Sunday, October 31, 2010

Roots OF OUR SRI RAMA BAJANAI Mutt

Roots OF OUR SRI RAMA BAJANAI Mutt
AT MAHADANA VEEDI - TIRUVIDAIMARUDUR
We TDR ites are well aware that our “SRI RAMA BAJANAI MADAM “is centrally located at our Mahadana Veedi, Tiruvidaimarudur and is the nerve centre of our activities. We chanted Vishnu Sahasranamam there, attended and enjoyed Radha Kalyanam, heard spiritual discourses, got thrilled by Carnatic music performances, Bhajans, etc…etc,,.

Most of us….Why?…. even our earlier generation may not be knowing the roots of our Bajanai mutt, its story, its glory, how it came to us…so on and so forth.


I thought it fit to bring out the sanctity and age old backdrop of our Bhajanai madam, which I came to know through Late Ekanatha Vajapeyar (Father of Sekar), while we were all talking in Vaasal Thinnai in the early 70’s. The truth is through hear say and at the moment, I don’t have any authenticated backing on hand.

I will take you……Come on…..Let us go….

After the fall of Nayak Rule in Thanjore and Vijaya Nagar Rule in a war at ghost city of Hampi, Marathas conquered Thanjore under the leadership of Venkoji, the half brother of Chatrapathi Shivaji.  Originally, Shivaji ordered his brother to conquer Chenji from the Clutches of Nawab of Karnatic and handover back to the singh family of the same Marathas.  Maratha kings were the known patronisers of Bajanai samprathayam since it is an easy and simple way of worshiping and reaching GOD. Moreover, they are assimilated towards Sitarama and Radhekrishna Bhajan due to the influence of Samartha Ramadasar, Guru of Shivaji, who blessed him for forming his own kingdom.

Marathas are deeply involved in Bhajans by constructing a Mutt and chant Bhagawan namas / sing songs rather than constructing temples. This influence spread across the Chola Mandalam in places like Melattur, Veppathur, Bhagavathapuram, Bhaskararajapuram, Maruthanallur, Tiruvisanallur, Govindapuram, Tiruvidaimarudur etc,. Of the above places, Marudhaanallur is the citadel of Bhajans.

At that time, in Tanjore belt, a new Nama Sangeethana Pathithi was introduced and influenced to a great extent across the Chola mandalam by Bhagavan Nama Bodendra swamigal, Sadasiva Bramendral, Maruthanallur swamigal, Sree Narayana Theerthar, Sreedara Venkateswara Ayyaval, to name a few. They are all composers of Bhajan songs in Sanskrit and Telugu. Their intoxicating songs with lovely tunes propagated the methodology of the pathithi.  With passage of time, pathithi was accepted, adopted all over south and was admired even by Marata community.

At that time, Sreedara Venkatesa Ayyaval was living in Tiruvisanallur. We are well aware about Sri Sri Aiyyaval as we use to go to Tiruvisanallur often, including on Karthigai Amavaasya day, to take bath in the holy well where he brought Ganga.  I am not going to elaborate about his entire life story. Nevertheless, I would like to tell just one incident connected to him.

At one point of time, the Marata king was informed by some vested interests having affinity towards Vaishnava sect that Ayyaval is a staunch devotee and worshiper of Shiva, especially Lord Mahalingam of Tiruvidaimarudur temple and he will never compose any song on other Gods,… he won’t even visit any vhaisnavite temple. This made Marata king angry who made an arrangement for a festival of Radha Kalyanam at the Bajanai madam of Tiruvisanallur.  He also ordered to organize a procession in a chariot of the God to go round all the streets in the area, so as to ascertain whether Ayyaval will offer coconut and harathi to the God or not.

Somehow, Ayyaval knew the aforesaid arrangement and he did not express anything about it to anybody. As usual, on the evening of the said day, he went to Mahalinga swamy temple, Tiruvidaimarudur to have dharshan of the Lord, came back to his house, took dinner and retired to bed. At night, about ten o’ clock, while in his bed, he heard  the sound of Thavil Melam…., suddenly got up from the bed, sat on the ounjal in his house and started writing a slogam in a palm leaf.  After completing the same, he put that palm leaf in his pooja room and gone back to bed.

