நம் குருஜி

அன்பர் வி.எஸ் .கிருஷ்ணன் அண்மையில்  நம் குருஜியை பற்றி அருமையான கட்டுரை எழுதி உள்ளார்.அதில் திருப்புகழ் அன்பர்கள்  வரலாறையும்,வளர்ச்சியையும் பற்றியும் விரிவாக எழுதியுள்ளார்.அதை பிரசுரிப்பதில் மிக பெருமை அடைகிறோம் .அன்பருக்கு நன்றி என்பதெல்லாம் வெறும் உபசார வார்த்தை என்றே கருதி ,.அவரை போல் தொண்டர்களை வணங்குவது முருகனையே வணங்குவதற்கு ஈடாகும் என்ற உணர்வுடன் சிரம் தாழ்த்தி வணங்குகிறோம்.அன்பர்கள் பக்தி உணர்வுடன் படித்து ,தங்கள் உணர்வுகளை மற்ற அன்பர்களுடன் பகிர்ந்து இன்புற வேண்டுகிறோம்.

'Guruji' Sri A.S. Raghavan:

A Life dedicated to Thiruppugazh

-by V.S. Krishnan

Panguni Utthiram falls this year on Tuesday, the 26^th March 2013. This day of Utthiram star in the last month of Tamil calendar, Panguni is considered very auspicious. It was on this day Muruga wedded Devayanai and incidentally, the same day Lord Parameshwara also wedded Parvati. Since the wedding day of the Lord symbolizes happiness and prosperity, Muruga devotees congregate at the six sacred abodes of Muruga and other temples and participate in the festival with great enthusiasm and devotion.

Thiruppugazh Anbargal spread all over the country and abroad have made elaborate arrangements for Thiruppugazh recitals. On this auspicious day, it is our privilege to honour an ardent devotee of Lord Muruga, Guruji Sri A.S. Raghavan who has shown us the Thiruppugazh way to reach Lord Muruga. While paying our humble obeisance to the revered Guru, on this auspicious day of Panguni Utthiram we pray for his long happy healthy and prosperous life.

September 15, 2003. The Sringeri Pravachana Mandapam at Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai, wore a festive look. The hall was overflowing with devotees of Muruga, celebrities from music world, representatives from Mutts, officials, businessmen, journalists and people from different walks of life. They had assembled there to pay reverence to a man who initiated a divine movement and carried it forward with great success.

The person who occupied the limelight was Guruji Sri A.S. Raghavan and the occasion was the celebration of 75 years of his glorious life in the service of the Lord and the movement he helped to strengthen was the Thiruppugazh form of worship. He was conferred the title: "Thiruppugazh Gana Rathnam" a title that came from a great spiritual institution, Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.

Sri Raghavan was born in 1928 to Sri Subbiah Sastrigal and Smt. Ramalakshmi Ammal at Arumugamangalam near Tuticorin, the sea shore noted for collection of precious gems. Unfortunately, he was affected by polio and all treatments attempted were in vain. An expert in the local system of medicine then came forward and promised to cure him. But he demanded a fee, an odd one at that. Sensing the boy’s devotional nature, the medical practitioner insisted that the child be dedicated to the service of Senthil Velavan.  For the parents, no price was too heavy for the health of their dear one and they readily agreed. Besides, to offer oneself for the service of God was indeed a privilege. As the treatment progressed, the boy started showing signs of recovery. He was taken to the temple of Tiruchendur.  At the very sight of the temple at a distance, the child started running easily at the vast stretch of slippery sands. He feasted his eyes at the splendour and elegance of Lord Muruga. When he returned after the worship, he got the image of the Lord of Tiruchendur firmly embedded in his mind, the image that was to make profound influence on his life later.

After the formal education Sri Raghavan left the eastern shores of Thiru Chendur and reached the western shores of Thiru Chembur. Having settled in Bombay, Sri Raghavan got the opportunity to learn the basics of Carnatic music from Sri Vaidyanatha Bhagawathar. Later Sri Raghavan shifted to Delhi.

