Eppadi Paadinaaro: Weekly program on Podhigai TV

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 27 Oct 2009, 12:09

Podhigai TV has started broadcast of a new program called "Eppadi Paadinaro". Each episode features a famous temple of historical significance ("Paadal petra sthalam") and includes a commentary and songs composed at that temple. This week's episodes were about Tiruvottriyur. Sri Harikesanallur Venkatramanan gave a commentary on the significance and architecture of the temple. Smt. Gayathri Girish presented famous kritis composed on the deities including "Darini telusukonti" and "Sundari nee divya". There were also some tamil thevarams(?) that were sung but I could not catch the words. Seems like an interesting and educational effort taken by Podhigai.

The half hour show airs on Mondays and Tuesdays at 11:30 AM.

priyaram78 · Post by **priyaram78** » 27 Oct 2009, 13:07

Happy to see GG on TV today. it was an informative program. looking forward to see it every week. GG also features in a program on AlwArgal on thursday at 6.45 am.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 27 Oct 2009, 22:53

Suresh/Priyaram - are you aware of any youtube links of this program? Sounds very informative.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 27 Oct 2009, 22:56

I have a hyder ali kaalathu VCR and once I figure out the cabling, I should be able to get it on tape. May have to go to the local thiruttu VCD ripper to take it to the next level

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 27 Oct 2009, 22:57

Suresh - do not want to get you into any trouble!

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 03 Nov 2009, 01:35

Monday's show featured more on the Thiruvotriyoor temple.The temple is closely associated with Sundarar, the Saivite saint, whose mode of worship was as a "friend" (i.e. Sakhya Bhava which is one of the Nava vidha Bhakthi). Sundarar got married to his 2nd wife Sangili Nachiar under the Magizham tree in this temple. The temple is also famous for its Sahasra lingam, its 27 nakshatra lingams, thripteeswarar sannidhi, and a deity with a single leg (name escapes me at this moment).

Smt. Gayathri Girish presented a Sundarar thevaram followed by Dikshitar's Adhipureeswaram in Aarabhi and then a Tiruppugazh.

malavi · Post by **malavi** » 03 Nov 2009, 15:06

There is also another interesting programme Ellame Sangeetam in podigai channel on tuesdays at 7.30 p.m. and wednesdays at 3 p.m.
Anuradha sreeram, Sreeram parasuram, K.V. Prasad and some other artists present the same. one paticular ragam is being takenand a varnam,keertanam some film songs inthe ragam and corresponding hindustani raga can be heard. Anuradha and srreram are doing it in an excellent manner.Kalyani was the raga for the past 3 weeks.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 09 Nov 2009, 12:42

Todays show featured the ThalaShayana perumal temple at Mahabalipuram, which is one of the 108 divya desams. Here the perumal gave darsan to Pundareeka and Brigu maharishis. Bhoodhathu Alwar, one of the 12 alwars, was also born here. The God is in Anantha sayana position on the ground - hence his name. Nilamangai thayar is in padamasana position at this temple. There was also a Jala Sayana temple close to this once, but it has been washed away into the ocean.

Three pasurams were sung. The first one could not be heard due to audio issues. DD made sure that we don't attain moksham too soon and are born again to hear that pasuram.

Smt. Gayathri Girish chose Desh for the pasuram starting with "Udambu uravil moondru onrai moorthy veraai". Thirumangai alwar, who has composed the most number of pasurams on the various 108 divya desams, describes how Perumal presented himself in the form of Kalki to him at this temple.

Nattaikurinji was the raga chosen for the next pasuram starting with "thondurayar thaan paravum". Thirumangai alwar describes how elephants were purchased by foreign traders in exchange for precious gems from "Kadal Mallai", another name for Mahabalipuram.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 16 Nov 2009, 12:57

Today's show was on Tiruvalidaayam, located near Paadi on the outskirts of Chennai which got its name when Bharadwaja muni in the form of a Validaayam, a rare raven-like bird, worshipped the Lord at this temple. The Swami is knows as Validaayanathar or Valeeswarar and the Amba as Thaayambika or Jagadaambika. The architecture of the temple is typical of those commissioned by Kulonthunga Sozhan and features the Gajaprushta Vimaanam or Thoongaanai maadam, where the gopuram resembles the posterior of a sleeping elephant. The temple is also one of the Navagraha Sthalangal and Brihaspathi (Guru) is worshiped here. Guru is the governing god for alliances and in this Kalyana Sthalam his magic extends to Vinayaka, usually worshiped singly at most temples, who is present here with his wives Siddhi and Buddhi.

