Sri Chandrasekaraswami Temple History - Part VI

Before we enter the Chandrasekaraswamy Temple, let us go through one more inscription in the temple, that would be of interest to all of us..


ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ர் மதிரை கொண்ட கோப்பரகேசரிபன்மற்கு யாண்டு யஉ ஆவது பிரமதேயம் ஈசான மங்கலத்துப் பாரதாயன் நாராயண நக்கநேன் திருச்சென்துரைக் கற்றளி பரமேசுவரர்க்கு சந்திராதித்தவல் உண்ணாழிகையில் நொன்தா விள) க்கெரிய நான் குடுத்த நிலமாவது எங்கள் பிரமதேயம் நீர் நிலத்து அல்லூர் வாய்க்காலின் கீழை முக்கால் விளாகத்து என் காற் செய் ஊர் அறிஞ்ச பன் நான்கெல்லையில்லகப்பட்ட உண்ணியம் ஒழிவின்றி திருநொன்தா விளக்குக்கு குடுத்தேன் பாரதாயன் நாராயண நக்கனேன் நான் சாந்தியபுறமாகக் குடுத் த நிலமாவது அல்லூர் வாய்க்காலின் மிய்வாய்க்கால் கொகிள_காற் செய்யில் அரை மாவும் பள்ளத்து தென்னுலவாய் காற்செய் கூற்றில் ஒரு மாவரை.

This deals with the gift of a land to the temple for a ‘nanda vilakku” (ever burning oil lamp). The donor is a person called Narayana Nakkan, belonging to the Bharadhwaja Gothra !!

He is a resident of Isanamangalam, a brahmadeyam ( a village of tax free lands usually gifted to Brahmins reciting and teaching Vedas). The produce from this land is to be utilized for the purpose of lighting a lamp and keeping it eternally lit, as long as the Sun and Moon are there.

The inscription is dated in the twelfth regnal year of Madiraikonda Koparakesaripanmar (Parantaka I) -- the title Madiraikonda signifies the victory of Parantaka over the Pandyas of Madurai.

Since the inscription mentions ‘Tiruchenduraik karralip parameswarkku’
One can assume that even during the regime of Parantaka I this temple was a karrali (built of stone) -- Only a very detailed search will reveal, whether it was already a karrali or became a karrali in a later period. (Transcription and Reading from article of Dr. M. Lavanya in the Varalaaru magazine)

And the usage of the word ‘Nakkan” reveals that residents were in the habit of prefixing or suffixing their names – to highlight perhaps their status in the community, or to indicate their professional skills.

The word ‘Nakkan’ generally meant ‘a disciple/follower of Siva’ and Siva himself is known ‘Nakkan’ as is evident from ‘Thevaram’. Surprisingly this word does not appear in other tamil literature of the time, but only in thevaram. This word also makes one to assume that the inscription itself is from an earlier period.

Nakkan appears to be a word applicable to both genders.. Eminent scholar, Dr. Iravatham Mahadevan has written a very detailed article in the Varalaaru magazine on the word ‘nakkan’ and some excerpts from his article follow:

*** It is quite true that Siva was called ‘Nakkan” (meaning ‘nirvani’ a ‘naked person’ in Sanskrit). But the ‘Nakkan’ suffix used by people appears to be a tamil word.. If one takes the root word ‘Nahu’ (smile) and add ‘An’ to the word, it becomes Nakkan meaning ‘Nagaimugan’ or a ‘smiling person’ ; and possibly this explains why people were named ‘Nakkan’

The same word when applied to females should be taken to mean ‘sister’ In the inscriptions at Thanjavur Temple the word ‘akkan’ has been used whenever the relationship of a sister is indicated. The following table will show the evolution of the Tamil words describing a kinship in the old days;

The word ‘Anthai’ when prefixed with indicators of ‘tham’ and ‘nam’
Becomes “Thanthai and Nanthai. Similarly from the word ‘ambi”, comes
Thambi and Nami – from Angai, the words Thangai andNangai -- and also
Angachchi, Thangachchi --- from the word ‘Akkai’ – Akkal, Akkachchi,
Thamakkai, and Nakkan signifying relationship of ‘sister’

Siblings were called either as ‘Thamakkai’ or ‘Akka’ or Thangai depending on the age of the person. Similarly other ladies – not a blood relation – were called ‘Nakkan’ or ‘Nangai’ and generally they are young ladies. (Article ‘Nakkan’ by Dr. Iravatham Mahadevan in the magazine Varalaaru)

And the above inscription shows that our neighbour Allur was also in existence during that period. That there were many irrigation canals around the village to help the agriculture-oriented village e.g. Brahmadeya vaikkal, Allur Vaikkal, Ulagu vaikkal. And Thidakki vaikkal .

When lands were gifted to the temple for the benefit of the saints, or sivanadiars, they were called ‘santhipuram’ -- for purpose of festivals, it was called ‘thiruvizhappuram’ etc.

There are, mentioned in this, and other inscriptions words of land measures- veli, kani, ma, munthirigai, chinnam, paathi -- other measures, padhakku, kuruni, uzhakku, marakkal, kalam, uri, nazhi.. Most measures are still in use though some are not. These inscriptions are not only providing information about the temple, but also details of the village, its residents, the administration of the village, and the temple, and some of our neighbours too.

Would you believe that the temple at Allur was called “Nakkan Koil” ? Yes, it is true. Writing in the Vara;aaru magazine, under the title “Thirumbip paarkkirom” Dr. R. Kalaikkovan reminisces on his archaelogical adventures, and Allur appears to be the first ever temple he visited on the inscriptions hunt in 1986. He writes -- The temple at Allur belongs to the early Chola period, known as “Nakkan Thali” and was located in a mango grove, amidst shrubs. The temple has inscriptions of Parantaka I, Sundara Chola, a beautiful image of Murugan and a gandharva -- though small, the temple is a marvel in architecture; now known as the Pasupatheeswarar Koil, it has not been properly maintained and is in neglect.. (Dr. Kalaikkovan visited this temple in 1986, says the temple is neglected, and I do not know its present status -- in the forties when I visited this temple, it appeared alright)…..

Before we conclude our deliberations on the inscriptions in the Tiruchendurai temple, it appears that an inscription of 1492 A.D. of the controversial Konerirayan may perhaps be the most recent one ..