Even while doing the various duties expected of him, there was always an urge to give expression to the devotion brewing within. The spark that flashed at Tiruchendur was looking for an opportunity to illuminate.

He felt Senthil Andavan had designed a particular role for him. ‘What was that role?’ he wondered.

He realized that he has been gifted with musical talent to perform that role. Then, it dawned on him that there cannot be a better medium to hail the glory of Muruga than Thiruppugazh. The very word ‘Thiru Pugazh’ (Glory to God) which had already kindled a light of devotion in him, has now awakened him. He then adopted Thiruppugazh as his way of life. It became clear to him that his role is to highlight the glory of Thiruppugazh to all corners of the world.  He took up Thiruppugazh study seriously. The more he studied, the more he got absorbed. Gradually it became a total involvement. As the divine grace of Lord guided him through, Sri Raghavan selected certain songs and set them to Carnatic based raga and thala on the lines of chandam.

In his very first song, Arunagirinathar prayed that he should be blessed to sing the glory of Muruga where each word would shine as a precious gem (muthai tharu). Guruji, born in a place rich in gems, composed this song in Koulai Raag. The song 'Andarpathi' has been set to Raag Sindhu Bairavi. Thiru Ezhu Koottirukkai song 'Or Uruvakiya Tharaka' has been set in Darbari Kanada. Thus every song has been set to a particular Raga and Thala.  One day, Sri Raghavan sat together with his friends, Sri R. Narayanan, Sri M. Mahalingam and Sri Narayana Swami and the three of them started singing. That heralded the beginning of a glorious chapter in the history of Thiruppugazh.

In the beginning (1958) Thiruppugazh classes were held at the residence of Sri G. Sundaram at Connaught Circus. Gradually more and more students joined and more and more classes were held. Those who learned from Sri Raghavan, received his blessings first and then started conducting classes. Some disciples who left Delhi and settled elsewhere started new classes there.  The divine voice of Sri Raghavan that echoed the devotion towards Muruga was heard at many places and picked up by many more students. “There is no body in this generation who can render the verses of Thiruppugazh in the way Arunagirinathar intended as exactly as Sri Raghavan,” commented Sri Subbudu, the correspondent of The Statesman.

Arunagirinathar had composed his songs in chandam style. He has composed them by blending the divinity of Sanskrit with the beauty of Tamil. To give every such song a distinct raga, to create an interest in Thiruppugazh songs among the new generations and to create a Thiruppugazh movement across the country was indeed a gigantic task. It involved sparing the precious time and efforts, organizing people and overcoming many obstacles but Sri Raghavan went ahead with determination and succeeded in his mission.  “It was like Bhagaritha who brought the Ganga from its source of Siva’s head and reached it to all parts of the country”, said Sri S.K. Ramanathan, President of Pavazha Vizha Celebration Committee, on the occasion of Pavazha of Guruji at Chennai. “I have not done anything. “I was a mere tool in the hands of Senthil Andavan”, said Sri Raghavan.

A system of rendering songs in a prescribed way was devised. Sri Raghavan has now come to be known as Guruji. Under his guidance, a method of conducting Thiruppugazh Isai was developed. When the beautiful verses of Arunaginatha Swamigal acquired the sound of music, it became a wonderful form of prayer. Everyone took part in the bhajan, the talented and less talented, to convey the prayer in one voice. It became a spontaneous outpouring of devotion.  The Thiruppugazh Isai Vazhipadu was held in Uttara Swami Malai temple and Sankara Kendra at Delhi, the Chembur Murugan temple at Mumbai, Ved Bhawan at Kolkata, Kundrathur temple near Chennai, Annarpurneswari temple at Coimbatore and at many other halls.  Among the distinguished personalities who took the glory of Thiruppugazh to Himalayan height, special mention must be made of Sri G. Balasubramanian, Mumbai, popularly kown as ‘Thiruppugazh Mama’, a direct disciple of Guruji Sri A.S. Raghavan.  Many Sabhas and Associations felicitated him for the exemplary services he has done in expounding Thiruppugazh in Maharashtra region.  When Balu Mama sings, he is so deeply involved that he forgets the environment, forgets himself and transport the audience to a new world of devotion, knowledge and happiness.  It was clear that Thiruppugazh Anbargal were making waves. The overwhelming participation of devotees in classes and recitals was sufficient indication that Thiruppugazh culture was set to scale new heights. In the year 1975, a grand Thiruppugazh festival was organized at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, wherein many scholars have participated and many research papers were submitted.