Smt. Gayathri Girish sang a Tirugnanasambandhar thevaram starting with "Bha(k)tharodu palarum poliya" composed at this temple in Nattai and a Tiruppugazh verse starting with "Marumalliyaar..." in Vasantha and set to Khanda Triputa tala which describes how Sri Rama visited this temple.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 20 Nov 2009, 01:00

Tuesday's show was on Tirumullaivaayal. There are actually 2 of these among the 744 places sung in thevarams. Then-tirumullaivaayal is near poompuhar. Vada-Tirumullaivaayal is near chennai. Mullaivananathar or Masilamaneeswarar is the presiding deity. Kodi idai nayaki or Latha madhyamba is his consort. Mullai kodi is the thala vruksham. The temple has a 5 stage Raja gopuram. The temple also has a 16 kaal mandapam and a Vasantha mandapam.

The ganapathy is this temple is known as Kshipra Ganapathy, meaning instant granter of boons. The temple lingam is called Rasalingam as it is made of an alloy of mercury (paadarasam) and silver.

The lingam in the temple was unearthed by King Thondaiman, who when retreating after a lost battle with the Kaanthan Onan brothers of Koyambedu was passing through a dense thicket of mullai kodi and as he was cutting this ivy, he accidentally cut the hidden lingam out of which poured out blood. Fearing that he has violated God, he was going to end his own life, when Shiva appeared and extracted a promise to build this temple after winning the war with Kaanthan Onan.
The Lingam bears this cut of the sword to this day and is kept wrapped in a Chandhana Kaappu throughout the year, except for Chithirai Sadhayam when a hot water abhishekam is done and the Kaappu redone. Pournami fridays are also special at this temple and pilgrims from the area come here to worship the amman in the evening after going to Melur and Tiruvotriyur.

Smt. Gayathri Girish sang a Sundarar padhigam starting with "Thiruvu mei porulum selvamum" in Kambodhi. As always the most complex Tamizh flowed like honey in her delivery. Three tiruppugazh verses have been sung on this temple and "Jodhi maamadhi" was sung in mayamalavagowlai.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 24 Nov 2009, 14:43

If one of the intents of the this show is to encourage pilgrimage apart from providing spiritual fodder, this week's show on Tiruneermalai was an unmitigated success.
The thick braid intertwining spirituality,religion and music was held up in glorious form and when the show ended in the ringing notes of Shankarabharanam to the words "Ninraan, irundhaan, Nadandhaan, Kidandhaan... maamalaiyaavadhu neermalaiye" one felt the urge to logout and leave immediately to the suburbs of Pallavaram where this temple is located about which two of the twelve, Bhoodathuazhwar and Tirumazhisai azhwars have sung pasurams on.

Counted as one of the 108 vaishnava divya desams and one of the 32 thirupathis in Thondai naadu this temple houses 4 perumals in postures enumerated in the pasuram. On top of the hill are Ranganatha perumal lying down (kidandhaan), Saantha Narasimhar sitting (irundhaan) and Trivikrama perumal taking the third step (Nadandhaan). At the foot of the hill are Sri rama and Seetha in the deities of Neervanna nathan and Animangai thaayaar. Legend is that Valmiki on his pilgirmage went up the hill and worshipped the three perumals above and on his way back regretted not being able to worship Him in the form of his Ishtadevatha and so Vishnu and Lakshmi appeared along with Adhiseshan (Lakshmanan), Vishnu's sangu (Bharathan), Vishnu's chakram (Shathrugnan), Viswaksena (Sugreeva) and Garuda (Hanuman). Having presented himself in wedded form (Kalyanakkolam), it is believed that a pilgrimage to this temple removes obstacles to marriage.The name of the temple itself originates from the time Tirumangai azhwar visited this temple and had to wait 6 months for his darshan due to incessant rain and flooding at mandira malai, adjoining this holy site. The description of this temple has also found a place in the sanskrit Brahmandapurana.

Smt. Gayathri Girish sang three pasurams of tirumangai azhwar. "Alam mannum adal suri sangum" was sung in Hamsanandi, "Nedumaal avan meviya" in madhyamavathi and "Anbu adavi animalar mangayodu" in Shankarabharanam. From the sombreness of Hamsanandi to the worldly joy in madhyamavati to the serene wonder of Shakarabharanam, the viruthams covered the full auditory range of the ragas creating the mood to lead the rasika, at least temporarily, out of the morass of material existence.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 25 Nov 2009, 02:33

Suresh - thank you for yur reports...