Konerirayan was a lieutenant to Thirumalairayan, a vassal of the Vijayanagar Naiks who was in control of Tiruchi and Thanjavur areas. Konerirayan took over the reins himself, after demise of
Thirumalairayan, and ruled these areas between 1486 and 1495..…

Konerirayan was alleged to be an anti-vaishnavite (there is a dispute on this issue as scholars feel he is not an anti-vaishnavite) and there was a silent revolt in Srirangam in which two Jeeyars gave up their lives by falling down from the South and Vellai gopurams of the Temple. The situation was ultimately rectified by the efforts of Kandadai Ramanujadasan who appealed to Narasanaik the Vijayanagara King at the time -- who, in response to the appeal, fought with Konerirayan, killed him in battle and restored normalcy in Srirangam . Tirunallam village in the Cholanaadu was renamed Konerirajapuram in memory of this ruler.. --- (excerpts from “Chola Mandalathu Varalaatru Naayagargalin Sirpangalum Oviyangalum” by Kudavoyil Balasubramanian –publication of Tamil Palkalaik kazhakam 1987)

It is amazing that the temple carries inscriptions from the 9th till the 15th century most of which reflect gifts of land and/or gold to the Temple..

There may be other inscriptions too and we will come back to this subject later.

(to be continued)

- Sethuraman

Sri Chandrasekaraswami Temple History - Part V

A contribution by K. V. Soundara Rajan ---included in Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Achitecture – South India – Lower Dravidadesa (200 b.c. – 1324 a.d.) – edited by Michael . Meister and coordinated by M. A. Dhaky ---deals with the Irukkuvel lineage of which is our popular Pudi Adichcha Pidariyar. (publication of the American Institute of Indian Studies, University of Pennsylvania Press 1983)

****
Tracing the genealogical table of the Irrukuvel chiefs of Kodumbalur and their inter – relationship with the house of Vijayalaya Cola, he says it is hard to identify the Cola House to which Cattan Maravan (the eighth chief of the Kodumbalur line) was matrimonially related. It may either have been that of the Maharaja Kumarankusa or that of the house of Vijayalaya Cola, which was then gradually gaining power in the Tanjavur area. In any case the Irrukuvels, from at least the late years of the son of Sattan or Cattan namely Maravan Pudi alias Tennavan Ilangovelar (who is styled Bhuti Vikramakesari in an undated Muvarkoil inscription) were intimately connected with the house of Vijayalaya Cola both matrimonially and by a political alliance which never broke.

By a series of complicated equations based on epigraphical data, Maravan Pudi alias Tennavan Ilangovelar alias Bhuti Vikramakesari has now been established to be a senior contemporary of Cola Aditya I; Maravan Pudi had two wives, one Varaguna and the second Nangai Karrali Pirattiyar Maravan Pudi’s sister Madevadigal was married to Kannaradeva, son of Cola Aditya I by the Rashtrakuta princess… His daughter Pudi Aditta Pidari was given in marriage to prince Arikulakesari, son of Cola Parantaka I and the grandson of Aditya I… To Maravan Pudi’s first son Sembiyan Ilangovelar alias Pudi Parantakan, Aditya I gave in marriage his sister Nangai Varaguna… Maravan Pudi’s second son was named Pudi Aditta Pidaran alias Adityavarma, perhaps in honour of the Cola Potentate Aditya I, while Pudi Parantakan the alias of his eldest son, was perhaps taken after the name of Cola Parantaka I, Aditya’s son. (And that shatters my dreamy conception that the Aditham Pudi and his son Parantakan mentioned in one of the inscriptions at the temple could perhaps be Aditya Cola himself and his son Parantaka Cola !!!)

Talking about the Tiruchendurai temple he says ** A building that still has some of the Muvarkoil look, is the Chandrasekhara Temple at Tiruchendurai. Founded by Maravan Pudi’s daughter, Pudi Aditta Pidari, sometime before the 23rd year of Rajakesarivarma (Aditya I) A.D.894, it represents one more royal foundation of the Irrukuvel House. In size it is slightly smaller than the Muvarkoil buildings.

There are two inscriptions of Pudi Aditta Pidari of the second and third years of Parakesari (Parantaka I A.D.909 and 910) in which the temple has been specifically referred to as “karrali’ (stone building) – the first inscription also revealing the fact that the temple in stone was built by her. These facts are not mentioned in the earlier inscription of the 23rd year of Rajakesarivarma (Aditya I – AD.894) recorded by the same royal donor. This has led Douglas Barrett to surmise that the royal lady had replaced the original building in brick in or before A.D.909. But a certain formal nearness of this building to the Muvarkoil, together with the style of pilaster decorations and the bhutas of the bhutamala, seem to warrant a date in or before A.D.894 when the princess made her first donation. ***

Continuing, Soundara Rajan says that in addition to the famous Muvarkoil of Kodumbalur, two other temples are related in style; the Sundareswara Temple at Tirukkattalai, and the Candrasekhara Temple at Tiruchendurai near Tiruchi, which was founded by Pudi Aditta Pidari, daughter of Maravan Pudi, alias Bhuti Vikramakesari, and grand-daughter-in-law of Cola Aditya I. It shows features characteristic both of Malanadu (Kaverinadu) and Konadu schools plus local traits of the Tiruchi territory. The buildings of sons and grandson of Bhuti Vikramakesari, are few and inconsequential.

The scholars may differ in their views, about the actual year of construction of this temple, but the fact remains that the Chandrasekaraswamy temple at Tiruchendurai is more than a millennium old. And we are glad that Pudi Aditha Pidari had placed the Tiruhendurai Temple as a center-piece for these livelier arguments and discussions of scholars and intellects.

All that we the villagers knew was that our temple is an ancient one, and has many inscriptions in it, but apart from that we had not taken any interest to find out details of the history of temple. Going through all these details now, we know that the temple and the village has an illustrious past, thanks to the Archaeological Survey of India, its epigraphists, scholars, and the Dr.Ma. Rajamanickanaar Historical Research Foundation Who have taken so much interest in unearthing the inscriptions, and transcribing them.

(to be continued)

- Sethuraman

Sri Chandrasekaraswami Temple History - Part IV

The third scholar who has dealt with this issue, is Mr. S. R. Balasubrahmanyam. Writing in the book ‘Early Chola art’ he says:

*** The village Tiruchendurai, which is in Tiruchy District, lies on the southern bank of the river Kaveri, six miles five furlongs (10.66 km) from Tiruchy, and about three miles from the Elamanur railway station. It has an ancient Chola temple now called the Chandrasekhara temple.

The temple has inscriptions on its walls which cover almost the whole of the Chola period. Among the early inscriptions, there are four of a Rajakesarivarman, twentyone inscriptions of Parakesarivarman without any distinguishing epithets and three of Madirai-konda-Parakesari i.e.Parantaka I.

