Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Thunchan Smarakam gets ready for Vidyarambham

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: The hallowed precincts of the Thunchan Smarakam at Iranimuttam here are getting ready to initiate children into the world of letters, art, dance and music. The Thunchan Smaraka Samithi has made elaborate arrangements for this year's Vidyarambham on October 2.

Pujas are being performed on a special urn containing sand brought from the Thunchan Parambu at Tirur. During Vidyarambham, the children will scrawl letters in this sand under the guidance of elders.

Noted men of letters including V.R. Prabodhachandran Nair, G.N. Panicker, Kavalam Narayana Panicker, Vattaparambil Gopinatha Pillai and Mavelikkara Achuthan, musician P. Suseela Devi, artists Kattoor Narayana Pillai and Karaikamandapam Vijayakumar and danseuse Aswathy R.S. form the core group of Acharyas who will initiate children into learning.

The first ritual involves seating the child in the lap of the Acharya and reciting the Vidyadevi mantra in its ear. Then, the child's finger is guided on to the plate of sand to scrawl letters. A gold ring is used to scribble letters on the child's tongue. The function comes to a close with the student giving Gurudakshina to the guru and accepting Ashtadravyam in return.

Those interested in participating in the function are directed to contact the Thunchan Smaraka Kendra at Manacaud or to dial up the centre at the number 2457473.

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