While communal tension flaring up in many parts of the country, believers in city came together to build a shrine where all faiths can coexist peacefully. An inter-faith shrine modeled as the famous LOTUS temple in USA was inaugurated in Chettipalayam on Monday. Opening of the shrine that spread in 2.5 acre was to mark the birth centenary of Swami Satchidananda Maharaj, the founder of integral yoga. This is the first such worshiping place to be opened in the city.
The first LOTUS temple, called the Light of Truth Universal Shrine, was inaugurated in Yogaville in USA 1986 under the leadership of Swami Satchidananda as a place for worship for believers from different faiths. “Swami Satchidananda was a visionary and he realised the need for interfaith movement more than 50 year ago,” said D R Karthikeyan, former CBI director and chairman of the Swami Satchidananda Centenary Celebrations Committee. “There is need for more such movements today than ever before as thousands have been killed in the name of religion and god in different parts of the world,” he said.
The altars for Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Jainism, Taoism, Buddhism and Sikhism were opened on the occasion by governor K Rossaiah. “The Jewish community in the country has dwindled to a handful,” said Keith Hallegua, a member of Jewish community in Jew Town in Kochi.
“This altar is a reflection of the story and existence of the synagogue in Fort Kochi which was built on a land donated by the Kochi Maharaja. It has a Hindu temple located right next to it,” said Hallegua.
A separate meditation hall for people of all faiths was inaugurated by Mataji Sharadendra Giri from Uttarkashi. AIADMK MLA S P Velumani, minister of municipal administration, rural development and law, mayor P Rajkumar also attended the function.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / TNN / December 23rd, 2014
N. Jayakrishnan’s self-confidence, intelligent selection of compositions and some brilliant accompaniments on the violin and the mridangam combined to produce a scintillating vocal recital.
There may have been barely 10 people in the audience; but that did not deter this young man, whose outstanding progress over the past one year had to be seen – rather heard – to be believed. Neyveli Santhanagopalan must be a proud guru today.
The Abhogi varnam and the kalpanasvaram were a brisk warm up. He lost no time to exploit at will the interplay between lyrics, laya and the tune with every successive composition he performed.
The Dikshitar song in Natta, ‘Swaminatha Paripalaya Sumam,’ was an amazing rendition. The excitement was barely tempered by knowledge that it has been sung time and again. Nor could you put down its appeal entirely to familiarity or nostalgia. An early instance was the electrifying improvisation around the phrase ‘Kamitartha Vitarana Nipuna Charana.’
It is often said of the great 19th century composer that his kritis were largely written for recitation on the veena. Surely the piece at issue and a few others beg the question, especially when presented on stage by the likes of young Jayakrishnan.
The next alapana in Sehana was passionate and suffused with emotion. B. Ananthakrishnan (violin) produced some melodious moments that resonated instantly with listeners, by then immersed in the proceedings.
‘Abhi Manamu Kavalenu Talli, Mahishasuramardini,’ the Muthiah Bhagavatar kriti was embellished on the niraval. ‘Stiramuga ni Charanaseva Seyutakai,’ was sung with spontaneity and the kalpanaswaram on the pallavi.
Palpable was the swift change over from the latter song, set in rupaka tala, to Tyagaraja’s popular kirtana, ‘Sarasa Sama Dana Bheda Danda Chathura,’ in Kapinarayani.
At half time in the recital, Jayakrishnan commenced with another immaculate exposition, this time in Purvikalyani. His rendition was powerful.
‘Meenakshi me Mudamdehi,’ was a listener’s delight as much as a devotional rendering. The niraval on ‘Vidhuvidambana Vadane Vijaye,’ bore the stamp of years of authentic learning and craftsmanship.
B. Guru Raghavendra’s mridangam solo earned him commendations from the lead artist, as well as from the listeners.
‘Chandrachooda Sivasankara,’ in Darbarikanada, was a spirited devotional of Purandaradasa’s, which concluded a stupendous performance from the assistant professor of visual communications at the Guru Nanak College.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Margazhi / by Garimela Subramaniam / December 25th, 2014
Alumni of IIT-Madras at the reunion of the silver jubilee batch of 1989 were floored by the Centre For Innovation (CFI) student lab of the institute on Friday.
