Margazhi Maadha Bhajan……Marudhooril…..

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From Sridhar’s cupboard

Margazhi Maadha Bhajan……Marudhooril…..

(oru flash back)

          In those days, we used to study upto B.A…B.Sc…in Kumbakonam College after graduating from our Aadheenam High School. Iyappa Technical Institute will be the ladder for us to equip ourselves with Typewriting and Shorthand knowledge. With this background, many of our TDR ites are in Top Position now. Many of us are also in the habit of receiving awards through our invaluable contribution by way of sheer commitment. By GOD’s grace, we are giving good education and almost… all our children are Engineers, CAs, MBAs, Doctors, Entrepreneurs…so on and so forth.  The Bible, Khuran, Gita of MBA,. Whether it is Finance or Management…the three Dharaka mantras are Planning …Budget…and Execution.

          How our stalwarts of TDR organized the Margazhi Maadha Bhajan at our place ? Shall we have a look at it ? A fitting testimony of  Planning …Budget…and Execution.



          Sundaram Dr, Maligai kadai Balakrishna Iyer, Drill Master Ganesa Iyer, Vaanchi Sir, Engineer Kittu, Venkatrama Sir, TVR, Agasthiyar Rajam, Bhajanai Mali, Naacchami Iyer, Picchai Sir, Mridangam Radha, Bhima Rao to name a few and Bhisma Pitamagars….Yes….Great Mani Sashtrigal and Venkatrama Bhagavadhar are the pillars of our Bhajan at TDR. I have recollected the eminent people from my school / college days and in all probabilities, might have missed a few veterans. I sincerely regret the omissions, if any.

Whether it is Bhajan or Asthiga samajam or Radha Kalyanam or Katcheri or Veeracholan Pillaiyar koil function or East Mariamman koil function etc, meticulous home work and planning would be carried out by Mani Sasthrigal and Sundaram Dr in a diplomatic way. Mani Sasthrigal used to call all the youngsters…..just one month before Margazhi….Aey…Pasangalaaa….We have become older…You people have to take care of this year Margazhi Maadha Bhajan…for full month. We will extend only logistic support. The Bhajan will be from, as usual, Periya koil Pillayaar Sannadhi, Periya prakaram, Sokkanathar Koil, Sankara Mutt, Perumal koil, Bhajanai mutt, Kasi Viswanatha swamy temple and finally end at Veeracholan Pillayar koil. You…youngsters have to take the mantle and run the show…out and out. Thus, they will prepare us mentally for the show. Preparedness is the key manthra for facing anything and everything. We all will be elated and delighted through his honey coated, diplomatic pep talk. and vow that it will be a grand one…this year.  Every year….of course….it will happen like that.

          Some front line boys have to assemble at Sundaram Dr’s house, just one week before the first day of Margazhi. Sundaram Dr, on his part will encourage us …..but ….he will run the entire show. To start with, he will shortlist the names of daily upayadharars for pooja, abhishekam and most important thing “ Ven Pongal “ for all the 30 days. To be frank with you, the Ven pongal as Prasadam will be the tastiest one and will be like Devaamirdham at morning around 7.30. Thereafter, the young brigade under the guidance of Vaanchi Sir and Picchai Sir will start contacting shortlisted households and tie-up…..week after week. Pacchaiyappa Mudaly street, Pannandu theru, Madavilagams will also be there on the list. Again, a polit bureau meeting will be there to crystallize the final list of donors. It may be mentioned, in this context that our Bhajanai madam and Pillayar koil are not having any regular income through properties or by any way. Out and out, run by our GREATs through Maha Periyavaa’s pidi Arisi Thittam and monthly collection of 4 anas, per house. Now, you may be thinking 4 anas or 25 paise…..Collecting from all households is a Brahmma prayarthanam  those days…..we have to answer so many questions to many paatiyammas. 

