Sri Rama Navami at 32 ft Anjaneya Temple

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Nanganallur Notes

Sri Rama Navami at 32 ft Anjaneya Temple

UshaRaja

usharaja60

Published on April 17th, 2006

 

Ram Nagar in Nanganallur, true to its name, resembled Lord Rama's

domain last week. What was the cause for the transformation? It was

Sri Rama Navami.

 

The 32ft Anjaneya Temple in Ram Nagar was bursting at the seams that

day. Lord Rama with his consort Sita, and Lakshmana were ready to

bless the devout from dawn itself. Sporting a turban, dressed like a

king, Rama dazzled in a blue brocaded costume. The chiseled features

of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana surpass description.

 

Vedic chanting, coupled with homam continued till dusk. Besides the

usual rituals associated with the festival, there was another major

event which attracted the multitude. The chorus singing of Pancharatna

kirtanas of saint-poet Tyagaraja and the trail of good music that

followed will be etched in our memory.

 

Titans of music participated. The grand old man of the music world, T

K Govinda Rao, spearheaded the goshti ganam, followed by his eminent

disciples Bombay Sisters C Saroja and C Lalitha. K R Saranathan, Karur

Krishnamurthy, Nanganallur Ramanathan, Sirkali Jayaraman and local

vidwans and vidushis comprised the musical congregation.

 

T K Murthy, a mridanga wizard, also participated. The flautist started

the huge event with his melodious notes which made the audience go

into raptures. This was followed by the rendering of Pancharatna

kritis by the musical gathering. It rained music in the temple as this

was followed by the individual performance of artistes. Tyagaraja

kritis are an integral part of any concert. All the vidwans and

vidushis paid musical obeisance to Rama by rendering Tyagaraja Kritis

as Rama forms the fulcrum in all the outpourings of the poet.

 

The accompanists indulged in a mini percussion fest before the end of

the programme. It was a musical mélange for connoisseurs. After this

sumptuous lunch was served for everyone.

 

The chanting of 'Ram, Ram' reverberated throughout the day. The

spiritual discourse by Kamala Murthy was attended by young and old

alike. A good raconteur, she brought the characters in Ramayana alive

by her vivid portrayal.

 

The celestial wedding of Rama and Sita was celebrated in the form of

kalyana utsavam after a couple of days. Many took part in the

spiritual fare. A sublime mood permeated the temple.

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