VAASAL - thry; Edition 06 September 2018
Vanakkam. Vaasal symbolises many things in Tamil culture. When we enter through the vaasal of any house, the first gesture we come across is Vanakkam. While one utters the word Vanakkam, they join both palms together to greet. The general reason behind this tradition is that greeting by joining the palms means respect. However, scientifically speaking joining both hands ensures joining the tips of all the fingers together; which are denoted to the pressure points of eyes, ears, and mind. Pressing them together is said to activate the pressure points which help us remember that person for a long time. And no germs since we don’t make any physical contact, as with a handshake!
In this edition of vaasal, we visit the architectural marvel the Big Temple in Thanjavur and learn about its unique pathbreaking design. Later, we become part of Manimekalai and witness the making of a female spiritual leader. With the emotions riding high, we delve into a young mind that fought her disabilities and used it as her strength to become a poet. Kavithai Sathiya’s poem on Rising High comes from personal experiences. Celebrating women power, we share the story of another strong woman behind Auroville Temple. As we travel along, we happen to hear onomatopoeic sounds of Tamil language. Intrigued to tickle our “funny bone”, we look into some Tamil onomatopoeic phrases. While there were flamboyant celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi, we tried to decipher the legend and the science behind it. We look forward to knowing more about another festival,Navaratri in our upcoming edition. The festival holds significance in Auroville as the festival of evolution.
We did not forget this month’s riddle for our readers. So readers, let’s go on a fun-filled, culturally rich route of exploring Tamil heritage.
Enjoy!
Ilaignarkal Team Ganesh Chathurthi
Clay idols, multicoloured umbrellas and delicious of nature and paying respect to them. snacks, I am referring to the extravagant celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi a few weeks ago. During the festival, people carry clay idols of Ganesh with an umbrella and offer Him goodies. After three Culture and rituals of India have always been a days, they immerse the idol in a water body, usually matter of interest to the world. Being one of the oldest rivers or oceans. There is a scientific reasoning cultures of the world, India has been called a land behind this ritual. Generally, Ganesh Chathurthi of Gods. Like the much recent successor Egyptians, is celebrated during the month of September just Indians have ‘Gods for Everything’. As I started to before the setting of Northeast monsoon in October, look more into that, I understood that ‘Gods for the fourth day after the full moon in the Tamil month Everything’ simply means worshipping all elements of Avani.
1 The dry summer would have made water sources The idols are worshipped with 21 herbs and leaves to porous and rivers might have been running shallow. avoid water-borne diseases that are generally spread Thus the clay from the idols when suspended in during this season due to heavy rains and floods. It water would form a colloid that would coagulate the is believed that these leaves when they are thrown in pores and form a layer that has very fine pores. huge quantity into the water, helps in purifying the water due to their medicinal properties. Water would find it difficult to move towards gravity in such a condition and thus sort to lateral Food is an important part of every Indian festival imbibitions. This would naturally lead to an increase and each one has a specific menu. For Ganesh and rise in the groundwater level on the setting up Chathurthi, keeping in mind the climate and its of the monsoon. effects on human anatomy, steamed dumplings with jaggery and sesame seeds are offered. In Ayurveda, Although there are many reasons explained to the the steam cooked food is said to have natural practice of dissolving clay idols in a water source, curative properties and are easy to digest. Jaggery the one that is largely believed is that being agrarian is a remedy for various ailments and sesame seeds based culture, our forefathers wanted to inculcate purify the arteries and help to improve the vision. the basic meaning of life to the future generations. Other snacks are like boiled lentils (chick peas, The implication that life began on the earth and bengal gram, etc), puffed rice, rice flakes with honey ends in it, is the common explanation given. and milk are also prepared.
However, due to advancement in science, people Children love this festival dedicated to Ganesh as it resorted to making idols out of Plaster of Paris, gives them an opportunity to explore the wild and which not only does not dissolve in water but is collect flowers like Calotropis (Erukkam, Mother’s hazardous due to the chemicals present in it. Due given name - courage), runner grass (Arugam pul), to environmental concerns, a number of families wood apple (vilam pazham), Indian black plums now avoid bodies of water and let the clay statue (naval pazham) and different kinds of leaves, corns disintegrate in a barrel of water at home. After a of the millet kambu. All of these are used as offering few days, the clay is spread in the garden. In some to the Ganesh idol. cities, a public eco-friendly process is used for the immersion. And so, festivals have an important place in the Indian culture for its scientific and spiritual reasons. In Auroville, children made the idols themselves at As we shared previously, the season of festivals has Ilaignarkal Education Centre and placed a clay ball arrived. There is a festival every month. The next of seed inside it so when the idol is immersed, the time we come across a vibrant Indian festival, let’s clay disintegrates and the seed germinates. participate and share the joy!
