In the misty morning
RANJANI GOVIND
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A day in Margazhi begins with group chanting.
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"Namasankeerthanam or melodic prayer should be a part of everyday routine for developing inner peace," said Tukaram Ganapathy, presenting Vaarakari style abhangs, during his early morning bhajan session at the Krishna Gana Sabha.
"It helps to instil discipline and mould your mind to nurture good thoughts," he added embarking on the Maratha Saints' voluminous work addressed to Pandarpur's Vittobha, along with his team.
Udayalur Kalyanarama Bhagavatar believes that "Purandaradasa insisted on `Pratahkala Hariya Neneyire, Nidre Pariharisi' (Think of God as the sun rises, sacrifice sleep). "Nammazhwar was able to say that he was greater than God because he had consecrated Him in his heart. This is energy and mental strength derived out of devotion to Harinamam," said the Bhagavatar.
According to Thanjavur Tyagaraja Bhagavatar, "Even Tyagaraja insisted "Bhajana Seya Raada" in his well-known kriti. And Venkatarama Sadguruswamy always insisted on following the guru's path," said the Bhagavatar before presenting bhajans that dealt with the guru's blessings.
Soothing
Thus many welcome the namasankirtana sessions organised by sabhas early in the morning. "In Margazhi the days begin with the chanting at our sabha where it has become a popular programme. Late comers have to stand outside to hear the songs," says Yagnaraman, Secretary of the Sabha.
Draped in nine-yards sari and Andal tilakam, home-maker Hema Seshadri of T. Nagar says she generally waits for these morning prayers at the Sabha as it is a rewarding experience to sing along with the stalwarts on stage.
Connoisseur of music, Swarna Swaminathan says, "Coming in early for namasankeertanam is a habit. Distance has never bothered me."
And what about those in a hurry to reach their work spots. "No, we are never in a hurry when we come for these bhajans. Morning prayers at home is just a recitation, here we get charged for a month with melody and explanations, " they say.
Even as we tend to think that response is only the numbers who occupy the seats, it is overwhelming to see almost everyone gathered there with prayer books and sing with the men on stage or shake their heads and clap in unison, even while the Bhagavatars chant of `Bhagawan Nama' reach a crescendo.
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