Guruji, as he is affectionately known, has performed Thiruppugazh recitals and Valli Kalyanam at many places in India and abroad. Wherever he performed, devotees assembled in large number to immerse themselves in the shower of music. Among the dignitaries who turned up to hear him, one could spot Tamil litterateur, Ki Va Jagannathan or Seetha Ravi, Editor of Kalki.  As Thiruppugazh movement gained momentum, it needed an administrative framework, which also Guruji helped to build. Among the many dignitaries who attended Guruji’s Bhajan and lent overwhelming support to his Thiruppugazh movement, special mention must be made of former President of India, late Sri R. Venkataraman.

Sri Raghavan is married to Smt. Janaki. Hailing from a village in Tirunelveli District, Smt. Janaki is a lady of high virtue and devotion. She did not find it difficult to adjust to the devotional life of her husband as she wholeheartedly shared his commitment and dedication. She herself was deeply moved by the power of Thiruppugazh and she took active part in Thiruppugazh recitals.  Just as the Thiruppugazh song of Sri Raghavan, set in concordant notes of Thala, progresses in perfect rhythm, the life of Sri Raghavan with Sri Janaki moves forward in perfect harmony melodiously. Looking at the portrait of Sri Raghavan and Sri Janaki, naturally one visualizes the image of Lord Sri Ramachandra and Smt. Sita Devi.

A perfectionist by temperament, an ardent devotee Sri Ramana Bhagavan and one who has travelled extensively, Sri Raghavan is an affable and pleasing personality. He always stressed the point that a Thiruppugazh bhajan is a collective prayer, where the individual merges with the whole. There is no distinction of any sort and all devotees are one before God.  Guruji always emphasises the three qualities the devotees should cultivate: anbu (love) avirodha (free from negativism) and thondu (service). “True devotion would help one to cultivate these values“, he often used to say.

Recipient of titles like “Thiruppugazh Thondar” from Sri Abhinava Vidyathirtha Swamigal of Sringeri Mutt, ‘Bhaktha Ratna” from Swami Chidanandji Maharaj of Sivananda Ashram, Guruji ’s contribution in creating a spiritual awakening and Muruga worship has been appreciated by heads of mutts, men of letters and great musicians. He was conferred the title "Guhasri" in the presence of Thava Thiru Nataraja Sivacharya Swamigal and other distinguished personalities during the Valli Kalyana Mahotsavam at Palani.  “If Thiruppugazh occupies a prime position among devotional literature and is adopted as a way of life by Muruga devotees today, it is largely due to the selfless service rendered by Guruji”, said Sri Sundararajan, an ardent devotee of Muruga in Bangalore. “Guruji was instrumental in organizing the 600^th birth anniversary of Sri Arunagirinathar on a grand scale.  Again, it was as a result of the initiative taken by him, the Government of India has released a postal stamp in honour of the saint of Tiruvannamalai, Sri Arunagirinathar. In recognition of the various services he has done in expounding the cause of Thiruppugazh, Guruji has been conferred with the title “Thiruppugazh Chakravarthy”, added Sri Sundararajan.