Speak Tamil-Language Hacking-Lession 6: Onomatopoeia in Tamil I was talking to a Tamil friend who arrived late for a me there is no meaning to it. Perplexed, I asked her meeting. She told me how she had a flat tyre and had how can it be. Then why say something meaningless to rush for the meeting. Her words were: like gibberish?
Gada Gada-nnu vanden! She told me that it is meant to describe the action, I came rushing! which made me look more into it. I came across what is called “irattai k-kilavi”, onomatopoeic phrases of I know the word vanden means came. But what is Tamil language. Gada Gada? I asked her the meaning and she told 2 Agreed. Later my son came home to eagerly share scene (as for poetic effect), like the ticking of a clock what he learnt at Tamil class. He asked me why does or clicking of a camera. the rooster sound different in Tamil? According to Tholkappiyam, the grammar bible He told that his English teacher from his previous for Tamil language, there are rules laid out for British school told that a rooster sounds “Cock-a- onomatopoeia in Tamil. They are categorised as doodle-do’ but in Tamil, his current teacher told doublets ,ul;ilf; fpstp(“irattai k-kilavi”) and its “Kokka-ra-ko”. And so I decided that it becomes stacks mLf;Fj; njhlu; (“atukku th-thodar”). impertinent that I find onomatopoeia in Tamil. Doublets (“irattai k-kilavi”) Although not a linguist, Onomatopoeia has always been an interesting aspect for me. More so, because it Irattai kilavi consists of two words paired with one is associated with a funny context, comics or spoken another which does not give a stand-alone meaning language. when separated. Irattai means double also twins and kilavi means to say or a word. These are words that Onomat means ‘name’ and poios means ‘making’ describe or imitates the noise associated with the hence the word means ‘making names’. But the action.A few examples of doublet onomatopoeia dictionary meaning for the word onomatopoeia (irattai k-kilavi) states ‘The formation of the words whose sound is imitative of the sound of noise or action designated’. ka-la ka-la ve-na si-ri-thth-aal The use of such words is for poetic or rhetorical effect She laughed heartily. Sirithaal means she laughed. (according to Collins dictionary). The phrase kala kala describes the action of laughing heartily in terms of sound. According to Webster’s dictionary, the definition of Onomatopoeia is the naming of a thing or action Po-da-ve pa-Įa-pa-Įa-nku-tē by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it The saree is glittering.Podave means saree. Pala pala (such as buzz, hiss). Webster’s for children explains describes the glittering adjective. as the use of words whose sounds suggest the action/ Pa-da-ppa-da The sound of Heartbeat under pressure Ki-lu-kki-lu-ppai The sound of Rattle (baby rattler) Gu-du-gu-du-ppai The sound made by an instrument of a fortune teller Gu-du-gu-du The sound made by running Na-ra-na-ra The sound made by biting teeth Pa-ra-pa-ra The sound of hastiness Mo-ra-mo-ra The sound of crispy snacks Va-la-va-la Blah-Blah - talkative Vi-ru-vi-ru The sound of walking fast Sa-la-sa-la The sound of flowing water Many of the phrases used to describe or imitate thoroughly entertaining! We suggest all our readers the sound may sound quite unrelated as is with find Onomatopoeia words in Tamil and email it to us the English Onomatopoeia. But then it is a comic at [email protected]. linguistic usage. How many of us have read Marvel comics and enjoyed the Avengers do ‘Bang!’, ‘Boom!’ That’s it for this month. Let’s meet again soon! and ‘Splat!’ Vanakkam! Onomatopoeia in Tamil is as interesting and enjoyable Poi-ttu va-ren! as in English. Some are very clever, some crazy but 3 Love All! (A peek into the interesting story behind Auroville Ganesh Temple)
“If we want to be loved by all, we should love all”, are the words of Poet Bharati (renowned Tamil Poet) during his interpretation of Bhagavat Gita (spiritual text of Indian culture). This theory has been proved by a family related to Auroville. This is a story of the Ganesh (the Indian deity with an elephant face) temple situated in Auroville near the Edayanchavadi village. The villagers celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi annually along with Aurovilians at that temple.