The most important of the Parakesari inscriptions is one of his third year and it refers to the construction with stone of this Siva temple at Tiruchendurai, described as being situated in the brahmadeya of Isanamangalam, by one Pudi Adichcha Pidariyar, daughter of Tennavan Ilangovelar and the queen of Arikula-kesariyar, son of Koparakesaripanmar alias Solapperumanadigal.

The inscription makes provision for sacred offerings to the God from the interest on the endowment of 60 kalanjus of gold. Arikula-kesari was a son of Parantaka I, who ascended the throne after Gandaraditya, and he was the father of Sundara Chola and the grandfather of Rajaraja I the Great. His queen Pudi Adichcha Pidariyar is credited with the construction of this temple with stone (karrali). The editor of the South Indian Inscriptions has held that this inscription has to be ascribed to Parantaka I and this temple was built of stone in his days.

The following factors have to be considered before fixing the date of its construction. In the inscription of the third year of Parakesarivarman, the expression used is “tam-eduppittha” which is in the past tense—“(the temple) built by us” and so it may mean any time before that date.

There are two earlier inscriptions of the second year of Parakesarivarman which mention this temple as a karrali (stone temple). The gift is also by Pudi Aditta Pidari. The Government Epigraphist mentions that the inscription has pulli marks throughout, a feature of its early age.

Yet he assigns this to Uttama Chola or Aditya II. Pudi Aditta Pidari cannot be assigned to the days of both Parantaka I and Uttama Chola and hence this view is untenable. Moreover, there are four inscriptions of a Rajakesarivarman – and two of them with high regnal years – 20 and 23 – could be assigned only to Aditya I. Pudi Aichcha Pidariyar mentioned in the third year of Parakesarivarman above referred to figures also in an inscription of the twentythird year of Rajakesarivarman. She makes a gift of five kalanjus of gold and the Parudaiyar (the Maha sabha) of Isanamangalam sold to this lady six ma of land as an endowment to support pipers (uvachchar) to this temple. Hence it seems to me that the stone temple might have come into existence in the latter part of the rule of Aditya I sometime before his 23rd regnal year.

The same Pudi Adichcha Pidari makes other gifts which range from the second year of Parakesarivarman to at least his 14th year. It has to be observed that almost all these Parakesari inscriptions have to be ascribed only to Parantaka I, as in the case of his third year. Further, one Bharatayan Nakkan Kandan of Isanamangalam who figures in the 28th year of Parakesarivarman is mentioned as a donor in three inscriptions of ‘Madirai- konda Parakesari, i.e. Parantaka I” of his 12th year, his 16th year, and his 20th year.. Hence it will be legitimate to infer that the inscription of the 28th year of Parakesarivarman should also be assigned to Parantaka I.

It is rather curious that the distinguishing title of Maduraikonda is omitted in inscriptions of Parantaka I in this locality even as late as his 28th year. But this is not unusual as we have in Kudimiyamalai a Parakesari inscription of the 38th year which has to be assigned only to Parantaka I. These three inscriptions of ‘Madiraikonda Parakesari’ relate to gifts of lamps, and for the supply of the Kaveri water for the sacred bath of the God.

Pulalaya Vinnagar -- The Viswanatha shrine situated within the temple of Chandrasekarahas has an inscription of the 20th year of Rajakesarivarman. It mentions that there was in the western part of the village a Vishnu temple called Merrali (the Western temple). All Vishnu temples are located in the western part of a village and are called Tirumerrali.

A merchant of Tanjavur called Manikka Vaniyan Karunataka Pulalaya rebuilt this temple with stone and bought from the Assembly of the village 100 pattis of land for the temple and its adjuncts and the temple was named after him “Pulalaya (or Pulaliya) Vinnagar Here is the text – “Ivvurt- tirumerraliyana Sri Koyilai pulaliya vinnagaram ennum peral karrali eduppittu devaraip piradishtai seyvitta Pulalaya Chetti”. This affords additional proof for assigning the temple of Chandrasekhara to the days of Aditya I.

The inscription with the high regnal year of the 20th year of Rajakesarivarman in a shrine within the Tiruchendurai Temple, the existence of an inscription of the 23rd year of Rajakesarivarman which mentions Nangai Pudi Adichcha Pidariyar who figures also almost continuously upto the 14th year of Parakesarivarman, who has to be identified with Parantaka I, the mention of the existence of a stone temple (karrali) even in an inscription of the second year of Parakesarivarman --- earlier than his third year inscription which mentions clearly the construction of this temple with stone by the said Nangai Pudi Adichcha Pidariyar -- all these point out clearly that this Siva temple should have been constructed of stone sometime on or before the 23rd year of Aditya I and not in the days of Parantaka I as the Government Epigraphist has held. ***

Our village should be thankful to all these scholars who took pains to translate the inscriptions and present a history of the temple as well as the village of the olden days. And we should be proud that the village and the Temple attracted Archaelogists, historians and scholars alike with its invaluable inscriptions contributing to the history of Tamilnadu under the Cholas.

We have one more Scholar who has contributed to this intriguing subject and we will go through that in the next installment.

(to be continued)

- Sethuraman

Sri Chandrasekaraswami Temple History - Part III

ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ர் _ _ _ _ ஆதித்தம் பூதியேன் என் மகன் பூதி பராந்தகன் அந்நப்ராயஞ்
செ[ய்]கின்ற இடத்து தக்ஷிணையாக பிரமதேயம் ஈசான மகலத்து _ _ _ _ ம் உடும்போடி ஆமை தவழ்ந்தது எப்பேர்ப்பட்ட நிலமு முண்ணிலம் ஒழிவின்றி குடி நீக்கிய தேவதானமாக நீரோடு அட்டி இறையிலி சந்திராதி _ _ _ _ படி திருவமிதுக்கு பதக்காறு குத்தல் பழவரிசி சிறுகாலைக்கும் உச்சம் போதைக்கும் ஆக சூல நாழியால் பதின[¡]று நாழிக்கு நிசதி நெல் ஐங்குறுணி இருநாழி உரியாழாக்கான ப[டி] _ _ _ _ கலனே இரு தூணிப் பதக்கினால் நிலம் ஒன்றரையே யொருமா முக்காணி அரைக் காணி முந்திரிகையும் தூப்பருப்பு நாழிக்கு நெல் நானாழியும் நெய்யமிது முழ[¡]க்கி _ _ _ _ க்கு நெல் அறு நாழியும் காயத்துக்கும் உப்புக்கும் புளிகும் நெல் முன்னாழியும் தயிரமிது போது நாழியானபடி முன்னாழியால் நெல் குறுணி ஒரு நாழியும் ஆகநிசதி _ _ _ _னே முக்குறுணியால் நிலம் இரண்டேய் ஒரு மாக்காணியும் கணவதியார்க்கு நிசதிப்படி அப்பம் அமிது செய்ய அரிசிக்கு நெல் முன்னாழியும் நெய் யாழாக்குக்கு நெல் முன்னாழியும் சர்க்கரை இரு பலத்துக்கு நெல் இருநாழியும் ஆக இப்பரமெச்வரருடைய கணவதியார்க்கு நிசதி குறுணியானபடி
ஆண்டுவரை முப்பதின் கலத்தா - - - - - - - ம் முக்குறுணி முந்திரிகையால் நெல் நால்க்கலனே அறு நாழியுமாக நெல் நானூற்றுக் கலத்துக்கும் நிலம் நால் வேலியும் சூல காலால் வேலி நூற்றுக் கல வரிசையால் என் மகன் பூதி பராந்தகன் அன்ன பிராயஞ் செய்த நான்று இ* (incomplete)