The CFI offers students the freedom and infrastructure to ‘realise’ their ideas along with necessary guidance from faculty and peers. Many among the 120 from the 89’ batch, including the Senior Vice-President of Google Inc Sridhar Ramaswamy, who were shown a presentation by Professor Mahesh Panchagnula on CFI, were left awestruck at the facility as it provided the necessary outlet for the oozing creativity in budding engineers.
“The CFI is surely the one thing that stood out for most of us at the meet. Most of us were wishing that we had that facility while studying at IIT,” said CP Madhusudan, secretary of the alumuni association.
“The CFI does a great job of encouraging budding entrepreneurs,” said a visibly impressed Ramaswamy during a media interaction later.
Incidentally, the CFI was started with funds donated by the 1981 batch during their silver jubilee reunion. The lab has the informal slogan of ‘ Walk in with an idea, walk out with a product’.
Students also have the option of doing their final year projects at the CFI subject to approval by their professors.
Meanwhile, IIT-Madras announced the list of 10 pass-outs who would receive the ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’ for 2015. The awards are given for outstanding accomplishments in academics, research, technology, business, management, entrepreneurship, and in other walks of life.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / December 27th, 2014
The 139th International Convention of the Theosophical Society began in the city on Friday, with delegates from several countries arriving at the headquarters in Adyar. The theme of the 2014 convention is ‘Theosophy in a changing world.’
The convention, which began in the morning, observed a two-minute silence in memory of the schoolchildren who were killed in Peshawar recently and the “ongoing cycle of violence” in the world. Representatives from different countries will be participating in the deliberations.
The four-day convention will also see lectures by philosophers, scientists and thinkers.
Members of the Society will examine the meaning and significance of Theosophy in the context of the present-day world, organisers said. There are also information booths, book displays, sales and stalls.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / December 27th, 2014
Chennai’s Carnatic music scene will sorely miss its bejewelled patron, Parimala Srinivasan.Sriram V.
It was rather appropriate that Parimala Srinivasan bowed out of this world just when Chennai is bursting at the seams with Carnatic music performances. It is almost as though the world is putting on its musical best to send her off. Yes, for her, music was life.
Parimala came from a family that was known for its music patronage. Father Aleppey Parthasarathy (Papaswami) Iyengar was a well-known lawyer who maintained open house for all musicians. Ariyakkudi was a close friend and music teacher. Parimala’s brother Aleppey Venkatesan also learnt from him. Another brother, P.S. Raghavan, learnt mridangam from Palghat Mani Iyer and later from Palghat Raghu.
G.N. Balasubramaniam was yet another favourite and to Parimala, in particular, he was a mentor and guide. She remembered fondly his singing the pallavi ‘Parimala Rangapathe’ at her wedding. Being an ordained ‘Sri Vidya Upasaka’, he performed special pujas for her well-being at crucial moments in her life. She kept his memory alive by observing GNB Day each year.
The ace violinist T.N. Krishnan was practically a family member and in his Sangita Kalanidhi acceptance speech in 1981, was to thank Papasami Iyengar and his clan for all their support and encouragement.
Marriage to V. Srinivasan, a lawyer, meant that Parimala shifted to Madras and became completely involved in the music scene here. Her first December Season was in 1956 when she attended the Music Academy sessions, on her father’s ticket. 1958 was of course special, for GNB was the Kalanidhi.
From then on, being an avid participant in the Season was a matter of routine. This did not mean restricting herself to just the star concerts and lecture demonstrations. It involved listening to several youngsters and encouraging them with her bright smile. And as for the volunteers, who manned the doors and coordinated traffic, there were acts of unspoken kindness – food in tiffin carriers would be brought in her car and handed out to them.
It was in 1970 that she co-founded Raga Tarangini, a sabha run entirely by women. She was to remain its secretary till her passing. Membership may have dwindled over the years, but nothing dimmed her enthusiasm. Monthly concerts were organised till the end, as was GNB Day. Over the 44 years that she ran it, almost every one of the performing artists of today was given concert opportunities by her. Most of them remembered her various gestures of kindness with affection.
