9th "Sumukhaiva Sadhas" - Virtual Meet on Sunday, 30th August, 2020 at 4pm

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Report of the 8th Session of “SUMUKHAIVA SADHAS”

 

“The Mylapore Trio” Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna, Sugathan and Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducted the 8^th ‘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 8th Session was conducted on Sunday, 23^rd August 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.

 

Surendranth – An Art Director welcomed the gathering and said that it was a different type of Sadhas. He said that the Pictorial Colourful Journey of “Pooja Vidhanam” with 282 photos from Past to Present were collected and arranged in order for the past 3 weeks.

 

He explained how the Trio was brought up by their Foster Parents Sumukhi and Rajasekharan with spiritual values. Every day Trio was taken to Kapali Temple twice a day inculcating bhakthi and cultural ethos by them. Trio used to conduct Kapaleeswarar Brahmotsavam with Appa’s “Velli Swaamies” – the small pooja vigrahams along with “Sri Chakram” worshipped daily by him for three hours with abhishegam, alangaram and sahasranamam. A lot of flowers were purchased from Parry corner and offered to the Gods.

 

Trio with their creativity and innovation imbibed from their foster parents used to perform the Ten Day Utsavam twice a day with different vahanams for the “Pancha Murthies” including Kodiyetram, Adhikara Nandhi, Rishabha Vahanam, Ther, Arupathu Moovar and the Grand Kalyanam on the final day. Paper flowers, vahanam of different materials and cardboard mandapams were made at home by Amma and Paati for us. Neiveidhyam was prepared by Paati every day apart from a lot of fruits and real flowers for the event. The Gods were taken out from the pooja room to all the rooms in a row as per the order to signify the 4 mada veedhis and back. Different musical instruments were played during the procession and songs on all Gods were sung. Children of the street used to come and join the occasion and were provided with everything including lunch, dinner and other niceties.

 

Apart from this Maariyamman festival during Aadi Month for 3 days was also celebrated. Amma used to give her Varalakshmi Mugam and made karagam and other relevant artefacts for the festival. ‘Koozh’ was prepared and distributed to children. All these things were done by Our Parents to encourage the Trio to soak in spirituality, creativity, and service to one and all without any discrimination.

 

Amarnath as a History Professor said that “Thean mezhugu” was purchased from Duppa Chetti Kadai and they used to make hands, legs and body structure, Kondai, Jadais for the Panch Murthis, especially for   Kapali and Karpagambal. By doing so different Gods like would be converted as Pancha Murthis.

 

Aparna – a Chartered Accountant, shared her experiences at home. While she was very young as a tiny tot, she used to assist her brothers in all their work and took part in the celebrations. She used to give her various types of jewellery for the Gods, with which they used to do the alankaram.

 

All these gave a strong foundation to the Trio for building a cultural and spiritual edifice in future. After a decade of such activities, trio’s thirst was quenched through their worship and alankaram of the 3 poojas viz., Varalakshmi Vritam, Krishna Jayanthi, Pillayar Chaturthi. Appa and Amma and Paati encouraged us to do these poojas all by ourselves right from A to Z. After Father’s demise, Amma told us to continue Varalakshmi Vritam and got us one more “mugam” to satiate our artistic and religious fervour. It was a Revolutionary Decision and she was bold enough to encourage us to continue the custom.

 

The idea of Pooja Vidhanam workshop and the very name itself was the brainchild of the Trio. At first the idea seemed to be a silly one because a workshop for doing Poojas sounded odd and that too in Mylapore. But during the event, it was felt that it was the right decision to do it. The Mylapore Trio was joined by Smt. Revathy Sankkaran, Smt. Prema Krishnamurthy, Sugathan and Members of the Foundation.

 

The pictorial journey began with the Vintage photos of the 3 Poojas at their home with Sumukhi Amma and Nagamma Paati along with the Trio. This was to the basis and Foundation of the later-day “Pooja Vidhanam” workshop. It was the past history which shaped the Trio.