A family of seven, husband and wife with 5 daughters settled in Thiruchittrambalam in the 1960s. They lost a considerable amount of family land in a failed business venture. After the death of his elder brother, the younger brother Balasubramaniya Iyer with his Shri Paramacharya of the Kanchi Mutt when he paid wife Shenbaka lakshmi lived with their widowed a visit to the nearby Ilayanthangudi. Shankaracharya elder sister-in-law. When the family went through blessed her and told her to go ahead with the difficult times of failed business, failing health, they construction of the temple, even when she did not sold their lands to Auroville. reveal her wishes to him. Glad to have obtained his blessings, she came back and personally supervised The twist came in the form of a temple they had built the construction of the temple. on their land that was given to Auroville. The temple was built for the villagers. When Auroville bought The main idol was carved in Karaikudi and the land, the temple became a matter of discussion. transported to Puducherry by train. As per the vedic The Mother decided that the temple would be ritual, the temple was consecrated according to Agama maintained and taken care as per the wishes of the Shastra (Vedic Principles) under the guidance of the owners. Kusumben of Promesse was handed over spiritual leader, Mayilam Aadheenakarthar. Precious the responsibility. She fulfilled her responsibilities gems and gold were used during the installation of with dedication. After her death, French Aurovilian the idol. Diwakar is handling the responsibilities. Hailing from a difficult background and becoming a Shenbaka lakshmi is in her 80s. All of her daughters widow at a young age, Lakshmi Ammal is a force to are married and settled. Their third daughter is reckon with in the way she raised her five daughters working at Sri Aurobindo International Institute and provided for them. She still lives in a humble of Educational Research. Shenbaka lakshmi shared dwelling near Koot Road. all by herself. Hardworking the story behind the Auroville Ganesh Temple with and dedicated, she lives by the saying, “Love All!” us. When her husband fell ill, she wanted to build a Ganesh temple to pray for him. She went to meet R.Meenakshi
4 Thanjavur Temple
The Big Temple or Peruvudaiyar Brihadeswara The inscriptions on the walls of the temples not only Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva speak about the history of the temple but also about located in Thanjavur, Central Tamil Nadu. Known in the cultural and social life of the people. Inscriptions the inscriptions as Dakshina Meru, the construction also mention the donations offered to the temple, of this temple was inaugurated by the Chola King, properties assigned, daily rituals to be followed, Rajaraja I (985-1012 CE) possibly in the 19th regal year etc. It is believed that the temple has more than 100 (1003-1004 CE) and consecrated by his own hands in underground passages to various places. the 25th regal year (1009-1010 CE), It is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Great Living Chola Temples”. It is a living example of the engineering and architectural excellence of the Chola period. The entire temple has been built out of granite where there are no hillocks in the nearby vicinity.
Built out of granite, the tower (vimana) above the main sanctum is one of the tallest in South India. Standing tall at 216 feet, It has 14 storeys of intricate sculpting with pilasters and niches, and images of God. The Brihadisvara temple continued the Hindu temple traditions of South India by adopting In spite of the religious significance, the temple is architectural and decorative elements, but its scale an architectural marvel, the secrets of which are still significantly exceeded the temples constructed being studied. To build such a mammoth structure before the 11th century. The Chola era architects and in granite is no less than an achievement. With less artisans innovated the expertise to scale up and build, technological advances of today, transportation particularly with heavy stone and to accomplish the of granite to the site, carving, and lifting it to such 63.4 metres (208 ft) high towering vimana. heights of the tower is beyond one’s imagination. It is believed that archaeologists found that there were The Nandi (bull) facing the main mandapam weighs no granite quarries in a 50-mile radius of Thanjavur, about 25 tonnes. It is carved of a single stone and which brings to the conclusion that they were is about 2 m in height, 6 m in length and 2.5 m in brought from faraway places. Without elephants, the width. The image of Nandi is a monolithic one and is work might not be possible for the transportation of one of the largest in the country. The fresco painting the rocks from that place. It is said that more than can be seen in the ceilings of the corridors and also 1000 elephants were used for the construction of the in the ceilings of the many sub-shrines. They are an Tanjore big temple. invention of the Cholas and the painting, which are about 1000 years old are still brightly colourful. The Raja Raja, the Great was guided by his guru, Karur painters used natural pigments and infused it into Thevar, a Siddha who was the spiritual force behind the wet limestone layer as it was set in. The Chola the success of this dream project. frescoes were largely of Shaivism themes. Carved images of dancers in of hundred and eight karanas All these unique qualities make it worthwhile to visit (synchronised movements of hands and feet) in the temple once in a lifetime! Bharata Natyam can be found on the walls.