At about 11 PM, when the chariot of the procession turned towards the street corner where Ayyaval reside, suddenly the photo of Radhakrisha, which was in the procession disappeared and everybody started shouting about the disappearance of the photo. After some time, one bhagavathar in the procession found a palm leaf on the chariot where the photo of Radhakrishna was seated and gone through the writings since he knows the grantha libi. He immediately took the palm leaf and ran to the palace at TDR where the Marata king resided at that time (hope everybody is aware about the palace, of course in a ruined condition now, stretching from Mahadana Veedhi to Vadakku Veedhi). 

The King got the palm leaf at about 12 mid night and gone through the same. Immediately, he took his horse and straight went to Ayyaval’s house. To his surprise, he saw the photo of Radha Krishna on the ounjal at Ayyaval’s house. He put his forehead on the feet of Ayyaval, offered namaskaram and apologized for his immature act.  Ayyaval, in turn told the king to take back Radhakrishna’s photo for keeping in his palace and added that Lord Mahalingam blessed it.

After many years, the photo came back to TDR palace where Amarsingh of Maratha dynasty lived in TDR.  As per History, the Marathas lost the kingdom to British and the family roots also disappeared due to lack of male issues. One great woman from the family, Balamani bai, handed over the photos of Sitarama, Radhakrishna to the public of Mahadhana Veedi and donated a small portion of her house for public worship, which was situated opposite to the present Bhajanai Mutt. For some time, the Mutt was at her house. After some time, Balamanibai passed away.

Vasudeva Naik’s grandfather was a minister in Maratha’s kingdom. After his demise, Vasudeva Naik’s father purchased one piece of land, constructed a house and donated for “Dwadhasi kattalai”. He also offered one corner from the piece of land for the Bhajanai mutt, as it was situated in a female’s house. Here the Mutt started in a thatched hut. 

After some time Natesa Sastrigal, father of Mani Sastrigal (whom we all know) and Tiruvaliangudi Ramasamy Sastrigal (father of TVR sir), planned a pucca building for the Mutt with the help of Mahadanaveedi People.
Yes….that is our Bhajanai madam.
With this background, Our Bhajanai mutt stands proudly at present in Mahadana Veedhi, a standing witness to our childhood days.  I will recollect the telling stories of our mutt after 1950 in Part II.

Let us be proud about our Tiruvidaimarudur and we are fortunate enough to be born and brought up at TDR under the shadow of Lord Mahalinga and our Bhajanai Mutt.

 ……Bye for the time being..

G. Sridhar
S/O Late Ganesan
Vanchi’s brother

Our Bhajanai Mutt – Part II

    From 1950 onwards………

Hope, everybody would have enjoyed the roots of our famous Bhajanai mutt. Thanks for your mails, phone calls….really I was thrilled. We all should thank TOSA for laying a solid platform to share these type old glories. History cannot be erased and in fact, TOSA created a history in itself by remaining a solid platform in a village.  Alumnis / old students’ Association are normally used to be there only in cities and we have changed the trend and you……, you in particular is a party to it.  Be proud enough.

There was a fillip in the activities of our Bhajanai Mutt  from 1950s. This is mainly due to untiring efforts of Brahma Sri Mani Sasthrigal, Sundaram Doctor, Maligai kadai Balakrishna Iyer, G.Swaminatha Iyer(GS Sir), Drillmaster Ganesa Iyer, Venkatrama Bhagavathar etc…etc….etc…. It is very difficult to name everybody.    Yes,…very much a collective effort.  In 1960’s, when Mahaperiyava camped at TDR for several months, renovated Sankara madam and asked to renovate the Bajanaimadam by fixing a bell on the top. He also asked the local people to form a Samajam in the name as Asthiga Samajam to patronize the Mutt by conducting Radha Kalyanam, Sita Kalyanam, Ramayana, Bharatha and Bhagavatha pravachanam and rendering Vishnushasranama parayanam on every evening and a pidi arisi thittam for daily pooja and naivedhyam.

Mahaperiyava advised Mayavaram Sundaresa Iyer who was a master on his own in the Bajanai Pathithi to coordinate with Ragunandana Iyer (My grandfather), a Sanskrit’s scholar, to translate all bajanai songs from Grantham and Telugu Lipi to Devanagari and Tamil Lipi to enable Mr.Sundaresa Iyer to teach all the men and women folk of TDR, without expecting any monitory consideration. Thus, Sambradhaya bhajans, Radha Kalyanam, Seetha Kalyanam, Carnatic music, pravachanams had become the order of those days in our Bhajanai mutt. All bigwigs have performed  concerts at our Mutt. 

