Most
likely you would have read about Enrico Fermi, an Italian and naturalized
American physicist, renowned for being the creator of the world's first nuclear
reactor, the Chicago Pile-1, and a member of the Manhattan Project.
Thiruvallikkeni aka Triplicane
is a famed land… The land of Emperuman Sri Parthasarathi, is the place where
religion, nationalistic fervour, patriotism, sports, education and the
individual dignity have interspersed for the benefit of the State and the
larger interests of the Nation. Triplicane
houses some best historic educational institutions driving home the point of
scholastic excellence for decades.
Triplicane was the
seat of freedom struggle – Balagandhara Thilakar and very many patriotic
leaders had delivered powerful lectures in Triplicane (Thilakar thidal at
Marina beach) and inspired people in the
freedom struggle. Mahakavi Subrahmanya Bharathi lived in Triplicane and from
this place freedom struggle germinated.
There have
been some jewels of Triplicane and today we had the honour of receiving the
blessings of a legend who had seen Indian Freedom and has participated in many
important movements. Today Aadi 27 (Aug
12) Vishakam nakshathiram is of significance for today is ‘Sathaptha poorthi mahothsavam’ of a jewel
of the land.
One
hundred (100) is significant in many ways.
In mathematics, 100 is the square of 10. 100 is the basis of percentages (per centum
meaning "by the hundred" in Latin), with 100% being a full amount. In our Sampradhayam, we celebrate completion
of 60 as Sashtiabdapoorthi, 80 as Sadabhishekam, 90 Navathi mahothsavam and 100
Sathabdha poorthi mahothsavam. Satham implies
100; abda– year; poorthi-culmination.
Today at Vidya
Barathi kalyana mantap Mylapore’ completion of 100 years of AMR Swami was
grandly celebrated by his sons, daughter, and grand children. Many famous people thronged to venue and
received the blessings of Centurian Sriman U. Ve. Aanmeega Amutham, Jothisha
Chakravarthi - Aranapakkam Mudumbai Rajagopalan Swami and his
wife Smt. Padmasani Rajagopalan.
AMR is
very popular among religious people and this towering personality lived in
Triplicane for many decades. In my
childhood have visited their home in Peyalwar koil street and years later, they
owned the corner house in North Tank Sq / Venkatrangam Street junction.
For a few decades, he
was founder-
editor of Kumudam Jothidam having begun his writing career in The Hindu . AMR has a degree in Politics and Indian History, has travelled far and wide, nook and corners specifically
to ancient monuments and temples,
gathering plethora of information about them. After a 22-year-stint in The
Hindu , he joined Indian Express , writing in both the Express and Dinamani. In Dinamani , he took
care - his Q&A in Dinamani Vellimani
made the magazine itself popular. His
astrological predictions made him a much sought-after astrologer. His way of life as also the parikarams he
suggested were simple and only embedded
with worshipping Temples and doing some service therein.
He wrote about many
temples that were in ruin, in poor shape and with his articles raised awareness
– funds would flow from devotees and soon such temples were renovated. After becoming very popular and much sought after
astrologer too, he lives a very simple life and till his health allowed, Shri AMR offered free astrological consultations, and directed his clients to donate liberally to temple repairs
and maintenance. Our Visishtadvaita samprathaya stresses the importance of archai worship, which
makes the upkeep of temples important, and AMR’s relentless work in repairing
temples is his major contribution.
A well educated and
strong follower of Sanathana Dharma, AMR is an extremely kind and pleasing
personality. His sons, daughter, are all
well educated, occupied important positions in office and now the traditions
continues with his grandsons, daughters doing well.
Today we were really
fortunate to receive the blessings of Shri AMR swami and Smt Padmasani
Rajagopalan on his Shathamana Uthsavam.
The spontaneous gathering of people expressing their regards for AMR
swami and flowing maryathais from various temple were all expression of the way
he has lived his life and impacted people.
He is
indeed another ‘Jewel of Triplicane’ we pray our Emperuman to shower on him and
his family continued good health, and prosperity.
Fermium
is a synthetic chemical element; it has symbol Fm and atomic number 100. It is an actinide and
the heaviest element that can be formed by neutron bombardment of lighter
elements. It was discovered in the debris of the first hydrogen bomb explosion
in 1952, and named after Enrico Fermi, one of the pioneers of nuclear physics.
With
great regards to AMR Swami
-adiyen
Srinivasa dhasan – Srinivasan Sampathkumar
12.8.2024