The above inscription is in the ‘jagathi’ in front of the central shrine (sanctum sanctorum).. The inscription reads – Adithan Pudhi, on the occasion of the ‘annaprasanam’ of his son Paranthakan made a gift (devadanam) of lands, to the lord of the temple – Chandrasekaraswami, and also Lord Ganapathi located in the temple, for daily offerings in the morning and noon.. It also describes how the rice should be used for this purpose. And the offerings have been detailed as Ghee Rice, Curd Rice, appam (pancake) and the ingredients needed for this e.g. pulses, salt, and sugar (jaggery).. The measures then prevailing have also been indicated – uri, nazhi, azhakku, uriazhakku etc. (Inscription and Reading – courtesy Dr. Lavanya’s article “Kalvettu Aayvu” in the e-magazine Varalaaru)

The very first line reads ‘Adhitham Pudhiyen en magan Pudhi Paranthakan – Who is the ‘Adhithan pudhi’ mentioned in this inscription? Isn’t it a coincidence that the father is Adhithan, and the son ‘ Paranthakan’ and if one is to identify the Adhithan , referred here, as Adhitha Chola I, whose son is Paranthakan then this would clearly place the period of construction of the temple to Aditha I period -- It is also a legend that Aditha I, built Siva temples along both banks of the River Cauvery .. It is possible that there might have been a resident at the Tiruchendurai village by name Adithan Pudhi, whose son was called Paranthaka – one cannot deny such a possibility.

This inscription is found in the ‘jagathi’ in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple (karuvarai) a location possibly kept for the nobles of the times – By the very title Pudhi, this person should belong to the higher class and we already know the pudhi family is closely related to the then Chola rulers.. and the gift itself makes one wonder if an ordinary resident could have contributed this much!

As stated earlier Vijayalaya’s medieval chola empire continued its reign for over four hundred years from the year 848 A.D. to Rajendra’s reign (1246-1279 A.D.) The three periods that we are concerned with are

Aditya  I       …            871 – 907  A.D.
Parantaka I     …            907 - 950  A.D., and 
Uttama Chola    …            970 - 985

Many research scholars and intellectuals have already gone into this, at great length, and I would bring forth excerpts from their findings which place the construction of the temple during Aditya’ s period, and more precisely to the year 894 A.D. We should be proud to accept this finding as it shows that the Chandrasekaraswami Temple at Tiruchendurai is over a millennium old.

The scholarly K.A.Nilakanta Sastri in his book ‘The Colas’ published first in the year 1935 has made references to this issue and these follow:

*** Aditya I is praised for his having built, on both banks of the river Cauvery all the way from Sahyadri (the birth place Of the River Cauvery) to the wide ocean (Poompuhar) rows of tall stone temples of Siva which stood as the monuments of his success... In his reign, however, brick temples were also built.

*** Parantaka I was aided in his Pandyan campaigns, by the Velir chiefs of Kodumbalur, and records dated very early in Parantaka’s reign, show that prince Arikulakesari, one of the sons of Parantaka had married Pudi Adicha Pidari, daughter of Tennavan Ilangovelar of the Kodumbalur line. (p.125, The Colas)

*** We have only one inscription, its beginning lost, giving the genealogy of the Kodumbalur chieftains for eight generations or so. It is probable that there were collateral branches of which we have as yet no information and if, failing to allow for this possibility we seek to accommodate all the inscriptions in the genealogy of this single record, we come across a number of difficulties, not easily settled. It should be borne in mind that a title like Tennavan Ilangovelar may have been borne by several persons, and no identification can confidently be based on the recurrence of such titles in different inscriptions. At any rate if Pudi Vikramakesari was, as there are strong reasons to believe, the contemporary of Aditya II who took the head of Virapandian, it is difficult to believe that he was also the Tennavan Ilangovelar whose daughter Adicha Pidari had become the wife of Arikulakesari as early as the third year (AD 910) of Parantaka (p.136)


*** Of the reign of Uttama Chola we have many stone records and one set of copper-plates. The beginning of the latter, which probably contained a genealogical account of the dynasty in Sanskrit verse, is unfortunately lost… in some of the stone inscriptions and in the copper-plate grant the king is clearly described as Parakesari Uttama Chola; but a number of other stone inscriptions bearing only the Parakesari title can be assigned to his reign either on astronomical grounds or because they mention relatives of the king. (p.159)

*** In the Chola period the more usual standard of gold was the kalanju of twenty manjadis equal in theory to 72 grains, but sometimes going up to 80. It is apparently this unit of bullion weight that is employed in an inscription of the thirtieth year of Parantaka I which equates the kalanju with the niska. When exactly the Chola currency was brought in line with this weight standard does not admit of precise determination. (p.613 )

The other scholar who has dealt with this subject is Douglas Barrett in the book “Early Cola Architecture and Sculpture” 866 – 1014 A.D., excerpts from which have been sent to me by Amrith Ram recently, and which I am reproducing below:

*** The CandrasekharaTemple at Tiruchchendurai lies on the south bank of the River Kaveri, almost six miles west of Tiruchirappalli. Here an inscription reveals factual information about the foundation of the temple. In year 3 of a Parakesari, Pudi Adichcha Pidariyar, Queen of Arikulakesariyar, son of Koparakesaripanmar, made provision for offerings to the deity of the temple which she had constructed of stone. (Karrali). The same lady made offerings in year 2 of a Parakesari when this temple is also referred to as a karrali. Now Arikula was a son of Parantaka I, so we may be confident that the stone temple was already in existence in A.D.909. There is, however, another inscription on the temple of year 23 of Rajakesari, in which Pudi Adichcha Pidariyar also makes a gift. This Rajakesari is clearly aditya I, but as in this inscription the temple is not referred to as a karrali, I prefer to believe that the temple was constructed of stone in or about A.D.909 and replaced a brick temple which Pudi Adichcha Pidariyar had already patronized.

