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Sunday 27 September 2020
Report of the 12th Session of “SUMUKHAIVA SADHAS”
“The Mylapore Trio” Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna, Sugathan and Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducted the 12th ‘SUMUKHAIVA SADHAS’ – A Virtual Cultural Meet during this extraordinary pandemic situation and lockdown. It was a unique concept and a different conclave involving professionals of different genre. The BIRDS OF “DIFFERENT FEATHERS’’ FLOCKED TOGETHER. A platform was provided to a Speaker to talk on a subject of his/her choice or profession or expertise and the only criteria are, the topic must be correlated to culture and history. This was followed by an interesting questionnaire session which leads to good interaction. Every week audience learns a new subject enabling themselves to become more knowledge-centric.
The 12th Session was conducted on Sunday, 20th September, 2020 from 4.15pm to 7.00pm. The Programme began with the Prayer on the Trio's Foster Parents Smt. Sumukhi and Shri. Rajasekharan and their Grand Mother Smt. Nagammal, written and sung by Smt. Revathy Sankkaran.
At the outset, Amarnath as a History Professor, in tune with the topic said that History is a bundle of human experiences and wrinkles are symbols of experiences. History gives 5000 years of wisdom to a person at a young age even before he could get wrinkles on his face.
Aparna – a Chartered Accountant, spoke about how she is associated with Aged people and shared her experiences with elderly ones. Also shared how she took care of Sumukhi Amma & Nagammal Paati during their old age.
Surendranth – An Art Director talked about Sumukhi Amma as a person who gave importance to the past. He said that old people must be protected and taken care of and respected. He said that the Foundation Motto was to start an old age home ultimately. He shared his experience of selling old pattu sarees and procuring real silver jaris which is a rare phenomenon today.
The day’s Speaker was “Sakala Kala Valli” Smt. Revathy Sankkaran who spoke on the topic “Old is Gold”. She shared some of her thoughts and views on the subject. Old dresses, jewels, artefacts, vessels, traditional food, houses and anything old is gold and valuable. She said wrinkles are symbols of experience, wisdom and worries.
Sugathan shared his experience as a dance student in Kalakshetra, how that institution gives importance to the elderly people. Also, he pointed out that his Guru Late. Thangamani Teacher was as old as his grandmother.
Sugathan’s Naturo Upaya explained how to take bath without using showering objects. He also answered for a query on how to get rid of Ticks & Lices.
As per the diktat of the Foundation, all the participants were in Turquoise Blue / Green & Maroon.
The Programme ended with a happy note to meet again next week with a different Speaker and a Topic.
Saturday 19 September 2020
12th "Sumukhaiva Sadhas" - Virtual Meet on Sunday, 20th Sept., 2020 at 4pm
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Report of the 11th Session of “SUMUKHAIVA SADHAS”
The Mylapore Trio” Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna, Sugathan and Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducted the 11th ‘SUMUKHAIVA SADHAS’ – A Virtual Cultural Meet during this extraordinary pandemic situation and lockdown. It was a unique concept and a different conclave involving professionals of different genre. The BIRDS OF “DIFFERENT FEATHERS’’ FLOCKED TOGETHER. A platform was provided to a Speaker to talk on a subject of his/her choice or profession or expertise and the only criteria are, the topic must be correlated to culture and history. This was followed by an interesting questionnaire session which leads to good interaction. Every week audience learn a new subject enabling themselves to become more knowledge-centric.
The 11th Session was conducted on Sunday, 13th September 2020 from 4.15pm to 7.00pm. The Programme began with the Prayer on the Trio's Foster Parents Smt. Sumukhi and Shri. Rajasekharan and their Grand Mother Smt. Nagammal, written and sung by Smt. Revathy Sankkaran.
At the outset, Amarnath as a History Professor, to be in tune with the Topic, spoke about the term Culture and its meaning. He also compared culture with civilization. He said Arts form a part of the culture and opined that its all a changing phase. He said Art is an integral part of Culture and Culture is a part of Civilization. He condemned the so-called Gurus who mint money and do not impart Art for Art sake.