Both Sundaresa Iyer and Raghunandana Iyer accomplished the task and a book with the complete pathithi was printed in MLJ Press of Raobahadur Manja Iyear of Pachaiayappa Mudali Street. It was distributed at free of cost to all. Mahaperiyava also advised Manja Iyer to oversee the Asthiga Samajam for some time. Sundaresa Iyer was the pillar behind and organised all the events. During his final stage of life, Sundaresa Iyer taught all the pathithi to Sri Venkatrama Bhagavathar and asked him to continue the service.

After some time, our GREAT Sundaram doctor took over the Asthiga Samajam as President. We are all aware about his application, concentration, dedication, devotion, determination, last but not the least, his commitment to the cause. He invited all the renowned people for Musical performances, Pravachanams, Radha Kalyanams etc. All the upanyasagars used to stay in Sundaram Doctor’s house for ten days and more including Manjakudi Rajagopala Sastrigal, Sengalipuram Anantharama Dikshidar, Simizhi Gopala Vajapeyar, Sri Vanchiyam, Vaamana Bhagavathar etc.

He purchased Amplifier and Mike and arranged Vishnu Sahasranama Parayanam on every day evening. Our beloved Venkatrama Sir, Kannan Sir, Vanchi Sir, Santhanam Sir, pasupathy Iyer, T.V.R.Sir Thangam Bank Mani Iyer, Drill Master Ganesa Iyer, Maligaikadai Balakrishna Iyer, to name a few ably supported Sundaram Doctor, in his endeavours. Our G.S Sir was instrumental in conducting Vishnu Sahasranamam on everyday evening. Sriman Nageswara Sastrigal acted as Asthana vidwan of our Bajanai Mutt. With limited resources, beautiful Dramas were enacted by Venkatrama sir, Kannan Sir, Govindapuram Ramani Sir (china Art Master), Dhandu of Guhan Studio, Cycle Kadai Sundaram Pillai etc.

Mani Sastrigal and GS taught Vishnu Sahasranama Parayanam to all the students during that time. Being a good innovative artist, Mani Sastrigal used to do  decoration work in  flowers during Radha & Sita Kalyanam.

Not only that, he was the best friend of Nadaswara Vidwan N.Veerusamy Pillai who was an all India figure, during his life time.  At the initiative of Mani Sasthrigal, Veerusamy Pillai gave a full-fledged Nadaswara performance in the Sita Kalyana Mahostavam at our Bajanai Mutt.  On that day, entire Mahadana Veedi was jam-packed to hear his concert.

Venkatrama Bhagavathar took the service of Bhajan after the old age of Sundaresa Iyer. Actually he is the sishya of Sundaresa Iyer. Venkatrama Bhagavathar taught Bhajanai Pathithi to all sections of the society not only in TDR but also, in and around Tanjoore Dist, which is now spread in every nook and corner. One can very well say, he was the real Bhajan Samrat ever since the pathithi was formed which was meant to propagate the Bhakthi movement in our society. Today, most of the Bhagavathars claim that they are the sishya of Venkatrama Bhagavathar.  Can we forget his vengalak..kural kirthanais, Mani Sasthrigal’s high pitch bhajan songs, Mirudhangam Radha’s melodious Balamurali krishna’s voice etc during those Margazhi month bhajan days ? Still, it is in our memory / ears.

Sri Krisha Premi Swamigal learnt Namavali from Venkatrama Bhagavathar as  told by him in Bhakthi Vikatan weekly Tamil edition. Udayaalur Kalyanaraman is also one of the  sishya of Venkatrama Bhagavathar. Like that, many Bhagavathar’s in our southern part claims that they are all either sishyas or paramartha sishyas of Venkatrama Bhagavathar

Our beloved teacher Venkatrama Sir used to tell that he used to go to Venkatrama Bhagavathar’s house, every day to read to him daily news papers (Hindu, Dinamani, Ananda Vikatan) and in turn Bhagavathar will teach Namavali to him. In the process, our Sir became a master in Bhajan songs. For the benefit of a few, who do not know Venkatrama Bhagavathar, let me say that he had no vision in both eyes.  In those days, margazhi maasa bhajan was a grand event at TDR. We used to go to temple at 4 a.m and start the Bhajan and end up at Veeracholan pillayar temple at 7.30 a.m with a really beautiful ven-pongal. Sundaram doctor, Bhajanai Mali, Drill master Ganesa Iyer, Maligai kadai Balakrishna Iyer, Mani Sashtrigal, Agasthiyar Rajam are the ring masters of our Bhajan event.

