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Lord Krishna's favourite month is Margazhi. The only woman poetess among the Azhwars, Andal, has poured forth her bhakti towards Lord Krishna in her devotional hymns - Tiruppavai - which comprises 30 (pasurams) songs, for Margazhi, the saint-poetess' month. The great mystique poet, Manikkavasagar, has systematised his lyrical outpourings in praise of Lord Siva as Thiruvembavai, which is also sung in the month of Margazhi.
The women of Nanganallur are sticklers for tradition. Waking up as early as 4 a.m., they wash the entrance of the house to draw a big kolam. The fantastic display of kolams, which appear like a labyrinthine maze, is made colourful with the application of colour powder. The pullikolam is very famous for its counted dots. The women then light an oil lamp at the threshold and the pooja room. Nanganallur is illuminated at dawn.
After rendering the sacred hymns, which is replete with rich imagery, that particular day's song is also sung in chorus. This is followed by the distribution of prasadam - 'venn pongal' and 'chakkara pongal'. This special mouth-watering offering to the deities, is full of ghee and cashewnuts. Young and old ones at home wait for the prasadam. They wait for the other members of the family to return from the temple with the 'pongal'.
Now to the other pursuit of Nanganallurvasis. Spiritual pursuits being over in the mornings, our folks get ready to hear their favourite singers at temples and music halls in the evenings. Concerts were probably arranged during this season as December is supposed to be pleasant. This tradition continues till date. The salubrious climate makes it easier for us to dart from place to place. Music halls are a meeting place for old friends. After exchanging pleasantries, they settle down with the performing artiste. Appearing interested for a short while, the old people doze off comfortably, some of them even snoring. Shawls and sweaters make their appearance only during December. Some of them cover their heads with 'monkey caps' and drape themselves with shawls. Every temple arranges week-long music festivals. In some temples, religious discourses on Tiruppavai and Tiruvembavai are delivered by scholars. We are confused as to which one to attend.
Since music has the healing touch, we are soaked for long in the 'nada'. The divine outbursts of the saints are the essence of Vedic teaching. The fine combination of both in this temple town has therapeutic effect on us. Some educational institutions have declared holidays and the children tag along with the elders on routine temple visits. With the religious mark on their foreheads, their bhakti is amazing. But their absence in concert halls is discernible. Probably they are too impatient to sit for long hours. Nanganallur is not only a citadel of music but also a Mecca of spiritual activities. Usha Raja
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The month of Margazhi witnesses a plethora of spiritual and cultural activities in and around Chennai. Since Nanganallur abounds in temples and music halls, there is a beautiful blend of divinity and music.
After the recitation of Tiruppavai and Thiruvembavai at home, the women and men proceed to the temple to have a holy communion with the divine. The deities are aesthetically decorated with velvet cloth set with pearls - (velvet cloth because Margazhi is a cold month). The fragrance of the incense sticks merges with the aroma of 'venn pongal' and 'chakkara
pongal'.
The Azhwars and Nayanmars spearhead a significant movement in the realisation of God. But nowadays the temples spread the songs of the minstrels by playing them at dawn, sometimes loudly. People who are in deep slumber are sometimes woken up rudely by the sound from the nearby temples.
The renowned
'Anjaneyar Temple' has roped in eminent vidwans to perform at the temple premises in commemoration of
'Hanumath Jayanti'. In spite of the mosquito bites and the cold weather, Nanganallurvasis make a beeline to the temples and auditorium. The whole area echoes with sapthaswaras and Vedic chanting. After all, music is an offshoot of 'Sama Veda'.