These inscriptions present an interesting problem. If Arikula of year 3 of Parakesari was about twenty years of age and was the same as Arinjaya who perhaps succeeded Gandaraditya in A.D.956, he must have been about sixtyeight on his accession. But Pudi Adichcha Pidariyar was presumably at least fourteen years of age when she made a donation in A.D.893. Unless Arikula married a lady much older than himself he must have been about twenty in A.D.893 and succeeded at the age of about eightythree. This would make Parantaka I about a hundred years old at his death, assuming that he fathered Arikula about the age of twenty. *****

- to be continued -

- Sethuraman

Sri Chandrasekaraswami Temple History - Part II

IT is in the beginning of the last century, the Archaeological survey of India undertook the project of locating inscriptions in the various temples of South India, and transcribing them, under the guidance of Dr. Hultsch, and the temple in Tiruchendurai came to their attention very early in their attempts. The inscriptions copied by the ASI from the Temple and published in the volumes of the Epigraphica Indica were however limited to a dozen or so, and most of these inscriptions described the gifts of Pudi Adicha Pidariar to the temple on one occasion or another.

It is possible that the Epigraphists took notice of only those inscriptions that were visible to the naked eye, and did not go deeper in the other temple areas. Dr.M.Rajamanikkanaar Historical Research Center, located at Tiruchi, have in their attempts found more than fifty inscriptions (actually fiftytwo) and they have been really digging below ground level to bring forth hidden inscriptions. (Kudos to this Institution, and the Researchers Drs.R. Kalaikkovan, M. Nalini and M. Laavanya, et al. who made the front page of the Hindu this week with their discovery of Udaiyaloor inscriptions recently)

Out of the Tiruchendurai inscriptions, two come into prominence as these helped to identify the person who built the temple, and the period a little more definite.. The second inscription reads as follows (first we have seen in Part I) :

*** Swastisri Ko Parakesari varmarku aandu irandaavathu – tiruchenduraik katraLip perumaanadigalukku - Pudi Adithapidaariyen Kaachuvan Dattanarayananidai naan irandaavathu konda thottam muppathiainchu kazhanchu ponnukku konda thottamum Baarathayan Isaanamaaranidai vilai konda thottamum – ivvirandu thottamum naan vilai kondudaiya parisai suryagrahaNathukku Tiruchenduraip perumaanadigalukku thiruvizha-ppuramaaga thottathil bogam kondu thiruvizhappuramaaga neerodu attik koduthen naan eduppiththa Katralip perumaanadigalukku – Pudi Aditha Pidaariyen – Ithu Panmaheswara Rakshai !! (transliteration of Inscription No.126 of South India Inscriptions – volume III – reproduced in Vol.XIV p. 262 – reprint – Inscriptions of Parakesarivarman Uththama Chola )

Translation:

Hail! Prosperity! In the second year of (the reign of) King Parakesarivarman. I, Pudi Aditta pidari, gave with libation of water, these two garden (lands) as per the same terms under which I purchased (them) viz. the garden (land) which I purchased for 35 kazhanchus of gold in the second year (of king’s reign) from Kachuvan (Kaasyapan ?)Datthanarayanan, and the garden (land) purchased from Paradayan (Bharadwajan ?) Isana Maaran, to the Lord of the stone temple at Tiruchendurai for maintaining festivals (thiru vizhappuram) of the lord of Tiruchendurai on (the day of) the solar eclipse, (stipulating that) the maintenance of the (said) festivals of the lord of (this) stone temple constructed By me Pudi Adithapidari - (should be met only) from the produce of the (said) gardens.(The Assembly of) all Maheswaras shall protect this (charity)

As you all have noticed from above, this inscription, dated in the second year of King Parakesarivarman, registers a grant of land by the lady Pudi Aditha Pidari, to the stone temple built by her, at Tiruchendurai to meet the cost of the expenses of a festival in connection with the solar eclipse.. The other inscription we have seen in Part I of this article, distinctly identifies the lady as the daughter of Tennavan Ilangovelar (another Name of Maravan Pudhiyar) and queen of Arikulakesariyar.. Arikulakesari is the son of Sola Perumaanadigal (Paranthaka I).. The Epigraphist has commented as under:

***The King Parakesarivarman himself has to be identified with either Madhurantaka Uttama-Chola or Aditya karikala II, both of whom held the tile ‘Parakesarivarman” The provision made for the festivals on the day of the solar eclipse might suggest that in this second year of King Parakesarivarman, there should have been at least one such eclipse. If Parakesarivarman is identified with Madhuranthaka Uttama-Chola, who succeeded to the throne in A.D. 971, we find that according to Dr. Schram’s “Eclipses of the Sun in India”, there were two solar eclipses in the year 972 A.D. which happens to be the second year of reign of Uttama-Chola . Consequently it is not unlikely that the King referred to in this inscription is King Uttama-Chola ***

The above inscription and interpretation have presumably caused some confusion in the minds of researchers about the actual date/year the temple was built. Particularly Amrith Ram, a g.g.grandson of the Tiruchendurai V.Seshagiri iyer family, and an ardent ‘son of the soil’, now in the U.S.A., who has gone through the historical ephigraphical records held in the Stanford University Library wrote to me in one of his emails “ One of the interesting things I found there, was the date of construction of the temple. It seems that the Govt. of India archaeologists have given an incorrect later date for its construction, whereas it was actually built around 900 AD” -- There is however a possible explanation about the confusion.

In all inscriptions of Pudi Adicha Pidari, there appear the words “Naan eduppicha Katralip perumaanadigalukku” – and this has been translated as ‘built by me, Pudi Adicha Pidaari’ -- It is likely that the temple may have been built earlier, in an ordinary way with brick/mortar/lime by Aditha Chola, who, according to legend, built Siva temples on both banks,of the River Cauvery all the way; but this was made into a “Katrali” – built by stones completely, a renovation or rebuilding – by Pudi Adicha Pidari

Another inscription found in the temple, where there is a mention of a gift by Aditha himself, on the occasion of the ‘Annaprasanam’ of his son Paranthaka would perhaps support/confirm this view .. And the Epigraphists have only identified the date/year of the donation, with the help of the solar eclipse, and I do not see any statement from the Epigraphist for the year of construction (do any of the other fifty odd inscriptions mention?)