During those days, a shocking incident also happened at our Mutt. Yes, there was a theft of priceless Tanjoore painting of Ramar pattabhishekam photo, Radhakrishna photo………stolen by miscreants. Entire Mahadana Street was shell shocked as if they have lost their own kith and kin. Luckily, at that time, Shri Radha Krishnan happened to be the IG of police. He is from our soil, our Mahadana Street, our school and he visited TDR, formed a special police team and nabbed the culprits, brought back the treasure to our Mutt. The joy of TDR knew no bounds at that time.

My dear friends, we are the proud owners of such glory, enviable past. I am really happy that our friends like Appu, Individual, Mohan, Balagowri, Viji, postal Raji, Murthy, builder Sitaraman and many others have purchased residential plot at Mahadana veedhi, opposite to our Bhajanai Mutt and going to settle at TDR. Of course, many will follow. Let us revive the past glory, past memories and create a vibrant TDR, vibrant Bhajanai Mutt.  

There is a saying in English,
If you share your joy….joy will increase,.
If you share your sorrow…sorrow will decrease,.
If you share your knowledge….knowledge will increase manifold

But, now……..I have shared my memories…..…cherished my memories and took you all to our golden school days.

We should really feel proud of being born and brought up at TDR….genuinely feel proud of being a TOSA member.

G. Sridhar
S/O Late Ganesan
Vanchi’s brother 

Feedback to :gsn1000@gmail.com ; tdrtimes@gmail.com

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Ramjis Pages

Ramji's Pages can be viewed from http://ramjispages.blogspot.com/

Sri Sridhar With Hon.Minister.Kabilsibal. Hon.Higher Education minister Ponmudi on the inauguration day at Thiruvaroor central University.-

Sri Sridhar With Hon.Minister.Kabilsibal. Hon.Higher Education minister Ponmudi on the inauguration day at Thiruvaroor central University.-

Message Sent by Sri Sridharan on Sangamam III held at Mahabalipuram 01/05/10 and on 02/05/10

Dear Friends,

I am proud  to be a student from the TAHS.  After a struggle in the prime age for want of money and a recognition in the social life, I learnt from the great masters of our TAHS how one could maintain the serenity and how one could come out of difficult situations through  the traditional teaching. Born in a middle class Brahmin family and bought up in a remote village Naduvakkarai, which is about 6 Kms. From Tiruvidaimarudur, where our TAHS gave me a shelter for education. Joining in 6th standard, pursuing till 11th standard, the five years ran so fast and I had to learn typewriting and shorthand for which our Ayyappa Technical Institute gave me the booster. Coming through many odds in life, I left the village on 23rd August 1967 and reached Bombay and was taken care of by my uncle.

In October 1967, I could get a typist’s job in a private office where the salary was Rs.100/- p.m. ; then joined Income Tax as a Stenographer to the Income Tax Officer and served for only one month after which I had an opportunity to join Reserve Bank as a typist on 6th October 1969. Salary I received at the Reserve Bank was Rs.260/- Having the responsibility of bringing up my two younger brothers I used to send Rs.150 to my parents and leaving with me only Rs.110/- for my train pass and other expenses. Days rolled on and in the year 1971, I was promoted as a Stenographer. In the ladder I struggled and I could become a Private Secretary (which is in the Officer’s cadre). In the year 2007, I became the Secretary to one of the Deputy Governors and in November 2007 I became the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor (Dr.Y.V.Reddy and then to Dr.D.Subbarao, present Governor of the RBI). Earlier in my capacity as the stenographer I worked under Dr.I.G.Patel, Dr.C.Rangarajan, Shri Malhotra. With the blessings of our teachers, I could come out with an unblemished service record of nearly 40 years with the  RBI and even after my retirement, God has been kind enough in affording me an opportunity in Thiruvarur, as the Private Secretary to the Vice Chancellor, Central University of Tamil Nadu.  Words of our Head Master, Shri M.A.Rajagopala Iyengar who made a remark when I signed the SSLC book, saying that “are you thinking you are the RBI Governor” had come true in one sense to retire from RBI as the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, RBI.
Longing for 10 paise in school days, LORD proved me to be the hypothetically a rich person having been the Principal Private Secretary to the authority who has the power to sign the currency notes on one side and after my retirement, LORD fulfilled my dream, though not able to continue my academic  career, by giving me an opportunity to work as the Secretary to the Vice Chancellor of Central University of Tamil Nadu at Thiruvarur. LORD bestowed me this opportunity after retirement and in a place closer to our Thiruvidaimarudur. What a great coincidence!