 

The whole pictorial journey covered 282 Photos and Title Cards which was very very colourful and spectacular. Every photo spoke history and reverberated sentiments by itself. It was all self-explanatory but Trio, Sugathan shared their explanations for all the pictures.

 

Surendranth continued to explain how the concept of “Pooja Vidhanam” started. The First Pooja Workshop was held at Rasi Silks Mylapore in August 2004 and owing to public request it was repeated the very next week at the same venue. It was a very grand event and Nagammal Paati was alive to witness the event and she distributed the special Gift Pack made by the Trio to all the women gathered there. The Second was held at Vellore Lakshmi Ammal Kalyana Mandapam, Mylapore in 2005 and this time “Paddhadi Saapadu” was offered to the participants. A newly wedding couple was gifted with the Varalakshmi Mugam and were initiated to perform the Pooja from then on by the Trio and other elders.

 

The Third workshop was at the Foundation premises in 2006 and the Fourth at Lady Sivaswamy Girls Hr. Sec. School, Mylapore in 2007 where it was conducted as “Stree Utsav”. The Fifth one was conducted at Narada Gana Sabha Mini Hall, Alwarpet in 2008. It was conducted as a “Kala Poshakam” in which three different dance schools performed for 3 Gods viz., Lakshmi, Krishna, Ganesha and was followed by the Pooja Workshop.

 

In 2009 the Sixth workshop was held at Sundari Silks – T.Nagar in the traditional “Mittham” in a very grand fashion and the Seventh one was held in 2010 at the same Venue. It also coincided with the Aadi Pooram – Andal’s Birth Star. A lot of bangles were purchased by the Trio and distributed to the women.

 

The Eight workshop and the first one after Aparna’s wedding was organised at the Vinayakar Temple, Besant Nagar in the year 2010. At this time Kamala Mami was honoured with the Title by the Trio. For the first time, Varalakshmi Amma was welcomed at the auspicious “Gho Dhuli Neram” after worshipping Gho Maatha at the backyard of the Temple. This workshop was a remarkable one in many aspects. The newly wedded couple were gifted with Varalakshmi face by the Trio and were initiated to start the Pooja. Lord Ganesh in the Golden Charriot gave us darshan during the event which was very auspicious and blessed to all. Gayathri Krishnaveni Lakshmanan performed 3 dance items for the gods viz., Ganesha, Krishna and Lakshmi to mark the event. Prasadam was distributed to all the devotees.

 

The Ninth Workshop was conducted at Bhuvaneshwari Temple at KK Nagar in 2012, where people around the Temple gathered to witness the event with much enthusiasm. The Tenth programme was held in Aparna’s mother in law’s house at Casa Grande Milano at Adyar. Many women from different walks of life gathered and were amazed to witness the grand function. Prasadam was distributed to one and all.

 

In 2014 the Eleventh Pooja Vidhanam Workshop was conducted with much fanfare and grandeur in the newly bought house of the Trio at Srinivas Avenue, R.A. Puram. Their biological Mother Susheela in her 80s being the senior-most sumangali initiated the pooja by welcoming Goddess Varalakshmi and blessed everybody. It was a very colourful function altogether.

 

The Twelfth Event was conducted in the year 2015 at a Foundation parent’s house on a humble scale. People from the nearby houses gathered and were benefitted.

 

The Thirteenth workshop was organised at Kalyana Nagar Association, Mandavellipakkam, along with the Valaikaapu and Seemandham of one of the Foundation girl Smt. Jayanthi in 2016. It was a very auspicious event to combine both the functions and it gave us all a different experience. Traditional lunch was offered to one and all at the end of the Function.

 

In the year 2017, the Fourteenth Pooja workshop took a new dimension altogether. It was conducted for economically backward school children of Venkataramana Elementary School, Abhiramapuram. Children were awestruck to witness such a new event in their life. They were taught to make Pillayar Kodai, Kolam, Poo Jadai, Panju Vastram etc by the Trio and Sugathan. Children were divided into groups and they made these divine craftworks. Sugathan entertained them with divine dance on various gods. The students were given away with prasadams and other gifts at the end of the event. It was the most heart contended workshop for us which gave us peace and happiness. Through the innocent faces of Children, we saw God Almighty.