5 Manimekalai Manimekalai is one of the Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature. The story is considered as a sequel to another epic, Silappatikaram. Both of them belong to the 2nd century Sangam age and deal with the story of the same family. While Silappatikaram is the story of Kannaki, Manimekalai is that of Manimekalai, the daughter of Kovalan (the husband of Kannaki) through Madhavi, the dancer.
The main story is simply told. Manimekalai, the accomplished and beautiful daughter of the courtesan Madhavi and Kovalan, is brought up in the tenets of Buddhism by her mother. She has a natural leaning towards renunciation and the performance of charitable works. She is loved by Udayakumaran, the prince of Chola kingdom in Pukhar, who pursues her with determination. She is helped by her family deity to go to the island of Manipallavam, where the Lotus There are also other stories intertwined with the Seat of the Buddha reveals to her all about her past main storyline of Manimekalai. There is never a births. On understanding the truth about the chain of dull moment in the epic and though these tales are birth and death, Manimekalai resolves to stay firm in independent by themselves, they have been woven the path of renunciation. To help her in this, Goddess into the main narrative with natural ease. The epic Manimekalai teaches her three chants that would was no doubt meant for recitation at gatherings of the enable her to take the form she wished, overcome faithful to expatiate on the glory of renunciation and hunger and fly in the air. The guardian angel of the underline virtues like charity and compassion. island, Dipatilakai, guides Manimekalai to the magic vessel, Amudha Surabhi. With this magic vessel that Dr.U.V.Swaminatha Iyer has pointed out how, in spite can produce a limitless quantity of food, Manimekalai of being an ardent Saivite, he could not stop the flow returns to her native place and engages herself feeding of tears when he first chanced upon the four line the poor and the needy. Her charitable disposition spoken by Sage Aravana in the epic: pleases the King who allows her to convert the prison in the capital into a House of Charity. Those who are born are bound to sorrow. Those who escape birth gain eternal joy. Manimekalai, later proceeds to Vanji, where she Attachment leads to the former; the latter is the gain of puts on the robe of an ascetic and meets logicians, the non-attached. philosophers and practitioners of different religions to learn about the foundations of Indian culture. A characteristic passage made up of single self- She is not satisfied with any of the philosophies contained lines may be found on the vanity of human except Buddhism. Hence, she goes to Kanchi and is wishes and the impermanence of human body: taught the tenets of Buddhism by her preceptor, Sage Aravana. After she absorbs all the relevant parts of This body is caused by previous deeds. Buddhism, Sage Aravana gives her initiation as a nun It is a field for further karma; and of the Buddhist Order. Manimekalai then engages Sans decor, mere meat to be cast off. herself in life-long meditation and charitable works to Subject to age; receptacle of ills. spread the message of Buddha who was compassion Cause of desire; container of misdeeds; incarnate. A pit that hides the snake known as anger; 6 Within it is the heart tossed by sorrow, Entry into the Flower Garden Fear, helplessness and an endless pain. Knowing thus, look close at the inner truth. There is then the garden of Sampati Where stayed the Bird which lost its wings to Sun’s heat; High among the virtues advocated by Manimekalai is feeding the hungry. Saving a living being from Also the grove where lived the Sage Kavera the pangs of hunger is considered a penance and The begetter of river Kaveri; Manimekalai is referred to by such sobriquets as As these places are sentinelled by two the Doctor of Dear Life (Aruyir Maruthuvi) and the Fierce old crones, none dares to go therein. Maid Who Ended the Disease of Hunger (Pasippini Another garden which has many trees Teertha Paavai). That bloom by the orders of the one Lord Whose sterling aim is to guard living things, Manimekalai also