I only appeal to the younger generation, please be sincere, honest, loveable and beyond all these qualities, try to follow the ethical way of life and rest of the things leave it to the discretion of the creator, HE will take care of you!

This is the III sangamam, there will be lot of our fraternity attending this Meet and I hope, in the days to come, this Sagamam will be converted into Sagara Sangamam. Ocean of  friends!

Though I tried to attend, I am unable to do so on account of unavoidable official commitment. I am thankful to one and all for showing me their concern and love and desired that I should attend this meet but unfortunately I am not going to be there physically present amongst you but by my mental stamina I will imagine, dream and enjoy every moment of these two days i.e. 1st and 2nd May 2010.

All the very best to all of you.

I will be happy to accept any responsibility that may be entrusted to me and I shall strive hard to be a nodal point for organizing such meets at frequent intervals. Thanks for reposing faith in me.!

Memories rewound in TAHS- 5 RBI Sridhar

I was studying in the X Standard - B Section. Our class teacher was Shri Krishnaswamy (known as Kitti Sir) and a person with perfection in all respects. Loveable,soft spoken and at the same time strict. However I could find a place in his heart and he used to love me especially for my handwriting in English and scoring tolerable marks to his satisfaction. Kitti Sir never stopped his teaching only to English but any period, any class he will handle with his superb style and knowledge. It was in the month of September 1964.
               My family used to anticipate postman at the end of moth for receiving money order either from my uncle or my father from a very far off place. Everything depends on receipt of money order and even a delay of a week will put the house in dried up condition of the required provision in which rice is very important to fill our stomach. This time lot of delay in receiving money order and my grandmother who used to be so concerned about us could not do anything with her influence to ask for any financial help from either the neighbours or any known person. On that day morning I was also equally worried and of course I had the scope of asking my friends but I restrained myself and with this thought I was standing at one of the steps of the staircases which leads to the class in the newly constructed building (of course it was new at that time). Kitti Sir was coming down in those steps and saw my depressed face and asked me with lot of concern as to what was my problem. When I narrated him the story and the agony in which I was submerged, he immediately took out a small diary which he used to keep in his pocket and started scanning through each and every page which took at least 2 minutes to find out a two rupee note and he removed and gave it to me and said "Go straight to Rao's rice shop in Tiruvidaimarudur and take 6 litres of rice which would cost you around Re.1 and 80 paise(at that time a litre was 30 paise) and you will have a balance of 20 paise in which you could eat some thing and take home the rice and give it to your grandmother". I cannot, in my life, forget this incidence and the quality of the master who had compassion built in him. A great Master for me and I always remember him.
Such is the greatness of our school and teacher and let us not forget them forever and why? even till the last breathe departs from our body.
Feedback to: naduvakkarai@rediffmail.com

