Latest news with #Thevaram
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Reference to a Tamil book deciphered from a stone inscription
A team of historians, led by the Sarasvati Mahal Library Tamil Pandit, Mani Maran deciphered the name of a Chola period Tamil work – Thiruvadukoorpuranam – from the stone inscriptions found at the Thirukandeeswaramudaiyar temple in Cuddalore district. According to Mr. Mani Maran, he received information about the stone inscriptions found at Thirukandeeswaramudaiyar temple in Nellikuppam Municipal domain from councillor S. Selvakumar and subsequently inspected the same along with historians Thillai Govindarajan and G. Jayalakshmi. The reading of the inscriptions revealed that a person name 'Vanathiban' had coined the 'Vadukoorpuranam' – the 'sthalapuranam' of the Saivite temple at Vadukoor, which was mentioned in the 'Thevaram' hyms sung by Thirugnanasambandar. However, neither the palm manuscripts nor copper plates carrying the 'Vadukoorpuranam' were available now, he added.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- The Hindu
Madurai comes alive during Chithirai festival
Madurai, an ancient city, is known for temples, jasmine flowers, shops that open around the clock, three Tamil sangams, etc., but do you know that this city is also well known for one of the longest celebrated festivals - 'Chithirai Thiruvizha'? Some say that organised celebration may have begun 700 years ago. This 15-day festival takes place every year in May and it coincides with the vacation time thus making it more vibrant. This year, the Chithirai festival began on April 30th and will last for 15 days. A variety of events take place every day during this period. The procession of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar through the Masi streets attracts crowds of all ages, especially children, who come dressed in beautiful attire to enjoy the festival. Many vendors station themselves along these streets to sell toys, candy, and balloons. The city glows with colourful lights, and as the sun dips, the streets around the Meenakshi Amman temple bustle with devotees. People from faraway places came along with their relatives, friends, and neighbours, to witness the procession of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwar. To ensure a pleasant experience for everyone, vehicles are prohibited from entering these areas during the procession. Regardless of the weather, people eagerly gather to enjoy the festival, which reflects their deep admiration for Goddess Meenakshi and also energises the festival. Many children can be seen dressed up as Lord Murugan, Lord Shiva, Lord Karuppasamy, and Goddess Meenakshi. Some babies dressed as deities and carried on their fathers' shoulders can be seen bobbing up and down in the sea of humanity enhancing the event's beauty. During the divine procession, traditional arts, such as karagattam, kollattam, silambattam and oyilattam, are performed. These performances express the people's interest and respect for their culture. The highlight of the procession is the clarion call made from an ancient musical instrument called the kombu, which evokes strong emotions among devotees. The blowing of the conch shell, considered an auspicious sound in temples, adds to the festival's sacred atmosphere. Festivals are incomplete without elephants. A caparisoned Parvati, the female elephant, at the Meenakshi Amman Temple, is part of the procession and delights the devotees with her presence. Sivanadiyargal, followers of Lord Shiva, lead the way singing the ancient Tamil poem called Thevaram, composed by Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, and Sundarar, the three renowned Shaivaite saints. The procession culminates with Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi, who arrive in a palanquin and shower blessings on their devotees. Deiva Abirami
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Saiva Siddhantha shaped Tamil identity through its emphasis on devotion: J.P. Nadda
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and BJP national president J.P. Nadda on Saturday (May 3, 2025) said 'Saiva Siddhantha' is not merely a religious philosophy but a civilisational ethos that teaches the sacred relationship between the soul, God, and the world. Speaking at the inauguration of the Sixth International Saiva Siddhantha Conference, jointly convened by Tirukayilaya Paramparai Dharmapuram Adheenam's International Institute of Saiva Siddhantha Research, Dharmapuram, and SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) at Kattankulathur near Chennai, Mr. Nadda said Saiva Siddhantha, which is rooted deeply in Tamil Nadu's spiritual soil, shaped the Tamil identity through its emphasis on devotion, virtue, and liberation through divine grace. 'Tamil Nadu is a blessed land. The Sangam poets and Saiva saints have nourished this philosophy through its sacred temples, arts, and literary treasures. The holy Thevaram composed by the saints Appar [Thirunavukkarasar], Sundarar, and Thirugnanasambandar teaches the divine energy, and the sacred Thiruvasagam by Saint Manickavasagar melts even the hardest of the hearts. The message of Saiva Siddhantha is the message for humanity, that liberation is achieved not by renouncing the world but by transforming it with love, humility, service, and devotion,' he said. Speaking at the conference, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi said Saiva Agamas are profoundly philosophical and highly intellectual. The highest order of scholarship is required to understand and appreciate it. 