The inscription also displays that people resident in the village were not only identified by their names alone, but also by their gothras – ‘Kasyapa’ – this Sanskrit word has undergone a change when written in Tamil as “ Kaachuvan” and the other one “Bharadwaja” as “Paradhayan”.. and it also brings out the fact that on important occasions like an eclipse, there were special poojas performed at the Temple.

கி.பி.900ல் தொடங்கி சுமார் 400 ஆண்டுகள் சோழர் தமிழ்நாட்டை ஆண்டார்கள்.சோழ வள நாடு அக்காலத்த்தில் நாடு முழுவதிலும் ஏராளமான கொயில்கள் எழுப்பப்பட்டன ..செங்காற்களால் கட்டப்பட்ட பல கோயில்களைக் கருங்கல் கட்டடங்களாக மாற்றிப் புதிய கட்டிட அமைப்புகள் கொண்ட பெரிய திருக் கொயில்களாக அமைத்தனர்

The above statement is made by Mr. Subramaniam Kandaswamy (of Canada) in his book ‘Thennagath Thirukkoilgal thotramum valarchiyum’
Published by Manimekalai Prasuram, Chennai 600017 in 2002.

Mr. Kandaswamy goes further to say that the medieval Cholas had a golden era for four hundred years of reign, commencing from that of Vijayalaya in 850. Paranthakan’s grandson Uththama Cholan (another Parakesari by tradition) and Paranthakan’s daughterinlaw Sembianmadevi rebuilt many of the earlier built temples, into that of a ‘Katrali” Kandaradhithan (949-957 AD) is the second son Paranthakan. Sembianmadevi is the spouse of Kandaradithan and their son us Uththama Cholan. Sembianmadevi an ardent Saivite gifted to Brahmins well-versed in Vedas as Brahmadeyam, the village called ‘Sembianmadevi Chathurvedi mangalam’ - she also rebuilt in granite stone (Katrali) the brick-mortar temples of Konerirajapuram, Vridhachalam, Thiruvarur, Thirumanamchery, Thiruvakkarai etc. And Uththama Cholan in gratitude founded a village Sembianmadevi (near Nagapattinam) in memory of his mother. (p.213 T.T.T.V. by S.Kandaswamy)

(to be continued)

- Sethuraman

Sri Chandrasekaraswami Temple History - Part I

To know that the village you live in, TIRUCHENDURAI, got a mention as early as the 9th century A.D. in one of the stone inscriptions found in the Sri Chandrasekaraswami Temple, would possibly surprise you but it is a fact. The very history of the temple is hoary if you know the people behind the construction and upgrading of the temple in the course of time.

The great historian K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, in his book ‘The Colas’ says this:

Parantaka was aided in his Pandyan campaigns by the Velir chiefs of Kodumbalur. Records dated very early in Parantaka’s reign show that Prince Arikulakesari, one of the sons of Parantaka, had married Pudi Adicha Pidari , daughter of Tennavan Ilangovelar of the Kodumbalur Line – (The Colas – p.125, 2000 Edition)

and this information is recorded on the south wall of the Mandapam in front of the central shrine in the ChandrasekaraswamiTemple at Tiruchendurai.



Since there will be some, who may not read the Tamil script, I am giving a transliteration of the inscription as well as a translation

Text:
Swasti Sri Kopparakesarivanmarkku yaandu
3rd – Ivvaandu Cholaperumaanadigal maganaar
Arikulakesariyaar deviyaar, Thennavan ILangovelar
magaLaar Pudi Adicha Pidaariyaar
Brahmadeyam (Brahmadesam) Isanamangalathu
Tirucendurai -- thaam eduppicha kattraLip
PerumaanadigaLukku Sennadai thiruvamudhukku
mudhalaagak kodutha vedelvidugu kallaal
thuLaippon aRubathu kazhanchu – IvvaRupadhu
kazhanchu ponnum Isanamangalathu
Parudaiyom kondum ipponnaal palisai kazhanchin
vai poovil thooNi padhakku nellaaga
Aattu arupathin kala nel soolakkaalaal
karthigai agappada muppadhin kalamum
Chandraadithyavath attuvomanom parudaiyom
paththettu kuthal pazhavarisi kuRuni
NaaL thiruvamudhukkum ucham podhaikkumaaga
– idhu panmaaheswara rakshai!!

Translation – Hail! Prosperity ! In the third year of the reign of King Parakesarivarman, Pudi Adichjcha Pidariyaar,daughter of Tennavan ILangovelar and queen of Arikulakesariyaar, who was the son of Chola Perumaanadigal (Parantaka I) gave in this year sixty kalanju of ThuLaippon (pure gold) weighed by the standard stone ‘vedelvidugu, as capital from which sacred offerings at the holy shrine have to be provided to the lord of the stone temple constructed by her at Tiruchendurai a hamlet of Isanamangalam which was a brhmadeya.

And we members of this assemply (parudaiyom) of Isanamangalam, having received this sixty kalanju of gold, agreed to measure out as long as the moon and sun shine (chandraadityavath) sixty kalams of paddy per year, measured by the soolakkaal, i.e. thirty kalams at the end of Karthigai and thirty kalams in the harvest (pisanam) at the end of Panguni -- in all sixty kalams of paddy -- as interest on this gold calculated at the rate of one tuni and one padakku of paddy per one kalanju for each crop..

One kuruni of old rice pounded, ten or eight times shall be used each day for providing the sacred offerings (a) at the dawn (naaL) and (b) in the mid-day (ucham) --- The assembly of all Maaheswaras shall protect this charity (volume III, page 228, South Indian Inscriptions, published by the Archaeological Survey of India).

What a history and what details !! Looking back at the history itself, it was a golden era for this part of the country when Vijayalaya Chola established the medieval Chola regime in 848 A.D. that continued for nearly four decades till 11th century.

The Parantaka referred in the above inscription is the third in line of succession to Vijayalaya (848 – 871)Aditya I (871 – 907) and Parantaka (907 – 950) .. It is said that Aditya I was instrumental in building temples in this part of the country, on both sides of the river Cauvery, which appears to have been followed by other chola kings, or their relations in the course of time.