Memories rewound in TAHS -4 RBI Sridhar

Mass drill used to be conducted in the ground and all classes will gather with a band master and a leader showing the steps of the drill every time. Before doing this drill, all the PTs will try to adjust the rows of their respective classes. As usual Balaraman/Seetharam were there present in the mass drill and when PSR was adjusting the rows of his class boys, he could not communicate with his voice and there used to be through the sign he will be understood by the boys to move on the left and right to make a uniform line. In the process when PSR was waving his hand on the right side to adjust the line, Balaraman understood the sign as if PSR tells him to go out of the line and go home. Balaraman slowly came out of the row and by virtue of his being at the end, there was no possibility of PSR seeing him slipping out of the row. In the end, Balaraman escaped the drill and went home. When practical attendance was taken, PSR found that Balaraman though was there at the time of the beginning of the drill, he was missing at the time of taking stock of the situation. As usual there used to be an Ettappan in every class and somehow, the information of Balaraman escaping the drill to reach home was put in the ears of PSR. Next day, first thing, before the class started, there was a call from Head Master's room for Balaraman. Balaraman to his surprise found PSR was present at the HM's room and started shouting at Balaraman for showing indiscipline to the mass drill and had to harshly treat Balaraman, with the permission of the HM, to make him stand on the scorching Sun for 2 hrs. When the punishment was over, Balaraman slowly approached PSR and told him the circumstances under which he escaped the drill as he mistook the sign of PSR as asking him to go out of the row. PSR then laughed and said that Balaraman was so shrewed in misinterpreting the sign to his favour.
Kannan Sir was known for his soft nature and a very sobre type of teacher. He normally never gets angry. He used take mathematics classes for VIII Std. where Balaraman/Seetharaman used to sit together. There was a problem which Kannan Sir gave to find out if in a day so many hours if persons work they require about 16 persons and if it is going to be an increased hours of work in a day, how many persons would be required. The maths requires to work out with keeping X as the value to find out. After giving sufficient time of say 10 mts. Kannan Sir came to Balaraman and asked him as to what was the answer that derived. Immediately the wise student said "Sir, I got the anser as 18-1/2" Kannan Sir asked him how could it be the men required be 18 - 1/2 ? Balaraman's presence of mind worked to answer that 1/2 represents the "chiththal" meaning half the full man hours. Kannan Sir's anger knew no bounds and he slapped Balaraman on his cheek and said how could be in a man hours you get 1/2 man and that Balaraman should be very careful in doing maths to the correctness and silly mistakes like this will not be tolerated. A great laught in the class submerged with Kannan Sir's angry look.
.......to be continued
15/09/2009

Memories rewound in TAHS -3 RBI Sridhar

Another incident that occurs to me will be very much interesting.
There were three muskteers in my class - seetharaman/balaraman/kalyanaraman. This combination was inseparable. It was a day when Hindi agitation was at its peak. Everywhere Hindi letters were painted in tar to block and in all the walls and blank spaces available, Tamil's prominence was written and slogans against Hindi were appearing. In this background, Balaraman was taking active part and went outside the school and with the help of others, he was trying to write with charcol "Hindi Ozhiga". By the time he was writing on the wall of the school which was then newly painted, he wrote only the word Hindi, Head Master, Shri M.A.Rajagopala Iyengar came on the spot and hit Balaraman on his neck, of course not with strong hand. Immediately, Balaraman fell on the ground and pretended as if he was in a fainting stage. Shri Rajagopala Iyengar was in an anxiety mood and called at his top of his the name Uthirapathi, who was a Peon. Uthirapathi appeared like a Hanuman before Sri Rama and with folded hands asked the HM, what was the problem. Immediately HM ordered for a soda in the nearby shop through Uthirapathi. Within two minutes soda arrived and Uthirapathi tried to sprinkle the soda on the face of Balaraman. HM rushed back to his room with anxiety but in the meantime, Balaraman slowly opened his eye and asked whether HM has gone back to his seat. When the answer was positive, he immediately got up and drank the remaining soda, which was a precious item those days, as it was costing around 10 paise, and started searching for the charcol and completed the sentence with the addition of word Ozhiga!
11/09/2009