'It has illuminated the entire land of Bharat. Our great Tamil Saiva saints – Nayanars – did two revolutionary things. First, they preached Saiva Siddhantha in Tamil language, making it easily accessible to the common people. Another great contribution was they showed the path to Bhakti.' Dharmapuram Adheenam 27th Guru Mahasannidhanam Sri-La-Sri Kayilai Masilamani Desika Gnansambandha Paramacharya Swamigal said over 300 research papers on Saiva Siddhantha are being published during the three-day international conference. Madurai Adheenam 293rd Guru Mahasannidhanam Sri-La-Sri Harihara Gnanasambanda Desika Paramacharya Swamigal and Kundrakudi Thiruvannamalai Adheenam 46th Guru Mahasannidhanam Kundrakudi Ponnambala Adigalar highlighted several aspects of Saiva Siddhantha and Tamil language. Mr. Nadda also inaugurated SRM Institute of Cardiac Sciences and SRM Trauma and Emergency Care. In a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi displayed during the conference, he said Tamil Nadu has long been a treasured repository of India's spiritual wisdom and cultural brilliance. Historically, while Saiva Siddhantha has been popular from Kashmir to Southeast Asia, it is in Tamil Nadu that it truly attained great heights. Saiva Siddhantha has been a jewel of Tamil culture with its various beautiful works of spiritual literature and social contributions of various Aadheenams, he added. T.R. Paarivendhar, Founder-Chancellor, SRMIST, P. Sathyanarayanan Pro-Chancellor (Academics), SRMIST, pontiffs of various mutts, Saiva saints and scholars, faculty and students were among others present.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Evidence of taxman in 800-year-old inscriptions
Chennai: Two inscriptions dating to the early 13th century, discussing the taxes prevalent during the Pandya era, have been found at Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram district. A group of independent archaeologists, led by Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation president V Rajaguru, discovered the inscriptions at the Mallikarjuneswarar shrine in the Shiva temple in Emaneswaram, Paramakudi. The two inscriptions were part of the same stone, and according to Rajaguru, they belonged to the era of Pandya King Maravarman Sundarapandian-I, who ruled Madurai in the early part of the 13th century. Sundarapandian had the title 'Maduraiyai Meetta Sundarapandian' since he recovered Madurai from the clutches of the Cholas. The stone carrying the two inscriptions was already recorded by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1914. Since the letters of both inscriptions are of different sizes, they can be considered fragments of different inscriptions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses In Hoa Phu Container House Search Now Undo The inscriptions contained 11 lines and spoke about land donations, land measurements, and the types of taxes that were exempted after the land was donated to the temple. For instance, the words 'Veli,' 'Ma,' and 'Mavarai' were mentioned as land measurements. Rajaguru said 'Ma' refers to a mango tree, and the land measuring the size of a mango tree was given as a donation. The land was donated to temples, monasteries, and the persons who recite 'Thevaram' songs in the temple. While discussing the taxes, the words 'Kadamai' and 'Viniyogam' were mentioned. Rajaguru said the two taxes were paid to the kings and can be equated to modern-day income tax (IT). 'Andharayam' is another tax that is paid to the local temples. 'Idayar Vari' is a tax paid by shepherds. Rajaguru stated that since the inscription of Sundarapandian in the Amman shrine, which says the temple was constructed by Sundarapandian himself, is the oldest in this temple, it can be assumed that the Mallikarjuneswarar shrine was also built during his period, as shrines are not constructed alone but as part of a temple.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Tamil festival brings culture to life in KL
A blindfolded participant shattering a swinging claypot during the 'uri adithal' traditional game. — Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star BRICKFIELDS turned into a lively kaleidoscope of colours as the streets of Kuala Lumpur's Little India pulsated with the sights and sounds of the Tamil New Year. Amid the swirl of kolam patterns on pavements and hypnotic beats of urumi drums, this festival, called Puthandu, brought culture to life. The air was scented with incense, spices and anticipation as crowds gathered under white tents, and fluttering banana leaves. They were drawn to a celebration steeped in rhythm, ritual and revelrous fun. Kolam artist B. Meshalini Shri, 19, brings colour to concrete using powdered rice to craft intricate patterns. Children dressed in colourful silk clothing sang classical Thevaram hymns, their voices rising in harmony while nimble fingers tapped tambourines in time. On another stage, there were Bharatanatyam dancers portraying ancient tales with intricate footwork, their anklets jingling. Then came the karagattam queens – graceful women who glided across the festival stage balancing on their heads flower-laden pots adorned with peacock feathers. Karagattam dancers balancing ornate pots on their heads. At the pavement, a young girl was seen creating delicate rainbow patterns with multi-hued powdered rice. A few steps away, another child rolled dice on a pallanguzhi board, cheered on by her proud mother. Then came the lively uri adithal, a popular traditional game. Festival-goers queueing for a taste of traditional tea. Blindfolded participants, guided only by gleeful shouts and laughter from the crowd, wildly swung a long stick at a suspended swinging claypot containing turmeric water. When the pot finally shattered in a splash, the crowd erupted in cheers. 'It's mischief with meaning,' said event organiser Rishikumar Vadivelu. 'It reminds us to laugh, to try again, and never give up.' A young girl trying her hand at 'pallanguzhi' as her mother looks on. The energy spiked once more when silambam exponents took to the stage. With sticks whirling and feet flying, their vibrant display wowed the crowd. 'It's not just martial art. It's poetry in motion, passed down through generations,' Rishikumar added.