No regular music concert-goer could remain immune to her charm and friendliness. Beginning with 1993 when I first came to this city, I too was drawn into this circle. As she talked of her life, I realised that she too, like everyone else, had had her shares of trials and tribulations. But she never had any bitterness and always laughed everything off. Besides, there was always music.
To her, life was an extraordinary celebration. She would always be brightly dressed and wear a number of jewels – some of them of an earlier age and time – brooches and the like. And this was not only for concerts. On one occasion, I ran into her at an open-air folk arts festival at Nageswara Rao Park. It was quite dark and there she was all bejewelled. I asked her if it was not a risk that she was taking. To this she replied that she was not going to change her way of life for the sake of some thief who may never come anyway! Happily for her, he never did. And if he had, he would have become her friend for life and never dreamt of hurting her.
On yet another occasion, I called at her residence. I asked her about a metal rail with a chair attached that ran all the way up the stairs to her first floor home. She replied that it was her son’s arrangement so that she did not strain her knees. And then, very cheerfully, she sat on the chair, pressed a switch and demonstrated to me as to how she went up and down the contraption. All this, with not a trace of bitterness about old age and its complaints.
Standing on the terrace of her house on that occasion, after I had been fed with special Bengal style samosas (“I knew you would like it, you are after all a Calcuttan”), she declared that not an evening passed without her attending a concert. Then spreading her arms expansively, she declared that there were at least six sabhas within a kilometre radius of where she lived. Others would have thought of supermarkets or hospitals.
The world of Carnatic music is that much poorer by way of losing a patron.
Adieu, sweet lady! May flights of angels ‘sing’ thee to thine rest!
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review> Music / by Sriram .V / December 25th, 2014
Bringing the community closer is what Solai Adaikalavan’s website on the Nagarathars is hoping to do. Savitha Gautam.
They are known for their sharp business acumen and clan loyalty. For over 150 years, the Nagarathars (better known as Chettiars) of Tamil Nadu have made an amazing contribution to the world of trade and commerce. Often hailed as the pioneers of organised banking in the country and credited with introducing of double-entry bookkeeping (debit and credit), this small community was, and continues to be, a close-knit one.
The rise of the Nagarathars began in the early 1900s when men armed with just courage and determination followed jungle trails in South and Southeast Asia to set up businesses in these virgin areas. Today, their business philosophy is visible across the globe.
But, over the past few decades, the community seems to be slowly losing its stranglehold over the entrepreneurial world. Some attribute it to traumatic post-Independence experiences, while others feel this is due to today’s general economic environment. Whatever the reason, many youngsters are now opting for safe jobs (especially IT) or similar safe-agency businesses. According to statistics, over 80 per cent of today’s Chettiar graduates, both men and women, are employed in the IT industry.
This set Solai Adaikalavan thinking. The Chennai-born Sydney-based second-generation Chettiar spoke to several people from her community. “I felt there was a shift in the attitudes of young Chettiar men and women towards their history.” In 2013, an International Business Conference of Nagarathars, a first-of-its-kind event, was organised by the Nagarathar Association, Singapore. “That was when an idea about setting up a website germinated,” says Adaikalavan.
With help from family and friends, she launched www.nagaratharbusinessgroup.com on November 23, 2013, in Singapore. “There’s a multi-pronged approach to the way the site is designed. Using technology, the site hopes to rope in able, experienced elders who can guide the young entrepreneurs on various biz mantras. Besides, the digital communication platform will serve as link to the Nagarathar groups, speaking their language and transcending geographical boundaries.”
Armed with a Masters in IT, Adaikalavan envisaged a one-of-its-kind online initiative that would have a two-pronged approach in bringing the community closer — communicate and be a catalyst in bringing back the glory Chettiars enjoyed as entrepreneurs.
How different is this site compared to other community sites? “It has a specific purpose. Members can get advice from people within the community, advertise their business, upload articles or voice their thoughts. There’s a heritage link aimed at educating Gen Next about our culture and tradition.” And the target visitor? “It is for both people already in business willing to share their expertise and those passionate about business but in need of some guidance.”
The website now has about 300 members. “The community is rather conservative,” says Solai. “So people register but seem reluctant to use the site.”