Memories rewound in TAHS -2 RBI Sridhar

  • After finishing the sumptuous marriage lunch, I straight ran to the school for attending the class. It was around 2.30PM, the class was going on in a serious mood and the class teacher was none other than GS who was strict in his own way. I waited outside the class and the non-detail on Three Muskteers was in progress. A serious mood for GS and he did not even look out to see me. When the class got over and GS came out to enquire why I was late. When I started telling him about the purpose, he asked me whether I came to school to study or attending marriages for lunch? A great question for him, a dilemma to answer for me at that time for lack of maturity. GS is know for his short temperament and critical analysis of every student. I kept quiet and that period went away with a small prick of his satirical approach.
Incidents are many to quote and if it is needed, the link of these mails could be combined together to make a book. With that intention I am continuing this e.mail.
Sports day used to be celebrated with gaiety in our School. As usual the sports event will start early in the morning itself and to start with the running race, hop step and jump, high jump, relay are conducted in the morning hours. As I have to come from a village, far away from the school, early morning hours are difficult to get up and come. But in spite of this, I gave my entry for the running race. Those of them who studied between the years 1961-62 might be aware of two brothers i.e. Singapore brothers Kumar and Gopal had carved their own niche in the sports field and never allowed any one to come first in any event of sports. Even then my entry was accepted and I prepared mentally to participate on that occasion. I got up in the early morning around 5.30AM and I told my grand mother that I am going to participate in the sports event. She advised me not to venture because it would be more strenuous to walk all the way from the village and go and getting tired and participate willl not bring any positive yield. Young blood with boiling mood I told her that I will go and participate and after an argument I was allowed. She insisted that I should eat at least Curd bath and go. I started filling my stomach with sumptuous curd bath (pazhayadhu) with pickle. I ate more than I need thinking that I will get stamina to run. I started walking the way towards the school. It was delayed and started running little when the stuff inside my stomach started tilting from left to right. I went to the school and it was only 3 minutes to start the race and PS Ramachandran who was the PT teacher shouted at me about my delay and said to come and stand on the starting line. With deep breath I went and took my position. I was looking on my right and left to know the familiar faces and to my surprise both Singapore brothers were there in the competition. I decided my fate on the spot and by virtue of prestige I stood firmly and when PSR blew the whistle and I started running thinking I could do some thing. The curd bath started creating a typhoon inside the system and the water that went along with that started creating a great sound in the stomach which I heard clearly. To my surprise I could see two or three contenders were behind me which convinced me that I am faster than them. At last as usual Kumar was declared first and Gopal second and Ekambaram was third. Great day. When I returned I had to face my grand mother who already predicted my failure!
 -10/12/2009

Memories rewound in TAHS- 1 -RBI Sridhar

It was in the year 1960, I joined the TAHS in the 6th form (now it is called VIth standard).
 Class was covered by roof made out of coconut tree leaves woven with architecutral beauty and gave a very cool shade. Coming from a very far away place - about 7 Kms walking from a remote village known as Naduvakkarai to Tiruvidaimarudur gave me a thrilling experience. My seniors about 3/4 students used to come from this village and exactly we used to start from home at 8.00AM to reach class puncutally.
  I have to come across Palm trees before the place Thirubuvanam crossing two canals with vast paddy fields, full of green carpet spread all over and the scene itself did have the cooling effect to the eyes and the feelings were as if we were walking along with a colourful world of nature. Water snakes tresspassing along with crabs, coconut trees making a buzzing sound coupled with many fruit trees like guava,pine apples made me a temporary owner of these places. Of course povery was the only tool which we could not properly handle in the family. A very medium ayyangar family, always looking at the arrival of a postman to the village with money orders from far away places like Bombay/Chennai. My grandmother and mother brought me up along with my two brothers in a very dignified manner though there was shortage of finance in the family. Curd bath was the staple food for all of us and even in the lunch time, I used to bring the same packed in a dry banana leaf with a little pickle Narthangai. At the lunch time, there used to be a big group share the lunch brought from different homes.

Mahadhana Street from where students and friends used to come were ruling majority in the school and no doubt the name Mahalingam was the prominent,eminent and above all, a great recognition due to the Mahalingaswamy being the diety of that place. We used to confuse between one mahaling and the other and pet names will be conferred on each every individual to identify them. For example, PMali,chinnagu mali, S Mali, K.Mali,Pattabi Mali and so forth. My close friend one Sri Ramachandran was staying behind Mahadana Veedhi and I became very close to their family. Those days during school hours, one cannot leave class and go for any marriage to take lunch.

However, Kitti Sir was my class teacher for whom I as a pet student. I went and stood before him with silence and he asked what was my problem. I sought his permission to attend the marriage of the sister of Sri Ramachandra. He said "Go and come back as soon as possible and attend other classes" My joy knew no bounds and I ran so fast that I did not see anything except the imaginary jangiri and kunjaladu before my eyes. These were very precious items and hence attachment was more for these items of eatables. I ran so fast I dashed against a cyclist only to see bleeding on my forehead. In spite of this I somehow I managed to get up from the dust and started running towards the Mahadhana veedhi and at last I reached the place where lunches were served almost all the people and there was no place to sit.Seeing my agony, Sreeramachandran called me insited and told me to site in a place where I had to squeeze my entire body and supported myself on the small wooden pillar in the middle of the house after cleaning my forehead which was bleeding still. The food items were dropped on my banana leaf one by one and I felt that some kind of boon has been granted by the Lord to make me eat all those items...........(to be continued )