The Chennai Telescope
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Thiruvaluvar Temple in Mylapore
It is relatively unknown to many that there exists a temple for the saint composer Tiruvalluvar, at the heart of the Chennai city in Mylapore, where he was born and lived. Some call it a memorial while others consider it as a temple for Tiruvalluvar, who had immortalized his work in 1330 couplets, which was translated in all well known languages, inland and abroad by eminent scholars.
Location: The temple is situated at about 200 meters East of the statue of Tiruvalluvar on the Royapettah High road near Sri. Hanuman temple. The access to this temple is through narrow roads after crossing the Buckingham canal bridge towards Nattu Subburaya Mudali Street. Then the road branches off to North, leading to an arch way into the temple.
Although the basic temple was in existence since the15th century, some how, it was unknown to many, who even lived in the near by locations. The present temple was completed and consecrated in 1977. An entrance arch on the road welcomes the visitors, to an ample parking place for two wheelers before entering into another arch leading to the temple.
There is a big idol for Tiruvlluvar at the sanctum sanctorum before the Maha Manapam and for his wife, Vasugi Ammiyar on to his left, both facing the East. Also, are the shrines for the deities Arulmigu Ekambaranathar and Arulmigu Kamatchi Amman, a little farther away and for the Navagrahams at the front end, all with in the same compound.
Just by the side of the Maha Mandapam or the Meditation hall, is a stub of the trunk of a illuppai tree claded with copper plates and with a sign board displaying the message, ‘Tiruvalluvar was born here’. There is a larger than life marble statue of Tiruvalluvar in sitting posture and also of his parents Sri Adi and Sri Bhagavan, with Sri Adi holding him as a child in her arms and kneeling before her husband.
Tiruvalluvar and his wife lived happily for years enjoying a harmonious life, setting an example to the householders to emulate them. There is an interesting story on this:
One day, while Vasugi Ammiyar was drawing water in the well, Valluvar called her to attend to some work that needed her presence. Vasugi Ammiyar, a devoted wife, without any further thought, left immediately leaving the rope she was pulling from the well. When she returned after attending her work, the pail of water was still hanging in the mid air, as a proof of her devotion to her husband,
That famous well is still there in the temple, but there is no water now and is closed with sand. It is also covered with a steel grill for safety reasons.
When death separated his wife, Vasugi Ammiyar from Tiruvalluvar, the saint, laments like all other commoners, unable to bear the grief of her separation. The poet, noted for his unique style of the couplets in Tamil, changes to quatrain, which he did only once, and dedicates this verse, to his bereaved wife.
அடியிற்கினியாளே அன்புடையாளே
படிசொல் தவறாத பாவாய்- அடிவருடி
பின்தூங்கி முனெழும் பேதாய் இனிதா ய்
என் தூங்கும் என் கண் இரவு
The quatrain roughly means: My sweetheart, dear lady, You never failed in (your) words, gently pressed my feet,Slept late, got up early (my) innocent, sweet one, How can my eyes sleep at nights?
Whatever you may call it, whether a temple or a memorial for Tiruvalluvar, it is a place to be visited not only by the Tamil speaking good world, but also by one and all to pay respects to the great saint and for his work, Tirukural, which is beyond all boundaries of cast, religion, community and stands as a timeless testimony that preaches the values and principles of good life.
Church of Our Lady of Light, Chennai (LUZ CHURCH)
The historical background of this church is intertwined with the traditional history of Christianity in India. Arrival of Christianity to India is of two phases, where by traditional accounts, St. Thomas brought the religion in the first century and attained martyrdom in Chennai in 53 AD. The second phase is after the arrival of Portuguese in the 15th century. The legends of the Church of Our Lady of Light connects both.
The history of the Church is compounded with the history of the arrival of the Portuguese to India. Soon after Vasco da Gama discovered the sea-route to India, the legend states, that eight Jesuit priests left for India from Lisbon with the fleet of Pedro Alvares Cabral on the 9 March 1500 A.D. (If this is the story it is definitely a legend... The Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) was founded in 1540. It was therefore impossible for Jesuits to reach India in 1500.) They landed in Calicut, where three of the Friars were slain on the 16 November 1500. The others reached Cochin, and settled down of preach the good news. A few years later, they sailed down South to spread their message further. It is said, that the Friars were lost in the rough sea and started praying to Mother Mary for their safety. The legend states that they were miraculously guided by a mysterious bright light which guided them safe to land. The Friars that in honour of their safe arrival to the land, built the Church of Our Lady of Light (Portuguese: Nossa Senhora da Luz). Although some legends claim that it was common Portuguese sailors who were rescued and not missionaries. The church would later suffer damages inflicted from the fources of Golconda between 1662 and 1673. During the times of Haider Ali's invasion of the city forts between 1780 and 1782, the British East India Company Forces occupied the Luz Parish Residence for some years. Currently this church also governs the Stella Maris College, Chennai. It is located about 1.5 km from the Santhome Basilica where Apostle of Jesus Saint Thomas is believed to be buried. Although now a bustling locale, it is believed that this area could have been covered with mangroves in the early days. The road leading to the church is now named as Luz Church road after the church itself.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Friday, July 18, 2014
Friday, July 11, 2014
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Rahman's sister to compose track on Chennai culture
Chennai : Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman's sister A R Raihanah, also a music director, will be composing a music track on Chennai's culture and it will be screened during the Madras Week celebrations next month.
"A R Raihanah will be composing a track and the video song has been named Ithu Namma Chennai," Raindropss, a youth-based social organisation said in a statement here yesterday.
Leading playback singers are expected to be a part of this project and the video song will feature people who made Chennai proud.
Raihanah is the brand ambassador of Raindropss, which propagates social awareness messages through theme songs and short films.
Madras Week events, celebrating the founding of the city on August 22, 1639, are to be held between August 17-24 here as in the previous years.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
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