Aparna – a Chartered Accountant, spoke about how Kalakshetra was different from other institutions in teaching various Art forms. She said Guru Bhakthi was ultimate with the Students and Gurus also taught them honesty and integrity. She said that Trio has come across thousands of children and parents over the last 18 years and could see a Sea Change in their attitude towards art and culture with values waning day by day. She appreciated Smt. Srividya for her wonderful talk and the songs rendered by her with devotion.
Surendranth – An Art Director talked about the Sumukhi Amma as an Ideal Guru who made the Trio learn all Art forms from Kalakshetra. He said that Dance is the basis for all art forms and a true dancer would know other arts like music, painting, jewellery, makeup etc. He quoted some anecdotes from Trio’s experiences through the Foundation. Some dance and music students were performing without knowing the inner meaning and the story of that particular song. That was the sorry state even 10 years back.
The day’s Speaker was Smt. Srividhya Arunachalam B.Sc., M.A., Music Teacher. Her Topic was “Changing Phase of Art and Culture”. She traced the origin of music to Vedic and Sangam periods. She explained her own experiences as a Music student, teacher, parent of kids dealing with the present-day gurus. She was fortunate to have learnt from Musical Doyens right from her childhood including from her own mother.
She said that those days gurus were not money minded and imparted values like bhakthi, spirituality to the sishyas through Music. But today all art forms have become commercial especially music and dance. She was comparing the past and the present and discussed the changing phase of art and thereby culture. She also peppered some Keerthanais here and there to add musical aroma to her talk. she condemned some present-day singers who sing as they wish, without ‘paddhathi’ thereby distorting the divinity of Carnatic Music. Just for the sake of popularity, they make ‘mix masala’ of all the songs both Carnatic and Cinematic songs which has no sanctity. She chided some Carnatic singers both male and female for not following the proper dress and hairstyle while on stage.
She appreciated the Sumukhi Foundation for promoting Real Arts without any commercial motive. She applauded them for inculcating values like spirituality through their innovative value-based programmes, traditional dress code, discipline etc. she said her thoughts and attitude are similar to that of the Foundation and hence she is attached to it with her children. She also opined that competitions are only to improve and not to compare with others. She felt the changing phase is not for the good but the Foundation is sticking to the roots of culture which must be acknowledged.
Sugathan shared his experience as a dance student in Kalakshetra and later as a performing artist. He explained his divine experience at Madurai Meenakshi when he performed for 3 years during the Thematic Golu organised by the Trio and himself. Just before his performance, he used to have a special darshan of ‘Velli Ambalam Nataraja’ and then dance at the divine Kalyana Mandapam. Once he had his Vidyarambam on Vijaya Dasami at the same divine place, which had never happened in the Temple. He said he was also blessed to perform at ‘Bhooloka Vaikuntam’ Srirangam during the Thematic Golu organised by the Trio and himself.
Sugathan’s Naturo Upaya explained few tips for cold and fever.
As per the diktat of the Foundation, all the participants were in Yellow & Mustard Colour. The Programme ended with a happy note to meet again next week with a different Speaker and a Topic.
Saturday 12 September 2020
11th "Sumukhaiva Sadhas" - Virtual Meet on Sunday, 13th Sept., 2020 at 4pm
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Wednesday 9 September 2020
Report of the 10th Session of “SUMUKHAIVA SADHAS”
“The Mylapore Trio” Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna, Sugathan and Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducted the 10th ‘SUMUKHAIVA SADHAS’ – A Virtual Cultural Meet during this extraordinary pandemic situation and lockdown. It was a unique concept and a different conclave involving professionals of different genre. The BIRDS OF “DIFFERENT FEATHERS’’ FLOCKED TOGETHER. A platform was provided to a Speaker to talk on a subject of his/her choice or profession or expertise and the only criteria are, the topic must be correlated to culture and history. This was followed by an interesting questionnaire session which leads to good interaction. Every week audience learns a new subject enabling themselves to become more knowledge-centric.