          So as to light the kutthu Vilakku at Bhajanai madam and Pillayar Koil, for a longer duration, during the full month, we need atleast 1 litre Gingeley oil. Picchai Sir will approach Engineer kittuvaathu mami who will agree for half litre and balance, we have to manage by approaching at least another 10 mamis. Vaittha mama and Kangu mama will always ask for the status report and constantly screw us…….by saying one week left…..only 3 days left….tomorrow…like that.  We have to manage all.

Vaanchi Sir, the king of follow-up will ensure by personal contact with all upayadharars.  A final meeting will be held at Sundaram Dr’s house to give final shape. We are aware of some upayadharar’s lesser quantity of supply of Ven pongal and that will be met by secret discussions. Ven Pongal will be cooked at Pillayar koil itself on those days. Jayaram Naidu, Venu Padayaachi, Raasu Ondhriyaar will play a crucial role in our Bhajan movement. Car Ramaiyer, Naachami iyer, Subramania Iyer are crisis management players in running the show. Rice, dhall etc also will be collected to manage the show.  Sundaram Dr and Vaanchi Sir will inform Venu Padayaachi to give plantain leaves, petthi leaves for full month. Amirdham Ammal (TG’s mother) will take care of timely placement of the leaves (neat and clean) at Pillayar koil in the early hours.  Bhajanai Mali will give a wake up call to everybody at 4 a.m, just one day before Margazhi month, as per the directives of Mani Sasthrigal. Sundaram Dr will start the Bhajan and Mani Sasthrigal will take the show….Paahi….Paahi..Gajanaana,. Ganesa Charanam….Charanam Ganesha…..Subrahmanyom..Subrahmanyom….Maname Prema Bharoo…Guruka..Dhyaana karo….Gopaala….Gopaala….Anatha natha dheena bandho…Radhe Govinda….Bolo natha …uma pathey….Rama lakshmana Janaki….Jai bolo Hanumaunuki….Jay Jay Seetharam….Jay jay Seetha ram…..it will go like that. In every Sannadhi, Venkatrama bhagavathars and Mridhangam Radha’s keerthanai will be there. Vengala kuralgal…. In between, if there is any rain…Mani Sasthrigal will make everybody repeat twice, increase the pace of walking and cover the entire stretch of Mahadana Street with Gopaala…Gopaala. Capable of managing any occasion and thorough crisis management executive…..that is Mani Sasthrigal.

Sundaram Dr will encourage youngsters who recites Tiruppavai…Tiruvembhavai by giving them books. Gradually……after 10 days, crowd will increase and more and more will join. Based upon this trend, Upayadharars will be finalized (Hope you will recollect…earlier, I mentioned about quantity).

Just one week before Pongal, hectic preparations will be on for the final day….evening of Maatu Pongal….Bhajan concluding day. Good crowd will be there. Petromax lights will be arranged at Veeracholan….variety of rices…..Crowd management will be taken care of by Rajam, Chandra and TG.  Ultimately, with a heavy heart, the show volunteers will disperse at 9 p.m. That’s how Margazhi Maadha Bhajans were arranged at that time.

See the Precision., Planning…..Budget…..Execution….Follow-up….Crisis management, preparedness, grooming youngsters, leadership qualities,….motivation….encouragement….recognition and what not. All these winning traits have gone into our blood and that is the reason, we precisely outsmart others in the work place, our children are shining……last but not the least we have formed TOSA…..we are in TOSA. In how many villages, TOSA like bonhomie is there ? Our colony is coming up in Mahadana Street. First housewarming ceremony is poised during February. We have to revive all the past events at TDR. Our friends are bent upon reviving Bhajan and Vishnu sahasra namam at TDR, in due course. Nothing is impossible for a willing hand. We will do it. We shall do it.  Be proud of Namadhu TDR, Namadhu thalai nagaram…Namadhu School, Namadhu teachers, Namadhu koil   NAMADHU TOSA.

Pongal Vaazthhukkal…..Vaazgha…..Valargha…..Valamudan.

Sridhar / 14/01/2011.