It was a historic Tuesday, 11th of September 2018 for “The Mylapore Trio”, Sugathan, Members of the Foundation. The annual “Pooja Vidhanam” workshop which was hitherto conducted exclusively for women was slightly modified and conducted exclusively for Senior Citizens this time. The quintessence percolated and permeated to the bottom line only to cheer, enthuse and inculcate sublime values to the most socially and economically weaker sections of “ANANDAM” – A Free Home for Senior Citizens at Ambattur.
As desired by Surendranath, Smt. Vasanthi Balaji one of Our Foundation member suggested “ANANDAM” to be the right choice to conduct the Pooja workshop and it happened on the historic day of Shri. Rajasekharan’s 103rd Birthday.
The Trio, Sugathan, members derived a great degree of satisfaction and contentment to share the basics and nuances of the three famous Gods viz., Vinayaka, Krishna, Lakshmi and their Festivals. Around 100 elders participated and enjoyed the divine decorations and our inputs.
The stage at the Prayer Hall was aptly decorated, colorfully with the Foundation Banner, Traditional Maalais and Pattu Sarees draped in background and foreground. The three Gods were placed in appropriate spaces and bedecked – Lord Ganesha and Lord Krishna on pedestals and Varalakshmi inside a traditional Mandapam.
The programme started around 3.30pm with Aparna, Gayathri and Swathi lighting the Kuthuvilakku. Amarnath gave an elaborate introduction about the Foundation and historical information about these Festivals. Surendranath narrated stories about the Gods - Ganesh, Krishna and Lakshmi. Swathi performed Mohiniyattam for a Ganesha Sthuthi which was amazing. Sugathan performed Bharatanatyam on Parthasarathy which was delightful. Both the Brother-Sister Duo captivated the Audience. Their bhaava & abhinaya and more so their innate devotion and involvement in the dance got them accolades from one and all.
The Trios – Surendranath, Amarnath, Aparna and Sugathan demonstrated various art and craft work related to these poojas like Pillayar Kudai, Krishnar Paadham, Pavazhamalli Maalai, Panju Vasthram, Amman Jadai.
All The Elders of all age groups and different cross section of the society were highly stunned to see them doing such cultural and spiritual work at this young age. Really all of them were spellbound and awe struck with the spiritual art and craft demonstrated by them in live especially the Amman Jadai. At the end of the workshop a very Senior Sumangali who is one of the inmates performed Mangala Aarathi as wished by the Trios.
All the inmates were given Thamboolam by Sugathan and Swathi who in turn blessed them with utmost love and affection from the bottom of their hearts. The Foundation members presented themselves in this distinctive programme in gorgeous Traditional Attire.
The Sexagenarians Septuagenarians Octogenarians and Nonagenarians opined that it was the first time that they have been exposed to such a unique Spiritual and Cultural Event in the HOME. All of them felt that it was a great BHAAGYAM AND PUNYAM to have witnessed such an event. Many of them recalled their childhood experiences in performing these Poojas. Most of them went down memory lane reminiscing their childhood days. Some of them gave rejoinders to some historical facts. They said that the workshop was very comprehensive and covered all aspects under one umbrella including Religion, History, Morals, Legends, Art, Craft, Music, Dance etc. They all said that many cultural functions have taken place in the Home like Poojas, Music Concerts, Discourses etc. but nothing like this have ever happened. This programme was holistic and comprehensive covering all aspects of Culture and Religion. Hard to believe, almost all of them at that ripe age offered their Pranams to us without an iota of ego or shyness. The workshop ended with a spiritual and a satisfactory note. The hospitality was ultimate from the beginning by all the inmates. Lunch and Dinner was served with utmost love and affection which was even otherwise saathvic and sumptuous. What a bhakthi and dedication we could find in them !… its is inexplicable. Some of them even helped us in arranging things for the Pooja. The artistic décor was a real spectacular feast for all of them indeed. The workshop ended with a spiritual note soaked in philosophical mood. We were in such a state of mind with full of satisfaction for having made the elders very happy at least in the evening of their life, but at the same time our hearts were heavy to leave them, since we were drenched in the Love Yearning Eyes and Longing hearts of many human islands. But still they have webbed around them an intact network of love and care to live the rest of their life in a family like atmosphere craving for loving relationships…..
The Trios on their part thanked the HOME for providing them an opportunity to share their thoughts and time with the BEARERS OF HISTORY. The Mylapore Trios felt that they were exposed to such a great deal of cultural and spiritual aspects even during their babyhood by their Foster Parents and that has chiseled them to be the “Torch Bearers of Culture”. “To share our experiences to the persons who are embodiment of experiences was an experience in itself”. Learning is a life process….