 

The Fifteenth workshop held in 2018 also gave us a new kind of experience with septuagenarians, octogenarians and nanogerians at the home for the aged “Anandam”, at Ambattur. The Poojas were a “Malarum Ninaivugal”  took the senior citizens to nostalgic memories of yester years. Every soul in the home was emotionally touched by our poojas and hearts of hearts wished us good luck. Sugathan and Swathy performed Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam respectively on these Gods which was a visual treat for them. All of them were given thamboolam and prasadam and they showered their blessings on the Brother and Sister.

 

The Sixteenth year Pooja workshop was held in 2019 at “Kadambari” – an affluent women’s group at Venus Colony, Alwarpet. On their request, we conducted the event amidst very colourful and gorgeous ambience. They were all thrilled to see the décor and the nuances of the workshop and learnt many things. It was one of the gorgeous workshops conducted. A sumptuous feast was arranged by Kadambari for all the guests.

 

The Mylapore Trio, Amarnath, Surendranth, Aparna shared their childhood experiences, values and knowledge inculcated to them by their Foster Parents through the workshop. Sugathan joined them since 2012 in this venture to contribute his might. Smt. Revathy and Smt. Prema joined hands with them for some years. But the Mylapore Trio continues the legacy of Smt. Sumukhi till date and would continue to do so…

 

The present state is that Smt. Susheela - the biological mother of the Trio who has been doing Varalakshmi Pooja in the Marathi style for decades had the broad mind to gift her antique and most auspicious Varalakshmi Mugam with a lot of sentiments and divine power attached to it to Sugathan’s family. Because She was influenced up by Sumukhi Amma’s brought up, She had the service mind and the revolutionary thought to instantly decide and present it to Sugathan and Family to continue her legacy. She was indeed a rare genre among persons to gift the age-old family Heirloom embedded with a lot of sentiments to him, even when she was alive. Today even after her, he continues to celebrate her legacy by performing Varalakshmi Pooja regularly in her name and hence her legacy is continued by the “Thiruvanmiyur Duo”. Next year he also purchased another Ambal Mugam for his Sister and with these 2 Mugams both the Brother and Sister continue to carry forward the cultural and spiritual values.

 

This is the story of “Pooja Vidhanam” for Past to Present, starting from the “The Mylapore Trio” to “The Thiruvanmiyur Duo”.

 

At the end, all the members shared their experiences with the Trio and Sugathan in organising this workshop for the past 16 years. The colourful journey took 3 hours but still, all were present till the end and shared their memorable moments of the past.

 

As per the diktat of the Foundation, all the participants were in colourful paatu sarees and kurthas.

 

The Programme ended with a happy note to meet again next week with a different Speaker and a Topic.

 

Results of the 1st "Siruvar Aadi Kalai Vizha" - 2020 (August)

 SRI SUMUKHI RAJASEKHARAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

1st "Siruvar Aadi Kalai Vizha" - 2020 - Online Competitions

55 Children participated in 10 Competitions

based on the Theme "Aadiyin Sirappu"

under Three Categories viz., Performing Arts, Fine Arts & Academic Arts.

RESULTS OF THE COMPETITION

Only the Names of the Prize Winners are listed above and 

the rest fall under the category of Participation or Absentee segment.

8th "Sumukhaiva Sadhas" - Virtual Meet on Sunday, 23rd August, 2020 at 4pm

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Report of the 7th Session of “SUMUKHAIVA SADHAS”

 “The Mylapore Trio” Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna, Sugathan and Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducted the 7^th ‘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 congregation consisted of a Professor, Art Director, Chartered Accountants, Ph.D Research Scholars, Retd. Principal, P.G Teachers, Bankers, Dancers, Musicians, Parents and Members of various fields. 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 followed by a questionnaire session. After a gap of 4 standstill months, this new concept of an Intellectual Meet through Online ‘THREADING VARIOUS FLOWERS OF DIFFERENT NATURE’ was accomplished overnight in July. THE COMMON THREAD WAS THE FOUNDATION WHICH BINDS ONE AND ALL.

