V. shanmuganathan
During this Winter Season, inspite of cold weather and chillness,
large religious gatherings are taking place spontaneously. On 23rd
December 2010 more than 5 lakh devotees were delighted by seeing the
Ananda Thandava Shri Nataraja in Chidambaram Temple, during Arudhra
Darshan. More than 7 lakh devotees had the darshan of Ranganatha Swamy
in Srirangam when Swarga Vasal (gateway to heaven) was opened on 17th
December 2010. on the day of Karthigai Deepam. 25 lakh hindus had the
darshan of Arunachaleshwar and made a parikrama of the mountain in
Thiruvannamalai.
A pursuit with great devotion
Karthigeya temple in Palani, attract many more lakhs of devotees with
kavadi on Thaipoosm day. There is no doubt that, Ayappa in sabarimalai
would be worshiped by more than 5 crores of people by the middle of
January 2011 during Makar Sankranthi. Here majority of devotees are
young and old men and men only. Very few women visits. Adi Parashakti
temple, in Melmaruvathur, near Chennai is altracting women devotees in
large numbers.
These are the huge religious gatherings of devotees praying the lord
for a boon that is beneficial to them. They gather with full of taith
and conviction. These annual fesitivals are central to the South
Indian religious traditions. These are some of the largest religious
gatherings found any where in the world.
Spirituality arouse interest
Apart from this, there are big congregations seeking spiritual
knowledge. Mata Amrutandamayee’s devotees are coming together in lakhs
to have the healing touch of Amma. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Maharaj
devotees are meeting in large numbers to learn about the Art of
living. He is working for a stress free and violence free society.
Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev altracts large crowd. He presents powerful
methods of self transformation to people from all walks of life. Swamy
Paramarthananda, takes spiritual classes about scriptures and shastras
in a brilliant way. His teachings are very much inspiring touching
upon various aspects of life like Atman, self inquiry, right attitude
and right action.
These are the wonderful assembly of people who want to discover the
essence of their life. They try to understand the meaning of their
life. They realize the contribution of our forefathers and how values
were passed on generation after generation by personally practicing
the principles and ethics. Participants are taken to higher
consiousness through meditation prayer and contemplation. Their unique
experience makes them believe that spiritual practice is the
foundation of happiness.
Musical Tunes
During this coldest season of the year, after autumn and before
spring, melodious music and dance festival is taking place in Chennai.
It is a grand celebration of classical music and dance of south india.
This carnatic music festival is held during mid December to mid
January in the Capital city of Tamil Nadu. The festival is held at a
number of venues around the city by various sabhas or organisations.
Performance includes Vocal, instrumental music and Bharata Natyam
Dance - solo and group both by Junior and senior artists. Even
upcoming artists get a chance to perform along with well - established
artists. The music include songs in various south Indian languages
like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
The music instuments like Flute, Veena (a large string instrument)
gottuvadyam (similar to veena, but without frets), Nadhaswaram (pipe)
Thavil (per cussion instrument) Mridangam (drum) and even Ghatam (mud
pot) This music season goes on till mid January when the scene shifts
to Thiruvaiyaru to celebrate the birth of one of the greatest carnatic
composeers, saint Thyagaraja. This annual festival nourishes the
classical tradition of music. It is an ancient and sophisticated art
stretching back over thousands of years, originated from the Temples
and performed by devine artists. The classical styles have been
associated with mythology, philosoply and spiritural thoughts of the
Hindu culture.
The Madras city comes alive with "Margazli festival of dance and
music" which has become an annual feature with thousands of artists
and lakhs of people who witness, see, hear, feel and enjoy the
spectacular cultural event.
Production of Films as an Art
The Tamil Film Industry has opend up a new page in the history of
Indian Cinema this year. According to reports in the media, a total
number of 150 films have been produced from chennai in the year 2010,
a number which was never before achieved in the history of Tamil
Cinema. Rajni Kanth, is really a super star. Recently he acted in a
science - fiction film involving a ‘Robot’. It was realeased in Tamil,
hindi and Telugu versions and ran very well in all the languages.
According to uncomfirmed reports, the cost of production of the
Rajni’s Robot was about Rs 180 crores and the overall collection was
more than Rs 800 crores. It is a himalayan achievement beating all the
old box office hits.
Aham Brahmasmi
The whole world knows that, superstar Rajnikanth often goes to
Himalayas and stays in a serene atmosphere. He associates himself with
sadhus, saints and sanyasis and meditates in the vicinity of river
ganga.
Tamil was always rich in literature and music. But its cinema was
mostly meant for entertainment. There were many who tried for a
change. Among the new generation of film makers, Bala leads a pack in
bringing a change in Tamil Cinema’s outlook and approach. He is trying
hard to give a new thought to Tamil Cinema. Recently, director Bala
made a film called, "Aham Brahmasmi", "Nan Kadavul" in tamil. This
creation has fetched him a national award for Best director.
Naan Kadavul, Aham Brahmasmin - is a film based upon a Tamil Novel
"Yelavathu ulagam" (7th world) written by Jayamohan who also penned
the dialogue for the film.
The movie ‘Pazhassi Raja was taken as an art film in Malayalam as well
as in Tamil. The story of ‘PAZHASSI RAJA’, one of our first freedom
fighters was popularly known as the lion of Kerala. The making of this
grand epic film is really an achievement. It educates the younger
generation visually about the freedom struggle.
Something great is yet to happen
Tamilnadu is peculiar in its own way. There were so many films with
rational ideas. Some of those films were antigod and anti hindu also.
But late M. G. Rama Chandran (M.G.R.) mentor of Jayalalitha changed
the trend. He openly associated himself with Devi Mookambiga mandhir
in Karnataka. Actor Vijayakanth appears with full Vibudhai on his
forehead. After receiving oscar award in America Music composer A.R.
Rahman declared that, "The credit is not for me. All glory are to God
himself" Thus the trends are changing. In general, people are working
hard. they are talented and creative. There are sincere efforts for
excellance. Still, there is a longing for something great.
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