praises other important virtues Show them kindness and wrap them with his love, like chastity and compassion and Buddhist ideals of Is for us; there you find a marble room non-violence, equality and renunciation. The epic That is sound-proof: but has transparent walls. occupies a very high place in Tamil literature. It Within is a brilliant Lotus Seat exhibits a purposive imagination, poetic exuberance, Jewel-studded: if you place buds on it an appreciation of the sublime, the good and the They bloom and never fade through the years. beautiful, high capability in characterisation, a Nor will any bees disturb their petals. thorough knowledge of the workings of the human One more point to mention, Madhavi; heart and a ready sympathy with the suffering of Should one pray to other gods and offer, millions, upholding the compassion of Buddha. Flowers here, the blooms would move away And reach the gods meditated upon. The extract is taken from the 3rd Canto: Entry into the If the minds were unattached, the flowers would Flower Garden. The episode describes Manimekalai’s remain. entry into the flower garden to fetch new blooms and the sights that she comes across on her way. It Adapted from “Manimekalai”, translated by Dr.Prema is interesting to note that the garden which is meant Nandakumar, Published by Tamil University, for Buddha’s worship has been described in a way Thanjavur, 1989. that reminds so much of the Auroville Matrimandir. It speaks about a soundproof marble room with Dr.Prema Nandakumar is presently one of the active members of transparent walls and a jewel-studded Lotus Seat, Auroville Governing Board. A great friend of Auroville from its where it is said that if someone offers buds on it with very inception,writer, scholar, translator and a true ambassador utmost honesty and dedication, the flowers never of Tamil culture and literature. She lives in the temple town of fade. Srirangam in Trichy.
7 Even in Failure, Wither not! Njhy;tpapYk; JtshNj!
Even if failures Njhy;tpfs; cd;idj; Hound you Juj;jp te;jhYk; Or toss you aside, J}f;fp vwpe;jhYk; Wither not, man! Jtz;L Ngha;tplhNj! - kdpjh Wilt not! twz;L Ngha;tplhNj!
Just for you, there lies a path cdf;nfd;W xUghij That has been created, cUthfpapUf;fpwJ That has taken life, fUthfpapUf;fpwJ Don’t let it slip away - oh man eOt tpl;LtplhNj! - kdpjh Don’t fail to grab it! fOt tpl;LtplhNj!
The garland of success, ntw;wp vd;Dk; khiy Must reach your shoulders, Njhs;Nru Ntz;Lk; And the world would praise thee. Cu;Nghw;w Ntz;Lk; Do not wilt away - man, thbg;Ngha;tplhNj - kdpjh Do not run away. Xbg;Ngha;tplhNj!
- Kavithai Sathiya ftpij rj;ah E}ypypUe;J.
rf;fu ehw;fhypapy; tyk; tUk; khw;Wj; Adapted from ‘Rising High’ by Kavithai Sathiya, translated by M.Ezhumalai, published by Kapilan Pathippagam, 2015 Kavithai jpwdhsp rj;ah GJit Nggprhuh N`hk; Sathiya is physically challenged confined to a wheelchair and an tpLjpapy; tho;e;JtUk; ,sk;ngz; gjpd;k inmate of Baby Sarah Home, Pondicherry. ‘Rising High’ is the taJf;ftpijfs; English translation of a collection of her teenage poems.
Riddles - Vidukathai (tpLfij) Riddles is a literary way of describing an object in two Let’s see if you can unravel this riddle: lines in a mysterious way. They are considered as an oral literary form. It is an educative tool practiced by Tallest he stands like a sentry. the mothers in ancient times to kindle the children’s His own business he minds. He brandishes two swords - analytical capability to find solutions. In Tamil, One short and the other long. tpLfij) riddles are known as “Vidukathai” ( . If you He’s awake guarding unscramble the word, Vidukathai it means “vidu When all of us are fast asleep. vikka vendiya kathai or pudhir” meaning a puzzle to You can rely on him and be safe. unravel. But be sure to rule him with a rod Lest he should cheat. Who is he?
Solution: Grandfather clock!
For internal circulation only Published by : Ilaignarkal Education Centre, a unit of Sri Aurobindo International Institute of Educational and Research Email : [email protected] Telephone : 0413-2623773 Blog : https://vaasalmagazine.wordpress.com Printed by : Ponni Press, Cuddalore (9443537557)
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