Though the Eternal Reality is one, in his song, (‘Or Uruvakiya’) Arunagirinathar said that the Brahman appears as three (Moovvathayinai), meaning thereby the manifestation as Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Protector and Siva, the Destroyer. We find triads (Trimurthis), Sri Thyagaraja Bhagawathar, Shyama Saastrigal and Muthuswamy Deekshithar in the field of Carnatic music and Sri Bhodendra Saraswathi Swamigal, Sridhara Ayyaval, Marudhanallur Sri Sadguru Swamigal in the field of Nama Sangeerthanam.  Similarly, we find Trimurties in the field of Thiruppugazh also like Sri Sachidananda Swamigal, Sri Chengalvaraya Pillai and Guruji Sri A.S. Raghavan. Sri Sachidananda Swamigal dedicated his entire life for highlighting the value and importance of Thiruppugazh. If Sri Chengalvaraya Pillai had not put in his efforts in locating the Thiruppugazh songs and done extensive research on the subject, it is doubtful whether Thiruppugazh would have got such prominence.  His research book, “Arunagirinathar Varalarum, Nool Araichiyum” is considered as a rare treasure (Pokkisham) by Muruga devotees. However, these verses had to wait over five centuries to bloom in splendor till Guruji Sri Raghavan gave the songs the sound of music and taken the glory to all parts of India and abroad. While Vallimalai Sri Sachidananda Swamigal highlighted Thiruppugazh as Gjanamrutham (the nectar of knowledge), Sri Raghavan focused it as Ganamrutham (the nectar of music).

“When Sri Raghavan sings, the music originates from the soul and flows through his heart. Just as Lord Krishna graced the voice of Meera and Jayadevar, Lord Muruga too had blessed the voice of Guruji”, said Sri N.V. Vaidyanathan, disciple of Sri Balasubramanian, Mumbai.  Sri Vaidyanathan is conducting over five classes at different places in a week in Coimbatore.

Thiruppugazh and Muruga worship go hand in hand. It is believed that Muruga worship is never complete without a Thiruppugazh rendering. When a description is given about a Muruga temple, quite often the temple is referred as one visited by saint Arunagirinthar. When a music recital is held, invariably a song from Thiruppugazh is included.  Muruga devotees and Thiruppugazh have become synonymous and the two are inseparable. Guruji Raghavan and Thiruppugazh are so inalienably linked that it is impossible to think of one without the other. The growth of Thiruppugazh into a new powerful movement and the growth of Sri Raghavan into an enlightened Guru happened almost simultaneously.

The Thiruppugazh movement which Guruji initiated goes by the name of Thiruppugazh Anbargal who dedicate themselves to worship Muruga with the garland of Thiruppugazh songs. They are all united by the common bond of love and devotion. Apart from Thiruppugazh classes, Thiruppugazh recitals on the occasion of Thaipoosam and Panguni Utthiram, Valli Kalyanam based exclusively from the songs of Arunagirinathar, jubilee celebrations are conducted by Thiruppugazh Anbargal.

The land mark events in respect of Thiruppugazh are many and the one worth mentioning is the Golden Jubilee celebrations held in 2008. One can be a guest quite too often but the honour of being a host comes very rarely in life. That too, the honour of hosting a grand spectacle of Thiruppugazh Golden Jubilee comes once in a life time. Bangalore Anbargal were blessed enough to organize such an event in a spectacular manner.

                                           Golden Jubilee Celebrations at Bangalore

Muruga devotees residing in all regions of India turned up to take part in this magnificent event. In his presidential address, Guruji stressed the importance and value of Thiruppugazh, the need to recite the songs with knowledge of its meaning, in accordance with the raga and thala and in the true spirit of devotion. He invoked the blessings of Lord Muruga for peace, happiness and prosperity for all.

Sadhabhishekam is the most auspicious day in one’s life. It is the day when you recall the years of happiness gone by and prepare yourself to welcome the future with hope and confidence.  Looking back, it was a glorious life for Guruji; every moment devoted to the worship of Senthil Andavar, the eyes always centering around the image of Muruga, the ears always listening the songs and the voice always rendering Thiruppugazh. Thiruppugazh Anbargal consider themselves blessed to be able to live in the same age Guruji lives and to witness the grand event of Guruji’s Sadhabhishekam.

May Lord Muruga shower His benign blessings to Guruji for long life and peace! May Guruji continue to guide us and lead us to the Lotus Feet of Lord Muruga!

Visit www.thiruppugazh.org for more articles by the author V.S. Krishnan