OM MURUGA

GURUJI SHRI A.S RAGHAVAN- A TRIBUTE

by

                                                  S.R.S Ayyar

May 17. 2013 was a sorrowful day for a large multitude of Thiruppuzagh Anbargal in India and abroad. On that day our beloved and revered Guruji Shri A.S Raghavan, the very reincarnation of saint Arunagirinatha shed his mortal coils so as to be one with his favorite deity Lord Muruga. It looks as though the ever-merciful lord decided on that day that the mission he assigned to his much-loved devotee, viz, spreading of Anbu and Avirodha (love and avoidance of enemy) among the people through the medium of mellifluous Thiruppugazh had been completed.

While Guruji has attained the lotus feet of Lord Muruga, we the grief stricken disciples of his are in a state of orphan-hood. We can no longer see his radiant face, sparkling eyes, elegant tilak and sacred ash on his forehead, striking rudraksha around his neck and his compassionate look, with a divine aura surrounding him. We are deprived of the blissful experience we get on heaving his scintillating Thiruppugazh renditions and soulful Virutthams.

 Guruji was a multi-faced personality. The Lord Chendil blessed him to attain the singular feat of setting to tune 502 Thiruppugazh songs, Vel-Mayil-Cheval Viruttham, kandharanubuthi, twelve Thiruvaguppus, Abhirami Andhadhi and Abhirami pathigam in soul stirring ragas in carnatic music style with proper dissolution of composite words to bring out meanings. This proves his extraordinary proficiency in music .A noteworthy fact is that he retained the original chandhams assigned to Thiruppugazh hymns, some of which are intricate. Guruji was an authority of chandhams. His lecture demonstration of Thaala varieties and structure at morning session in a December season at Music Academy Chennai attracted many top ranking Mridangam artists who acclaimed his profound knowledge of the subject.

The persons who were associated with our Guruji while organizing special events would know well his quest for excellence and aversion to mediocrity. He had a subtle way conveying his views. When I was the secretary of Thiruppuzagh Ambargal (Regi) Chennai region, I was asked to check with Guruji as to whether he would like to see in advance the list of songs, which were proposed to be sung at a festival in Chennai, He said “Of course! Otherwise they may include songs which I do not know!”

Guruji was the pride and joy of Sringeri and Kanchi Acharyas. The shashtiabdhapoorthi of Guruji was celebrated with great éclat at Sringeri as desired by Sri Abhinava Vidhya Theertga Swamigal the then Peetadhipathi of sringeri peetham who had great admiration for Guruji’s large following, Guruji endeared himself to a galaxy of people coming from different walks of life Kripananda Variar swamigal, Vageesa kalanidhi Ki Va Jagannathan, Sree keeran, Sukhabrahmam Sri Ramaswamy Sastrigal, Swami chidanandji of Sivananda Ashramam, Sri Sadhuram Swamigal and President of India Shri.R.Venkataraman.

 “ Thiruppugazh Thondan”,“ Thiruppugazh Gana Rathnam”, “ Thiruppugazh Amrutha Isai Chemmal” and “Thiruppugazh Guru Maamani” are some of the prestigious titles awarded to our beloved Guruji.

Guruji used to often emphasize the need for Ambargal maintaining perfect discipline once the Thiruppugazh Isai Vazhipadu (TIV) starts. Till the end, with their minds devoid of worries and turbulent emotions. He was also against the disruption of the tranquility achieved by divine musical outpourings immediately on conclusion of TIV, He wanted all the participants to remain silent for a while after “om shanthi” was chanted “ If we sing for four hours we should remain silent for at least four minutes”, said Guruji at the TIV held on the occasion of Maha Skandha Shashti on 12.11.1991 at Sringeri Pravachana Mandiram, Chennai.

 

Before concluding his tribute, I would like to narrate a few personal anecdotes, which have a direct connection with Guruji. My active association with Guruji dates back to July 1991 when I sent him a copy of my article “ In Pursuit of universal love-The Thiruppugazh way” published in the southern editions of the “Indian Express”(weekend supplement) dated 29.06.1991 (copy enclosed for ready reference; it is also available in net). Guruji wrote to me a letter couched in loving terms promptly on 04.07.1991,which I am preserving as a treasure, Later he gave me valuable guidance when my book “ GRANDEUR OF THIRUPPUGAZH-THE HALLOWED HYMS OF ARUNAGIRINATHA” was published by Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan and my booklet in Tamil “ARUMUGHANAI VAZHIPADA AAYIRAM NAAMANGAL” was compiled .The name of the letter publication was given by Guruji himself and Sreemukham of Shri Bharathi Theertha swamigal, Sringeri Peetham, specifically refers to the vetting of the draft by Guruji Shri.A.S.Raghavan.

My wife Subbalakshmi and I consider the days when Guruji and Gurujimami (as we fondly call her) stayed with us in Mumbai, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram as golden era in our lives. We were then struck by Guruji’s compassion, free accessibility and concern for the wellbeing of his disciples. Despondency would give place to cheer in the presence of our beloved Guruji-that has been our experience.

It is due to the limitless grace of Lord Muruga that a vast number of men, women and children coming under the fold of Thiruppugazh Ambargal Founded by Guruji are born as his contemporaries. He has left a wide legacy–the legacy of Thiruppugazh which is inexhaustible .We should draw on this treasure to the maximum extent and derive the extensive benefits accruing from it. The most fitting tribute one can give to our Guruji is to seek the blessings of Lord Muruga by singing Thiruppugazh the way he showed us and stick to the principles he stood for.