“The Mylapore Trio” Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna, Sugathan and Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducted the 7th ‘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, 16th 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 15th 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 20th 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 15th 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.
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