“The Mylapore Trio” Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna, Sugathan and Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducted the 22nd ‘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. 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 22nd Session was conducted on Saturday, 28th November, 2020 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. 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.
The Day’s Speaker was Ramkumar M.A., B.Ed., M.Phil. – TGT in History. His talk was on “Social & Religious Reform Movements of the 19th Century”. It was a very interesting subject which led to a lively debate and discussion.
He explained about services and greatness of Raja Ram Mohan Roy of Brahmo Samaj, Swami Dayananda Saraswathi of Arya Samaj, Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda of Sri Ramakrishna Order, Madam Blavatsky & Col. Olcott and Annie Besant of the Theosophical Society. He traced the Origin, Growth and Contribution of these Organisations which created Renaissance, Reformation and Revolution in the Social, Religious reforms in the downtrodden society.
He described the significance of each of these organisations and their contribution. Abolition of Sati and Jauhar, Child Marriage, Female infanticide, Caste system and promotion of Western Education, Women’s Freedom and Education etc.
He also made reference to the services rendered by the South Indian Reformers like Ramalinga Vallalar, Bharathiyar, Periyar, Ayothidasa Panditar etc. who condemned the caste & creed and women’s liberation. His talk was supported by colourful Pictures and Photos of these reformers which made it very interesting.
Earlier Surendranath mentioned about Sumukhi Amma’s revolutionary thoughts and actions which in turn made the Trio imbibe Her values. Continuation of Poojas, Golu and stopping of ceremonies which were done just for the sake dogmas and not out of sincerity and honesty the priests. He said though Appa and Amma were very pious, religious and spiritual at the same time against caste creed subjugation of women and superstitions and dogmas. Surendranath mentioned about the “Garden Of Remembrance” inside the Theosophical Society at the Adyar Estuary where the Samadhis of Annie Besant, Madame Blavatsky, Madam Montessori, George Sydney Arundale decorate the place.
Amarnath added information on the topic and gave a deeper understanding of the subject. He said these reformers shed their blood and sweat for eradicating the evils of the society like child marriage but Alas’ today child marriage (read calf love) happens in a different manner. He said that Ram Mohan Roy was called the “First Modern Man of India” and discussed in length about Theosophical Society and its principles which were common to the ideologies of St. Ramalinga Vallalar. He said two systems were the outcome of western education and the rest two were against it. He referred to some incidents about Swami Vivekananda's historic visit to Chicago and also gave an insight into Arya Samaj too.
Aparna said Amma and Appa had encouraged them to be spiritually oriented which gave them the mental strength to overcome any situation. They were not orthodox but at the same time against dogmas. Amma performed the rituals for Appa because they had no issues of their own. This was a revolutionary act during yesteryears. She encouraged the Trio to continue the Family traditions and customs even after Appa. She did not stop their creativity and spiritual and cultural thirst in the name of blind practices.
Sugathan recollected a past incident from his family – his grand mother’s mother was the First Person to wear a blouse in the whole area when it was against the established practice. It was a taboo to even think about it during yesteryears. It was a revolutionary act at that point in time. In history, it was known as “Mel Seilai Poraattam” which became a movement in Kerala and Kanyakumari.
As per the diktat of the Foundation, all the participants were in Blue & White.
The Programme ended with a happy note to meet again next week with a different Speaker and a Topic.
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