consisting of Sri

Sannidhi Satrumurai, Ramanuja Nootrandhaadhi and Pillaiandhaadhi

followed the Aradhanam.

 

After a break for the lunch, the afternoon session of cultural fiesta

resumed the second day. The first program was a debate organized by

Sri Anand Iyengar. The topic was " Who is your favorite Azhwar

among

Nammazhwar, Thondaradipodi Azhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar " . The

teams

were named Visakam, Kettai and Krithikai for the nakshatrams of

Nammazhwar, Thondaradipodiazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar

respectively. Each Azhwar had a team of two members. The

participants fiercely and at times with humor debated on behalf of

their teams to the roaring applause and approbation of the audience.

Nammazhawar's Visakam team was declared winner by the team of

judges

consisting of Sri Anbil Ramaswamy, Sri A.M.R.Kannan and Sri Uppili.

I had gone out of the hall briefly at the start of the next program

when I chanced to listen to the audio from outside, I heard some

familiar sound but different syllables. Wondering what was happening,

I went inside the hall to find that it was a program with a

difference. Truly different!!! The program titled " Identify the

Prabhandham " conducted by Sri Venkat Rajaji had to do with

Identifying the Prabhandham Pasurams from their English Translation.

It amused the participants as well as the audience. It teased even

people knowledgeable in Prabhandhams. The meaning was familiar but

it was hard to guess as to which pasuram it was. It was a case of so

near yet so far, for many. The next item was Anthakshari based on

Prabhandham again. The program conducted by Sri Uppili, put to test

the spontaneous reaction of the participants. Later in the evening,

Smt and Sri D.K.Nagarajan and their disciples gave a vocal recital

consisting of songs on Lord Krishna. Their lilting rendition lifted

the spirit of the evening.

 

With so much happening, Lord Krishna decided to do his part as well.

Bedecked in best costumes and jewellery he came on a Purappadu around

the hall to the rendition of Siriya Thirumadal. The Purapadu began

with a kummi by students of Subha Krishnakumar He attracted everyone

with his bedazzling and bewitching beauty. It brought tears of joy

in the eyes of many. It was the highlight of the entire event. When

Kannan returned to asthanam, Subha's students aptly caught the

mood

of many by dancing to the song Theeradha Vilayatu Pillai. He is

indeed the theeradha vilayatu pillai who treats and teases, captures

and wrecks the hearts of many! This grand finale was followed by

evening aradhanam and recitation of Swami Desikan's sthothrams.

After all the tiring, nevertheless enjoyable events, bidding everyone

a sleepy goodbye Lord Krishna went for sayanam. That brought the

curtains down for the event.

 

As is customary with the Sri Matam, the abundant prasadam be it

puliyorai or charkarai pongal, was enjoyed by all. It was a palatable

delight indeed!! The planning and execution of the Program started

many months ago. The entire event would not have been possible but

for the active participation of the many volunteers who were involved

in planning and organizing the events, helping with the logistics,

hosting the guests and Thirumadaipalli kainkaryam. Sri Ahobila Matam

is thankful to everyone who contributed to the success of this annual

event.

 

As the event ended the hall was empty, but the hearts were full of

Divine experience and delight. The event truly reflected the spirit

of the sishyas who showed their respects to the glorious Acharyas of

Sri Ahobila Matam. Well, the clock is ticking and it is another 350

odd days before we meet again!!!

 

 

Azhagiya Singar Thiruvadigale Charanam!!!!

Chitra Malolan