Bringing the community together.Photo: special arrangement
The website, designed by her friend Arathi Lawrence, has many interesting features to look out for. To mention a few:
Mentor forum: Here, experienced and knowledgeable elders of the community can guide a greenhorn in the nitty-gritty of business management.
Business Directory: A detailed list of all the members and their business interests, so that members can make enquiries or get other information.
Nagarathar Heritage: This section is an archive of contributions made by the members. It highlights the cultural ethos of the Nagarathars and its uniqueness to a younger generation.
Chat: Members can have online chats and establish contact.
Mobile App: Soon-to-be-launched app will help the tech-savvy keep in touch on the go.
Will it serve the purpose? Only time will tell.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Magazine / by Savitha Gautam / December 27th, 2014
Walking through the grand portals of the Madras Club to relive its history
The mention of Madras Club will evoke pictures of the magnificent Moubray’s cupola after which it is named, its grand columns and chandeliered interiors, excellent cuisine and the sound of music and dances that has wafted across the Adyar River for nearly two centuries. But waiting for my appointment, I wander towards the great banyan tree in front, recalling a story in Col. Love’s history of the Club (1832-1900). Describing the banyan opposite his bedroom a “standing nuisance”, a sleep-deprived resident of the Club wrote in the complaints book that the “infernal tree” was home to half the crows of Madras, and when the fruit ripened, had the other half joining them in chorus. Screeching flying-foxes that let out war-cries and chirping small birds added to the overall racket, he recorded bitterly, and left the premises in haste in spite of the appointment of “an intimidator/crowman” to shoo the birds away.
Madras Club
That is only one of the many vignettes that swirl through the grand portals of the “Ace of Clubs”. The second oldest surviving club in India after Calcutta’s Bengal Club, it has grown in three homes including the present one. The Club met for the first time in 1832 with Chief Justice Sir Robert Comyn in the Chair and facilitated the purchase of a Club House before the opening date of 15/05/1832. Sir Henry Chamier, the Chief Secretary, was its first president. When a swelling membership necessitated larger space, a four-acre property was bought in 1852 and a five-acre one was leased from Col. Patullo in 1898. Thanks to its illustrious presidents and members, by its golden jubilee year, the Club’s stature rose to be considered equal to that of the legendary Melbourne Club, Australia. The Club became famous for the grand balls it hosted in honour of British royalty.
After it moved into its second home at Branson Bagh opposite Church Park School, its shaky financial position necessitated increase in subscription, and to reduce the burden of members who were also members of the Adyar Club (1890), after a seven-year discussion, Madras Club merged with Adyar Club in 1963 and stands surrounded by Mowbrays Garden, comprising 12.7 acres. The Cupola, built by George Mowbrays, a businessman-turned-Sheriff/Mayor of Madras, dates before 1792. It is now a business-cum-family club with a parking area for 150 cars, 14 residential rooms, the oldest private library in the city, two restaurants, a bakery, five tennis courts, swimming pool (being cleaned by a robot now), gym, a jogging track — all located on the Adyar River.
Madras Club
“You’ll find this club culture in British colonies alone,” says a senior member of the Club, as we sip tea at the popular poolside café. “All the prominent clubs in Chennai are modelled on British clubs. British officers, Indian officers and clerks followed hierarchy strictly in office, but socialised informally at their club.” Catering is very formal in the main dining area where there is a dress-code (“jacket is mandatory”), but for a spot of informality along with grilled sandwiches, walk into the poolside hall.
Sharing stories of his 20-year association with the Club, he asks, “Did you know the “mulligatawny soup” had its origin here?” referring to the anglicised version of milagu thanni. “We met Prince Charles here,” says his wife. “And later in the evening he saw me at the Rajaji Hall and remarked: You are wearing a different sari!”