I feel the present day population of Tiruchendurai will be between 3000 – 5000 but the village must have presented a different picture in the eighth century… How many of you have seen this temple, I do not know, but it is definitely big when compared to all other existing temple on the southern banks of the River Cauvery on the Tiruchi – Kulittalai belt. For a tiny (now) village to have a temple of this size, I imagine the village must have then been fairly big, and well populated, and also an important centre.

The Chola Kings and other chieftains of this area were having Uraiyur as their base (capital?) and for a princess of the Chola family to take interest in Tiruchendurai and build a temple in stone, there must have been substantial reasons. Was she herself resident in the village? There is no evidence.

That some of us have just been worshipping at the Temple, without knowing the treasures it held for the posterity is just amazing. I am still puzzled at the size of the temple and my imagination is running rather wild to have an insight of the village as it stood then. There is no possibility of the village to expand on the northern side as the river Cauvery is flowing there. The railway lines came up only in the last century, and so one can very safely assume that the village might have sprawled to quite an extent and well populated.

Dr. Laavanya of the Dr.Ma.Rajamanickanaar Historical Research Centre, (the centre is doing a great service in going after the temples, big or small, discovering stone inscriptions, reading and publishing them and they have published quite a number of articles and books) who has undertaken the task of looking for stone inscriptions at this temple, along with her colleagues from the Centre, has this to say in one of her articles published in the e-magazine ‘VARALAARU’ ( http://www.varalaaru.com/ )

** This tiny village, which abounds with fiftytwo stone inscriptions, came to light only in the year 883.

There are no evidences either in Tiruchendurai, or nearby villages or temples by way of stone inscriptions -- how the village looked like, or about its residents, prior to this time.

While the village interests were looked after by the Brahmadeya Mahasabha, the interests of the Temple were under the care of an assembly called ‘Moolaparudaiyar’ … Looking at the available inscriptions, it is evident that most members in both administrative units were Brahmins… The village was under the reign of Kodumbalur Velir Chieftains (Kings) who themselves were under the control of the Chola kings.

(to be continued)

- Sethuraman

Tiruchendurai's Dronacharya

Circa 1968

A fresh Chemistry Graduate working as a part-time teacher in Sengattupatti (near Thuriayur) was challenged by the visiting DEO. The DEO lost the argument and like all losers, resorts to the easiest of defenses “you are not a trained teacher (meaning you don’t have a Bachelor Degree in Teaching)”. The fiery young man replied “Teachers are born -not made” – his take on John Dryden’s

But Genius must be born-
and never can be taught.

and resigned on the spot.

Well! What better introduction I can give to my most adorable teacher and the FIRST REBEL of our family “Shri.T.M.Theagarajan (TMT)” under “Heroes of Jeeyapuram”. I have not come across a teacher who took to that noble profession willingly and enjoyed every moment of it.


(Thiru T.M.Theagarajan, Photo courtesy: TMT sir's orkut album )

A dreaded cricketer with a Malinga- like sling bowling action who could win the single wicket tournament conducted by Trichy District Cricket Association at the age of 35, a respected NCC first officer who has attended military training camps, a cricket umpire from the districts who went on to officiate Ranji Trophy Semis and who just missed making it to the internationals due to the familiar Indian politicking, a remarkable teacher adored by thousands of students, a music lover with a difference and above all a good human being committed to blood donation for the last 20 years, Shri.TMT is a multi-faceted personality par excellence.

TMT the Cricketer

I have seen some of playing mates describe the matches. Armed with an Anjaneyar photograph in the pocket R Mani would get upset if TMT does not take a wicket of the first ball in any inter-village matches!

Playing for St.Joseph’s college Trichy, TMT opened the bowling when Kalyana Sundaram(Kali) who later opened the bowling for Tamil Nadu was in the XI. Such was his stature. God always keeps some questions unanswered and why TMT, despite being the most successful bowler in the entire district was never picked up to represent the Trichy District being one of them. With his infinite passion for cricket few hurdles could stop TMT; he took to umpiring and became a respected umpire in the state, soon.

But the teacher in him was craving for more. He began taking classes for umpiring and at one time Trichy had the maximum qualified umpires in the state. His classes were always well-attended, thought-provoking. Having attended the classes myself, even today, I can tell the LBW rules as per the then ICC rules, broken up into 4 main points and the 5th point with (a) and (b). The examples given were practical and the learning process was immensely attractive to the students.

As a natural teacher TMT always got it right when it came to identifying talents. I vividly remember when he came back from Pudukottai after officiating the City XI Vs Combined Districts XI (under-15). “I saw a leg spinner by name Sivaramakrishnan. Take it from me , he is in the national team within a year”. L.Siva was picked for the famous Ranji semis against Delhi at chepauk (Manindar Singh debuted for Delhi!). A real riot of a match it was in all senses ,L.Siva was immediately picked for the WI tour. (Ofcourse, L.Siva who should have become a Shane Warne till date remains cricket’s ultimate conundrum).Same was with Chandrakant pandit whom he saw playing in the nets during the TDCA 25th year Invitation tournament.

When AP Rajasekhar went overboard on appealing, the crowd roared in support of TMT, the umpire! It was like Dickie Bird or a David Sheppard at Lords!

TMT the English Teacher

When TMT joined ER High School expectations ran high as some serious benchmarks had already been set by his illustrious elder brother Shri.T.M.Sreenivasan (TMS). TMT set his own style , a style that Winston Churchill’s Harrow’s teacher would be proud of. It is a path breaking idea even today as it identified the weakness of Tamil medium students in English and provided the winning solution that thousands of Tamil medium students would vouch for. The rules were simple
1. You are not supposed to think in the exam hall but to write
2. Writing without errors is more than important than exhibition of verbose writing and flexing your linguistic muscles.
3. At the age of 15 nothing works like monotonous training and you bloody well go through it!


( T.M.Theagarajan and his brother T.M.Srinivasan )

When I was in X std I thought I had a hidden Keats in me, but soon TMT made me realize that Keats never took the Tamil Nadu State Board X std exam. I had some friends in Tamil Medium and speaking to them later after many years, I fully understood what that rigorous training meant to them and how it mattered to their success.

Thanks to my friend Saravanan (sharjah), these days I have developed a passion for English poetry.. But looking back I understand that it was his narration for the poem “Toys” for Bhavani padhippagam notes that provided the seed. His quoting Colly Cibber’s Blind Boy every time had brought tears. We did share some interesting thoughts on the poem “Everest” and particularly the lines “Beyond the last campfire with faith in god as guide”

Even today I regret that he never had a chance to teach Neville Cardus’s “Cricket” to students that was part of 12th Standard English then. It would have been a dream when someone with a passion for Cricket, English and Teaching, teaches you a lesson on cricket.