KMH · Post by **KMH** » 29 Nov 2009, 04:06

Amazing accounts of the Podhigai programs, Sureshvv! Thanks a ton! Made for some truly enjoyable reading - content wise and literary wise.

KMH · Post by **KMH** » 04 Dec 2009, 03:50

Does anyone know if Pothigai TV can be seen online - do they have an online subscription system? Sitting in the UK and reading sureshvv's posts, I feel I'm missing something interesting.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 05 Dec 2009, 11:18

May be available on DVD. Sukra vision is I think the production outfit. Will jot down their number next time.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 05 Dec 2009, 11:47

Tuesday's show was more on Tirupporur. The content of this show was titled more towards music and less of narration.

Among the special idols depicted at this temple are:

1. Utsava murthy of Lord Muruga as the God of Creation. This was during Brahma's incarceration for being unable to explain the pranava mandiram.'

2. Swaminathan (or Thagappan Swamy or Appa swamy) as teacher to his father

3. Lord Muruga en route to the battle ground armed with a bow (instead of the usual vel) and mounting his peacock. This is a rare depiction and is present only in a couple of other temples.

Every month Krithikai is celebrated here and people conglomerate to take a holy bath at the Saravana Theertham of this temple. Carvings from the Pallava and Chola times have been unearthed that show the presence of the original temple which is at least 2000 years old. It is believed that a tsunami may have wiped out and buried the original temple.

Chidambara Swamigal after building this temple with the help of donations from an old lady of Villiyanur and Palayathu Chettiar among others becase a faith healer of sorts. People from near and far came here to be healed and this temple became a haven for the ill.

Smt. Gayathri Girish sang a ragamalika virutham in Kalyani and Reethigowlai starting with "Poove Poovil Parimalamey" followed by "Noyutru Nondhu Manam Vaadaamal" in Subhapantuvarali. Both were compositions of Chidambaram Swamigal. She concluded with a tiruppugazh "Anuthene Mozhiyaale" in Subhapantuvarali.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 11 Dec 2009, 10:05

Tuesday show covered more of Tiruporur. Once again the content of the show was tilted in favor of music and the various bards that have composed hymns on this deity. The 97 year old current head of the Chidambaram swamigal mutt who is 14th in the direct line of sishyas of Chidambaram swamigal was interviewed. Among the details he shared was that the temple had been destroyed 6 times and reconstructed 6 times over the centuries. Every month Pournami is celebrated at the mutt and the adjoining samadhi of Chidambaram swamigal.

Smt. Gayathri Girish began a ragamalika virutham meditatively starting with "Nenjamey unakkendru ula kelvi kel" in Hindolam and then moved on to to Kambodhi exhorting the devotee to "Tiruporiku vannamaai chendru vaai vazhipaadu sei" composed by Chidambaram Swamigal. This was followed by a tiruppugazh like composition starting with "Neerotru enavodhum nevaasthika naamam" and ending with "porur kumaroney por vel perumaley" composed by Sathooram swamigal. A thalattu paatu also composed by Chidambaram Swamigal followed starting with "kanjanai andru munindhu sivandharul kailyal thalelo" in Neelambari.

That these places exist with such a rich tradition of music and devotion within a short drive from Chennai was an eye opening revelation and Kudos to Podhigai for bringing this out to the public.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 11 Dec 2009, 20:48

Suresh - Thanks for your continued reporting...any progress with the video recordings?

Have you had a chance to visit any of the places from this series?

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 11 Dec 2009, 22:40

I tried plan B which is recording directly from TV on to my 'phone. Looks all right on my phone but yet to see it on my desktop. Will keep you posted. Visited Kovoor Sundareswarar temple a few weeks ago. None since then.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 22 Dec 2009, 15:23

Siruvapuri was the next temple featured on this show. This Murugan sthalam is located 35km from Chennai near Ponneri. It may be reached via the Grand National Trunk road (Chennai-Kolkata) after the town of Agaram. The temple is situated right bang in the middle of lush green paddy fields. Legend ties this temple to the story from Uthara Ramayana when Sri Rama performed the Aswamedha yagna and Lava-Kusa captured his itinerant horse. A battle ensued and Lakshmana was defeated by the young boys while still being unaware of each other's identity. As the place that brought glory to the young boys, the town became famous as "Siruvapuri". The town is also knows as "Siruvembedu".

