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News Round UpMarch 24, 2006

Book on Sri Kapali temple
By Raji Muthukrishnan / Chennai

 

An illustrated book in English on Madras’ most famous temple, Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore, had to be written. Lakshmi Viswanathan, Bharatanatyam dancer, has done just that. Called ‘Kapaliswara Temple - the sacred site of Mylapore’, it was released on the day of Shivrathri at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai.

Click here to read more on what Lakshmi Viswanathan has to say about this book....
Lakshmi Viswanathan

There are detailed chapters on the various aspects of the temple - from the history to the current day activities. The temple’s history dates to the 9th century, though there are very few stone inscriptions within the temple, says Lakshmi. The history of Mylapore, which dates back even further, is traced with references to the temple made in literary and religious works and songs.
Each of the sannidhis here is described, and the relevant legend mentioned.

A whole chapter is devoted to Thirugnanasambandhar, and the ‘resurrection’ of the maiden Poompavai in Mylapore, who is restored from the ashes, when he sings to her. The stories of his imbibing the divine milk from Parvati, and various miracles he performed, are detailed in another chapter.

The pradosham, which occurs twice in a month, and is ideal for taking the darshan of the Lord is described with details of the appropriate myth.
Each of the festivals associated with the temple is gone into in great detail, like the float festival of Thai Poosam, the Thiruvadhirai and the biggest of them all, the Brahmotsavam Panguni festival. Every day of the festival is described.

The 63 nayanars who are celebrated as arubathumoovar and have a day to themselves during the festival, are described in another chapter with pictures, and brief histories of the chief saints.
The book itself is a collector’s item, printed on glossy art paper. Beautiful photographs in colour dominate the book, enhancing the reading experience. There are also vintage photographs, allowing the reader a view of the temple in the past.

What is palpable is the deep love the writer has for Mylapore and Sri Kapali Temple, the very heart of Mylapore. “I do remember attending the pradosham when merely fifty people used to go around the temple Praharam,”she writes. “The idea of a book in English inspired me to cull some interesting historic details and also share some of my life-long experiences of the temple and it’s famous festivals,” she says.

Lakshmi grew up in Santhome and it is evident that the life around the temple with its pooja and festivals have left on her a deep impression. It shows in this work.

The book is priced at Rs. 490. (If you're interested to get this book, email at editor@kutcheribuzz.com)

Lakshmi had earlier written a book on Carnatic music maestro, M. S. Subbulakshmi titled ‘Ode to a Nightingale’, a personalized biography with lots of rare and beautiful pictures.

'Kapaliswara Temple - The Sacred Site of Mylapore'

Dancer Lakshmi Viswanathan shares her thoughts on her latest book on the famed temple in Chennai...

"I was born and brought up in a sprawling bungalow in Santhome , somewhere quite near the original ancient site of the Kapaliswara temple. Although I knew about the antiquity of this temple largely because of the saint Tirugnanasambandar’s famous miracle, bringing to life the maiden Poompavai of Tirumayilai from ashes, I had not researched many aspects of the temple’s history. The idea of a book in English inspired me to cull some interesting historic details and also share some of my life-long experiences of the temple and it’s famous festivals.

It would interest readers to know facts like the old references to the temple and Mylapore in chronicles by foreign writers. The fact is, this is one of the oldest settlements in the history of South India. It is quite possible that the temple was located nearer the sea and later was built in the seventeenth century on the present site by a father and son who were traders during the British Raj. Inscriptions on stone slabs from Chola times were part of the original temple. One of them is in the Santhome cathedral!

One of the best memories of my childhood is staying up till midnight, to see the “Rishaba Vahanam” on the fifth day of the Brahmotsavam. We camped at the prominent residence of Mylapore’s famous advocate, K.S Jayarama Iyer, whose grand-daughters Lakshmi and Sharada were our best friends. Their house was on the present Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s site. The grand processions of Kapali and the other deities with all the milling crowds, the din of drums and bugles and the numerous shops were a special attraction for us. Even today, I never miss the important days of the Brahmotsavam, particularly the “Adigara Nandi”. What a marvel, that the festivals of the Kapali temple were famous even in the seventh century, inspiring Sambandar to sing about them!

I do remember attending the Pradosham when merely fifty people used to go around the temple Praharam. When I see the traffic jams now, I wish special days would be designated as “pedestrians only” around the temple. I recall with nostalgia the Odhuvars of the temple who kindled my interest in the Thevaram. Sundaresa Desikar and Lalgudi Swaminathan were the finest singers, and I am happy that I enjoyed many an evening listening to their music.

Kapali temple is unique because it is in the heart of a metropolis and yet maintains its old traditions. I want more people to realise its historicity and help in maintaining order and sanctity around it. It is a great pity that permission is granted for every kind of high-rise building around the four Mada Streets. I wish the entire area would be declared as a heritage site even if it is rather late to do so.

The book is well illustrated with more than sixty colour plates giving the reader a glimpse of the grandeur of the festivals and the richness of our culture. Famous photographers like V.K.Rajamani and Yoga have captured Kapaliswara , Karpakambal and Singaravelan in all their splendour. Some vintage pictures too find a place in the book. For me, it is a joy to visit this temple. It is more so now because the authorities have done a splendid job of maintaining the sacred spaces within the temple. The life of Mylapore and its old culture emanates from this temple. It is akin to the culture that is said to have sprung from the banks of the Kaveri in Tanjavur."

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