The 10th Session was conducted on Sunday, 6th September 2020 from 4.15pm to 7.00pm. The Programme began with the Prayer on the Trio's Foster Parents Smt. Sumukhi and Shri. Rajasekharan and their Grand Mother Smt. Nagammal, written and sung by Smt. Revathy Sankkaran.
At the outset, Amarnath as a History Professor, to be in tune with the Topic, spoke in a nutshell about the life history of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and the importance Teachers’ Day. Since his native was Sarvapalli, the Andhrites demanded Tiruttani near his native place. It was from 1962 his Birthday was celebrated as Teachers’ Day as per his wish. Amarnath said that he was fortunate to have been taught Philosophy at a tender age by Sumukhi Amma and hence it was easier for him to study the subject later in M.A. He also said that the essence of history is Philosophy and he quoted thus “History is teaching Philosophy with examples”. He brought out the importance of dedicated teaching and teachers. He furthered said that Sumukhi Amma was an ideal teacher who worked in the iconic Lady Sivaswami Aiyar Girls High School, started by Annie Besant, later patronised by Raja of Vijayanagaram and finally by Sir P.S. Sivaswami Aiyar – a member of the Constituent drafting committee.
Aparna – a Chartered Accountant, spoke about her experience at Besant Arundale Senior Secondary School, Kalakshetra. She said there the concept was Ahimsa – not to scold or beat the children at any cost. The serene ambience and the divine atmosphere made the children very satvic and knowledgeable. The Gurukula type of classes and Parnasala classrooms were something very unheard of at that point of time. Classes were also taken under the tree shades amidst the chirchipping of birds. The teachers were loving and impartial which created an emotional bridge between the teacher and the taught. That was her divine experience in the then ideal school at Kalakshetra.
Surendranth – An Art Director talked about the Sumukhi Amma as an Ideal Teacher and opined that because of her knowledge, forethought and experience that the Trio excelled in different fields. He explained the importance of the Iconic Lady Sivaswami Girls High School where Amma was the AHM and one of the pillars of the Institution. He said that the Foundation adapted the Girls Dress code from there and the Boys’s from Kalakshetra. He said that the history of the Trio began at the doorstep of the School which is known for its discipline and values. Sumukhi Amma was one of the pioneers to build the school from the days of yore.
The day’s Speaker Smt. Ravibala M.Sc. Chemistry, M.A. English and M.Phil. Education – Headmistress Retd. She spoke on different things which were actually a mixed bag. Her title was “Vichaaraguchchaa” – A tit-bit Treat.
Her presentation was like a variety of flowers string together. She touched upon many subjects by smearing different aspects like teaching methods, education, health, home science, chemistry, history etc. she also made some simple home-based experiments using basic food materials from the kitchen. She presented her talk with the help of many slides consisting of diagrams, charts, tables pictures and an edited version of a heart-touching children’s movie to highlight the difficulties poor children face to obtain an education.
Earlier Ravibala shared her academic history and personal experiences as a student, teacher, headmistress and administrator of schools. On the whole, her talk was very interesting with both Theory and Practical on various aspects of life. It was a different experience altogether for the audience whom for the first time were offered a mixed bag.
To signify the Teacher’s Day, the Trio remembered Academic Stalwarts and Doyens who have been honoured by the Mylapore Trio with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their selfless teaching, students’ care, honesty and integrity, excellent administration, service to academics and education. These academic stars have created a niche for themselves and were gems of the profession whom the Trio had come across in their life. They were all honoured with the highest Award “Guru Brahmam” over the period of time. Two Institutions – a school and a college were also awarded “Maha Vidhyapeetam” – the Best Institution Award. All these were photographically remembered and explained to the Audience.
Sugathan’s Naturo Upaya explained to us the importance of the eternal fruit “Nellikaai’ and how and when it must be consumed. He said that it is a very useful fruit to ward off all toxins from our body. A gooseberry a day keeps the Doctor away…
As per the diktat of the Foundation, all the participants were in Copper Sulphate Blue to identify with Chemistry.
The Programme ended with a happy note to meet again next week with a different Speaker and a Topic.
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