You are
looking at the Nov. 2014 issue of Geethacharyan
that has Emperuman of Sri Vaikuntha Vinnagaram (Thiru Naangoor
Divyadesangal) – Sri Vaikunda Natha Perumal.
Geethacharyan is a prominent
sampradhaya magazine [Sri Vaishnava Sampradhaya book] started in the year 1978
and continuing in its own way for more than 36 years now.
Dr M.A.
Venkatakrishnan Swami (Popularly MAV) is its editor. At Thiruvallikkeni
divyadesam, sashtiapthapoorthi celebrations of
Methavimani, Gambhira Vakvarshi, Dr Mandayam Ananthanpillai
Venkatakrishnan Swami was celebrated grandly –
On 24th Oct 2014, at Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, the manivizha malar was
released by : His Holiness Sri Paramahamsedhyathi Sriuperumpudur Appan Parakala
Ramanuja Embar Jeeyar Swami and first copy received by Sri Mandayam
Parthasarathi. There was graceful dance on ‘Siriya Thirumadal’ by Smt. Vyjayanthimala Bali.
I am
elated to say that my article paying tributes to Dr MAV Swami – reminiscing our Santhai days when we learnt
Naalayira Divyaprabandham from him – is published in the Nov. 2014 issue of
Geethacharyan.
Pranams
to my Guru who initiated us in to divine way.
Here is the article reproduced and a photo taken with Dr MAV on his
Sashtiapthapoorthi day.
With great regards to him – S. Sampathkumar.
Thiruvallikkeni
is grandly celebrating ‘Sashtiapthapoorthi’ of
Methavimani, Gambhira Vakvarshi, Dr Mandayam Ananthanpillai
Venkatakrishnan Swami. The continued
kainkaryams rendered by Swami, his academic qualifications, his renditions to
Srivaishnava sampradhayam, his publications of many granthams – we hail and
fall in his feet. The Sri Vaishna Sect now
holds him in very high esteem.
This coming
from an ardent follower is slightly different
- this is more about the change he ushered in a generation, about his
role in changing the attitude of a group of youngsters, making them feel
confident, providing them in right earnest the rise to respectability. The Triplicane of mid 1970s was different –
MAV was a bubbly youngster, studying in college – completing to become a lecturer in the same
college (remember seeing him wearing spotless white shirt and white pant with
stylish flowing cropped hair). We fondly watched him drive two wheelers fast –
simply adored whatever he did. At a
time, when youngsters had all time for all material pleasure, MAV had different
idea. His days started early, his house
was used to the fullest extent as he devoted time and energy for large group of
school going kids. There were times when more than 100 such students assembled
daily at his house around 05.45 am; people changed, the numbers did not
dwindle. I was happy to be one among them alongside PS Lakshmi Narasimhan
(Sekar), Murali, PR Ravi Sundar, S. Sundararajan, TA Bakthisaran, TA Govindachari,
TA Sampathkumar, KS Venkatakrishnan (Govar), KS Gopalakrishnan (Rajathi), Veeraraghavan, Raman, Lakshmanan, Ramesh Govindan, Kesavan, Sadagopan, Pattabhi, Srivathsan
.... to name a few.
Our school
days started so piously attending ‘Divyaprabandha santhai’ at MAV house. He was so considerate to all of us – a smile
there and small gesture another day would provide us raptures. He was a hero, a real role model. His
teaching style was so affable (there used to be holidays not only for
Brahmothsavams but also during the annual exams) – for he insisted that none of
us should neglect studies. He wanted us
to excel in academics first and learn divyaprabandham also. He encouraged all
of us – there were special prizes in the monthly tests, there were cash awards,
uthariyams were getting distributed regularly. He took us to a few divyadesams
too – taking care of us, as a mother would take care, taking care of food and
stay and providing us opportunities to visit divyadesams, worship Emperuman and
do goshti kainkaryam. He groomed us
teaching the works of Great Azhwargal, in between explaining the meaning of
pasurams, thereby making us relish the pasurams.
The fact
that all of us who learnt santhai from him are now in good positions in life is
fully attributable to his methodology of ensuring that we studied well. Managing such a large group of unruly
students is tough – one may think, but a slight hard look from him was enough,
for such was the respect that he commanded from all of us. Most of us still would not dare to sit before
or argue with him – as respect flows from our heart. The summer would be at its height, and then
it would torrentially pour – the place was good to accommodate and the person
more than willing to share his resources and his time for our improvement.
He
encouraged us to attend ‘Thiruveethi purappadu’ without fail and in
Thiruvallikkeni, when one learns Sri Peyalwar’s Moondram Thiruvanthathi, one
can attend so many goshtis. We were
first habituated to coming to Temple and partaking in goshtis; we did that as
ordained by the master and the pride gained here, made us feel confident. Our attitude in life changed and reflected
the newly found respectability, rather forced on us by the untiring efforts of
MAV. If today, we can recite
Divyaprabandham and know something about our Sampradhayam, of our Azhwargal and
Acharyar, it is fully due to MAV’s resolve.
We saw our role model graduate from a student to a lecturer, starting a
sampradhaya magazine (Geethacharyan), heading the Dept. of Vaishnavism in Madras
University, delivering sampradhaya kalakshepams in the media. We relished his style, understanding and
clarity, when he spoke on various subjects including current
affairs, politics and cricket besides his opulent knowledge gotten from
voracious reading and effort. Generally
people find it difficult to adapt to changing times, MAV is abreast with modern
technology, making use of electronic gadgets, making web presentations which
makes us wonder all the time.
Years have
passed by, Dr MAV is 60 now – and we have also become older – whatever wisdom
and knowledge we picked up in the process, we all owe to his guidance, and we
would ever remain grateful to him for all the good things in our life.
With great
reverence to our Master – We, the students of MAV Swami
(PS Lakshmi Narasimhan,
PR Ravi Sundar, S. Sundara Rajan and S. Sampathkumar)
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