We walk up the original steps to the grand vestibule and after a brief look at the crest featuring St. George and the motto Concordia Vires, step into the lounge to admire the octagon (the underside of the cupola) with stars painted on it. We walk through the ancient bar, the century-old ballroom now decorated for Christmas. Spread everywhere are pieces of graceful furniture. The Club is a place to relax, recuperate and meet people, says the senior member. Name any corporate honcho/captain of industry/ diplomat; you’ll bump into him/her at the playground, cafe or bar. “The Madras Club has a village atmosphere that has stood the test of time. People take refuge here from the chaos outside. It is the tranquillity that members seek.” The Club is still an exclusive organisation, but the informality outside has found inevitable reflection in the running of the grand old place. It has also acquired a health aspect to its social ambience, another nod to the changing clime.
Historian S. Muthiah concludes in his book on the Club with these words: “And that’s what makes the Club, not its bricks and mortar and trees, but a membership that recognises that it is a privilege to belong to the institution… and is committed to keeping it ‘The Ace of Clubs’.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review> History & Culture / by Geeta Padmanabhan / December 23rd, 2014
The Hanuman Jayanthi festival was celebrated in a grand manner at Sri Anjaneyar temple in Kallukuzhi with offering of 1,00,008 ‘vada maalai’ (garland of vada) to the main deity on Sunday morning.
A large number of devotees from across Trichy witnessed a spiritual offer of vada maalai to Lord Anjaneyar, the prime deity at the Kallukuzhi Sri Anjaneyar temple. Officials of Hindu religious and charitable endowment (HR&CE) and temple priests made all the arrangements for the yearly festival.
Many devotees involved themselves in the preparation of vada malai on Saturday night. The festival commenced with a special abishekham and aradhana to the Anjaneyar at 5.30am followed by a mega event of garlanding the deity with 1,00,008 vada maalai at 8pm.
The puja was witnessed by a large number of devotees who also got the darshan of the lord. The vada maalai and jangiri maalai were also offered to the Urchavar. The Laksharchanai was held continuously from 9am to 8pm.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Trichy / TNN / December 22nd, 2014
For the second year in a row, students of the Alliance Francaise in American College here sang Christmas carols in French, taking the opportunity of Christmas season to promote the French language and culture.
A group of six students from the batch of 55 gathered to sing the carols, in what turned out to be a different kind of Christmas experience for students from other colleges who had gathered to watch the rendition. Christmas carols, namely, ‘Joie pour le monde’, translated as ‘joy to the world’, was sung in French language, besides ‘jingle bells, jingle bells’ and ‘silent nights’.
Alliance Francaise was started in American College in 2002, where students enrolled to learn French.
Milton Powers, professor of French at American College, said, “This kind of celebration provides motivation to the students and helps them understand French in a better way. I always wanted to teach French in an innovative manner. When it comes to languages, songs are the best way to motivate and encourage students to learn the language.”
Nanette Elizabette, student at Alliance Francaise, said, “We get the idea of French culture and it’s a different learning experience when Christmas carols are sung in a different language. Being a French student, it helps me to learn the language better.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / December 24th, 2014
Veteran director K. Balachander, who was known in the South Indian film circles as ‘Iyakkunar Sigaram’ (a peak among directors), breathed his last on Tuesday evening, leaving behind a rich legacy of not just film and television work but a long list of technicians and actors he introduced in a career spanning nearly five decades.
The two biggest stars of the Indian film industry — Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth — are among those whom he mentored.
The 84-year-old, who was suffering from age-related ailments and admitted to a private hospital here last week, was declared dead around 7. 30 p.m.
According to sources, the final rites are to be performed on Thursday. The mortal remains would be taken to his house on Wednesday morning, where it would be kept for the people to pay their tributes. One of the doctors who treated him said the director showed a fighting spirit against his ailments just like the hero of his classic Ethir Neechal.
Mr. Balachander was the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2010. He has directed over 100 films in all major South Indian languages. His most prolific decades in cinema were the 1970s and the 1980s, while in the 1990s he focussed on television serials. Among the first to visit Kauvery Hospital, where Mr. Balachander was undergoing treatment, was DMK president M. Karunanidhi, along with Rajathi Ammal and Kanimozhi. Prominent directors, including R. Partheban, Ameer, S.P. Jhanannathan and Cheran, all rushed to the hospital. Actor Rajinikanth reached his residence around 10 p.m.
The former Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, has condoled the death.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment / by Karthik Subramanian / Chennai – December 23rd, 2014