 

The 7th Session was conducted on Sunday, 16^th August, 2020 from 4.15 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.

 

Surendranth – An Art Director welcomed the gathering and introduced the Speaker “Sakala Kala Valli”- Smt. Revathy Sankkaran, whom he said was really a person with Multi Talents. She is a Master of many Art Forms and hence The Mylapore Trio conferred the Title on her.  She presented a Programme on the Theme “Vande Mataram”. Surendranth said that she is a part of Our Foundation and has anchored many of Our Programmes which were conceptualised by the Trio. She once said that after Balachander the Trio directs her on her programmes conducted by the Foundation. Similar event was conducted on Independence Day Ten years back in 2010 by Our Organisation at Thakkar Baba Vidyalaya. Surendaranth said that History repeated today.  

 

Amarnath as a History Professor said that the Trio awere inculcated with Patriotism by Their Foster Father Shri. Rajasekharan, who was a Freedom Fighter and a Patriot. He narrated a few anecdotes from his father’s life. Once Rajasekharan was marching with a band of patriots holding the Congress flag in hand in Chittore (his native place). He was  by violating  section 144 which was in vogue. The police arrested him and brought him before the Chittor Magistrate… it was a bolt from the blue for him when he saw his own Father who was a Magistrate sitting in Judgement. Finally Rajasekharan was punished and fined and let off.

 

To remember another instance, Rajasekharan was an ardent follower of Rajaji and once when the police came to arrest him, he took asylum at Rajaji’s house. Rajaji made him lie on a mat and fully covered him with blankets. When the cops came searching for him Rajaji told them that the person lying was his daughter Namagiri who was suffering from smallpox and the police left immediately. Rajaji thus protected and saved Rajasekharan. Rajagopalachary also Presented Rajasekharan with a Parker Pen for his wedding which goes to say the greatness of Rajasekharan as True Patriot. When Mahatma Gandhi Passed away Rajasekharan went on fast for 3 Consecutive days and maintained Mouna Vritam. Amarnath said Appa and Amma used to feed us with all these nationalistic stories which has kindled the Trio’s patriotic fervour and chisled their character.

 

 

Aparna – a Chartered Accountant, shared her experiences at Kalakshetra. Both at Home and School she said that the Trio was molded with values. She also mentioned a few songs like ‘Thayin manikodi paareer’, ‘vaishnava janatho’, ‘paarukkule nalla naadu’ which were taught to them with a perfect blend of nationalism and perfection at Kalakshetra. She said that these things shaped their career and character.

 

The Speaker “Sakala Kala Valli” – Smt. Revathy Sankkaran was at the peak of enthusiasm and joy, again to be in the midst of Foundation. She was very glad to share her childhood experiences as a young girl in Madurai. She was just 5 years old, when India attained Independence  and she remembered the day when her family offered a feast to everyone who entered their house. This was the case in every household in India. She said that she had colourful experiences in Calcutta where she settled after marriage. People thought that she was a pure Bengali by looking at personality and her “Bengali’ accent while speaking. She felt that Bengalis were highly patriotic and natioanlist in their heart and soul.

 

She with her mellifluous voice sang many patriotic songs in fews languages. She sang “Vande Mataram”, “Jana Gana Mana” and few more Bengali songs with original pronunciation, flavour, style, tune and feel. Bharatiyar songs like ‘Aaduvome Pallu Paaduvome” “Endru Thaniyum intha Suthanthira Thaagam” were rendered by her very beautifully which brought tears in the eyes of the listeners. She also sang a gypsy song written by her which brings out secularism and national integration.

 

She opined that some Bharatiyar lyrics from the famous movie of yester years – ‘Naam Iruvar’ for which Baby Kamala danced hit the silver screen once upon a time. She elugised Mahakavi Bharatiyar and said but for him the national fervour would not have been spread like wildfire. She ended with the famous song “Shanthi Nilava Vendum” and all of us Stood for the National Anthem which she rendered with original style and flavour.