This temple has an idol of a peacock made out of Emerald (Maragadha Mayil) and also a Maragadha Vinayaka. In many ways this temple is closely tied to that in Tiruvannamalai. The Sthala vriksham here is Magizha maram which is also that in Tiruvannamalai. Vallimalai swamigal was sent here by his Guru Seshadri Swamigal of Tiruvannamalai to spread the Tiruppugazh. When Arunagiri travelled here and sang Murugan's praise, he had a vision of the Lord appearing on a Mayil similar to his manifestation out of a pillar in Tiruvannamalai.

This temple houses an Utsava murthy of Lord Muruga wedding Valli weighing 120 kgs. This temple is also curiously linked with 2 National holidays, Independence and Republic days. While Aug 15th is also commemorated as Arunagiri day since he was born towards the end of the month of Adi in many Murugan temples and is celebrated with the all day singing of Tiruppugazh, peripatetic pilgirms flock to this temple at Siruvapuri from surrounding areas on Jan 26th.

Smt. Gayathri Girish sang 2 tiruppugazh verses, the first of which started with "Piraviyaana sadam irangi" in raga Gowrimanohari and has a reference to the Uthara Ramayana story. The second verse starting with "Andarpathi kudiyera" was sung in Vasantha which according to Vallimalai swamigal brings worldly happiness as it uses the words Magizhchi multiple times (including the reference to the Magizha maram) and confers the boon of being able to live in one's own home. The program concluded with a composition of Murugadas starting with Sendhan Kumaran Sigaril and ending with Siruvai nagar guhaney in Amrithavarshini and Surutti.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 28 Dec 2009, 15:04

The next temple featured on this show was Kandhakottam or Kandaswamy kovil located near Pookkadai in the heart of Chennai. It is said that Vallalar Ramalinga Adigal composer of Tiruvarutpa comprising of around 6000 songs spent almost 21 years in Chennai visiting this temple and singing on its premises daily accompanied by Seerkazhi Narayanaswami Pillai on the violin. Vallalar sang about love for all living things as epitomized by his lines, "Vaadiya payirai kandu manam vaadinen". He is said to have seen a vision of Murugan on his mayil when meditating in front of a mirror at this temple with only a single lit lamp.

The story goes that Mariappa Chettiar and Kandhappa Asari from Poonganagar, Chennai were on a pada yatra to Tiruporur on the day of Krithigai. When they were resting under a neem tree as they were almost at their destination, Murugan came in their dream and urged them to look under the nearby brush where they found idols of Murugan, Valli and Devayani. Mariappa Chettiar had already built a Vinayaka temple in Muthial Chetty Gardens and so took these idols and consecrated them in the same temple.

Also Koteeswara Iyer visited this temple daily after his day working at the near by High Court and most of his monumental work called "Kandha Ganamrutham" containing songs on Murugan in all 72 melakartha ragas was done at this temple around 1935.

Laksharchana is done on the day of Kandha Shashti and the grand festival also dramatizes the Soora Samharam. Plaques with songs composed by Pamban swamigal and Madurai Chidambara Swamigal are also found at this temple.

Smt. Gayathri Girish sang the Vallalar virutham starting with "Orumaiyudan ninadhu thiru malaradi" in Charukesi and Simhendramadhyamam. This was followed by the Koteeswara Iyer kriti "Edhaiya gathi" in Chalanata sung at a slower pace than is commonly heard. The program concluded with a rolling lilting kavadi chindhu by Sathooram swamigal that starts with "Singaivel thottu ugandhu vinjai eri" and ends with "Kandha kottam amarndha thambiraney".

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 02 Jan 2010, 13:38

The last few shows have been dedicated to Tirukkazhukundram. This is located about 14km from chengulpet and is also known as Vedhagiri or Vedhachalam. The four vedas are present here in the form of hills. The main temple is atop the 500 foot hill representing the Atharvana veda. There is also a temple at the foot of the hill which is commonly knows as "Thaazhakkovil" where Bhathavatsaleswarar and Tripurasundari are the presiding deities. It is said the the Shiva idol atop the hill and the Ambal idol at the bottom are swayambhu idols. Vazhai maram is the Thala vriksham and hence the place is also referred to as Kathali puram. Rudrakoteeswaram is located near the thaazhakovil on which Manikkavasagar has sung.

Smt. Gayathri Girish sang a virutham beginning with "Urukkam ula oru dadhi nachi muthu enum" in Saveri and Brindavana Saranga. This was followed by the tiruvasagam verse "Pinakkilladha perum thirai" in Mohanam. She closed with a verse composed by Pamban swamigal in Sankarabharanam starting with "Vanakkum pinakkum tharum".