You are here: SriPedia - SriRangaSri - Archives - Sep 2004

SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00088 Sep 2004

 
Sep 2004 Indexes ( Date | Thread | Author )
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]


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









------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> 
$9.95 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/J8kdrA/y20IAA/yQLSAA/VkWolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 

 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SriRangaSri/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    SriRangaSri-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
 




[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index ] [Thread Index ] [Author Index ]
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia
srirangasri-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to the list