 

She felt happy to be in the Foundation limelight again and thanked the Trio, Sugathan for the opportunity given to her. She was reverbated with nostalgic memories of our programmes for which she anchored the thematic shows. She was surprised to see her brothers and sisters-in-laws from Madurai to witness her programme.

 

Her songs and speech were vibrating and music to our ears as usual. Her narration of her younger days took us to the dawning days of our Independence. Smt. Revathy said that she has proudly attached herself with the Trio and Sugathan because they promote the next generation with values of Bhakthi and Patriotism. She vowed that she would give her music and other collections to the Foundation so that it permeates through generations.

 

Surendranath said no thanks to her since she is a part of the Foundation and showered encomiums on her for her versatility and competence to showcase many art forms. He shared the memorable moments of the past when the Trio conceptualised thematic programmes and she rendered her own might in shaping the art forms.

 

Amarnath with his emotional outbursts brought back the ‘Real History’ of those days. He shared some original information on some aspects and occurrences that shaped History. He said that Mahatma Gandhi with his soul stirring personality encaptivated the whole country. Though he was instrumental in getting the much fought Freedom from the British, he never expected anything in return. Though Lord Mountbatten requested him to attend the 15^th August Celebration by offering a chartered flight, Gandhiji politely declined stating that he was busy bringing peace among Hindus and Muslims at Naokali. Amarnath felt that no human on this earth would ever miss this Historic Opportunity for which he was solely responsible. As ordinary mortals we would atleast ask for a seat in the VIP row….that was the Mahatma.

 

Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Amarnath said was a great patriot till the early decades of the 20^th Century and was even titled as the “Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity”. He took Muhammad Iqbal as his inspiration and finally succumbed to destiny of fate by promulgating the infamous ‘Two Nation Theory’ and ultimately achieved Pakistan.

 

Amarnath recollected a news item in the Hindu dated April/May 1987 in which an article seen as “Jinnah regretted Pakistan” which was a shocking surprise for him. He felt if only it were true, India would have never been bifurcated and remained integrated and united for ever.

 

Amarnath cited an instance about D.K.Pattammal when she was requested to sing Bharathiyar’s 3 popular songs at AIR Madras. “Aaduvome Pallu Paaduvome” “Paarukkule Nalla Naadu” and “Bharatha Samudhayam Vaazhgave’ which was directly aired throughout India ‘At the Stroke of Midnight Hour’ – a great blessing to her bestowed by Mother India.

 

Amarnath expressed his anguish regarding the contemptuous attitude of  people towards “History”. That is the reason that the younger generation is not attracted towards the subject and this ultimately resulted in youth losing Patriotism and Nationalism. Hence it must be made a compulsory subject to every Indian citizen.

 

Sugathan shared some memories of his Grandfather who was a great patriot who served the Indian Army for decades and was honoured with a Plaque and Citation for his unmatched sacrifices. He was fortunate to be a part of the Independence Day Celebrations at Delhi on 15^th August 1947.  He said that he was very much inspired through listening to his chivalrous stories through his grandmother and mother. He also opined that currently national days are not observed properly in the correct sense. It has just become a dogma to enjoy the holiday and forget the significance behind it.

 

The Second part of the Sadhas was ‘NATURO-UPAYA’ in which Sugathan – Secretary, who is also a Naturopath gave some Tips on natural remedies for ailments. He recommended Ortho Herb of Pankaja Kasturi for joint pains and bone problems. Revathy Amma also consulted and sought Sugathan’s advice on using these ortho herbs for her bone ailments. The medical suggestions of Sugathan was well received and appreciated by all the visitors gathered at the Sadhas.

 

As per the diktat of the Foundation, all the participants were in Traditional Attire with the National Tri Colour and Blue as the Colour Code. The same tricolour costume worn by the Mylapore Trio This Day That Age during the Independence Day Celebration a decade back at Vinobhave Hall was again worn this day – a rare coincidence.

 

The Programme ended with a happy note to meet again next week with a different Speaker and a Topic.