TMT the science teacher

In a school with great fund constraints, science experiments were considered superfluous and labs, luxurious. But everyone who studied under TMT even for a month would remember a class room experiment. No one else understood the value of practical classroom experiments than TMT. Perhaps his only failure could be me, who, despite the best of his efforts, could not manage science and settled for commerce during +2 and ended up as a CA.

I have not met a single student of TMT who doubted his unfailing commitment to the student community. Speaking to him few days back I asked “Chittappa , what do you consider as your single big achievement?” .Techno-savvy TMT joked “ I don’t have an Orkut Hate-TMT group and I think it is an achievement”

TMT did not believe in furthering his academic qualifications. Once I commented that as his failure. He answered me “as long as the student does not feel that it is TMT Ph.D teaching and not TMT B.Sc, the qualifications mean nothing”. That is his way of maintaining the focus on teaching.

He shared the examiner’s viewpoint with the students and that cut the rough edges of many a student’s preparation.

TMT the students’ teacher

There were many instances where students who studied in other classes but approached him for any type of help whether be counseling for career, scholarships, financial help. He took them up as personal tasks and got the deserving student what they wanted. Behind the strict disciplinarian with an imposing veerappan-sque moustache there was always remained an approachable and caring teacher.

Good teachers today…

They dwindled. Sir, sad sight to see!

Sir William Wordworth – the Last of the flock

TMT will remain the last of the flock. Everytime I read “The Happy Waarior” I always think of him…”A constant influence and a peculiar grace”.

I had a friend, philosopher and guide in him and we share many things in common, be it the affection and love to my grandfather Dr.Seshagiri Sastry, the adoration for MGR, the passion towards cinema & carnatic music and above all the love towards Tiruchendurai.

TMT sir, Always your fan first, nephew next

T.R.Sankar
The naughty boy of the 80s.
Currently at Doha,Qatar
Sankar.tr (at) gmail (dot) com

Aadi Kirthigai

The heroes of Tiruchendurai (Jeeyapuram) village - TMT

Thiruchendurai lies on the banks of the River Cauvery,honoured by Lord Ranganatha's visit evry year.I saw the articles written by Sri.Kuppu(Sethuraman)I would like to add a few more important things which have not been stressed.

I want to make mention of PANDAL VENKATARAMA MAMA,without whom life would not have been easy for the villagers as comgortably as it was!!!A man born for sacrifice,would be at your doors for any help even without your asking for it.He didn't know much about The Famous Bhajan Songs,but believe me,without him,any Uthsavam or Bhajan could not have taken place in out village!!It was he who set the wheel of Public service rolling which later on was imbibed by Sri.R.Subramanian and Nagarajan.In fact we used to call Mani(R.Subramanian)Junior Venkatarama Mama.Now it is the turn of Makadi(Sorry to call him by his pet name in the village)and his able band of true followers like Sharma Balu,Suchi,Rajagopal,Guna,Thalaivar Balu,Vasu,Jambu,R.Balu and a host of others.

Venkatarama Mama with the Sky above and the mud below was able to be our COMMANDER IN CHIEF.There would have been no second word for his commands.Especially,when there was any death occuring in our village,he would be the first man to report at that place and would be the last man to leave that house only after confirming that things are going in the right direction.The Grihasthan of that house could afford be absolutely care free because THE GIANT was there to look after everything!!! In our family we adore him as GOD!!!I am proud to mention here that me and my brother Sri.T.M.Srinivasan had a unique place in his heart!!

During Sree Rama Navami Uthsavam,all arrngements were his his responsibility and the villagers had nothing else to do except attend the function and seek the Blessings of LORD SRIRAMA!!!I can remember,young boys were afraid of entering the temple with their shirts on only thanks to Sri.Venkatarama Mama.

I don't remember to have seen him inside the temple anytime during the Bhajans.He would always be busy making other arrangements for the successful conduct of the function.I am proud to say that our village was blessed to have SRI.Venkatarama Mama as its ONE MAN ARMY!!! May His Tribe Increase!!!

Secondly I would say that our villgers are lucky to have lived in the ERA of Dr.S.Gopalan,the AVATHARA PURUSHA!!!A man free of any guile,was earnest and absolutely honest in doing anything.As a doctor his concern for the poor and the oppressed was simply amazing and beyond compare.The monumental things he has left in our temple stand proof of his devotion to The LORD..His humilty and self denial are to be emulated by one and all.His dream was that some one from Thiruchendurai should find a place in the Map of the Country if not in the map of the World,for some kind of achivement in any field!!(Remember he belonged to Kodiyalam Village)

We are sure his illustrious son Dr.G.Mukundhan who is the most sought after doctor in Trichy will fulfil his long cherished desire.There are many other brilliant boys to make his dream come true!! Let me pray to LORD VENU GOPALAKRISHNA for that glorious day to dawn at the earliest.That will be a real and fitting tribute to the departed soul.His knowledge about our Scriptures and his ability to compose verses in Sanskrit and Tamil was awe inspiring.It was fitting that he reached Heavenly Abode on the day Lord Ranganatha visited our village and again mind you,it was during our SriRama Navami Uthsavam!!!He is so attached to our village that,I am sure his soul will be all pervading in our village blessing his favourite villagers!!!

It was given to me to speak in the RSS meeting to condole the demise of Dr.Gopalan.I couldn't complete my speech because I was speechless with emotion in the middle!!!

Memories recalled by,
TMT

Part IV An insight into the people of Thiruchendurai (of 1940) - By Sethuraman

Just across the railway line, and right opposite to the lane leading to the Siva temple, stands ‘Madhurasundari Vilas’ a bungalow belonging to Burma M.S. Muthuswamy Iyer – MSM chose this village, for its serenity, comforts and its proximity to Tiruchi town, as his residence, after a long stint at Burma .. His was a large family, and he endeared himself to everyone for his outspokenness, and earnest desire to help and assist everyone to the extent he could. This Bungalow originally belonged to Munsif Ayya Ayyar who played a vital part in the village, particularly during the Cauvery floods of 1924.. It is said that between the two of them -- Munsif Ayya Ayyar and Venkataraman they shared the responsibility of saving the village, by arresting the water flowing into the village by building check dams with sandbags and keeping an all night vigil.



(Venkatarama Iyer in 1982 – Age did not deter him continuing his good work – well remembered by the villagers, this noble soul passed away in 1984 – photo courtesy – family)

The Bungalow had a huge backyard, where MSM planted some teakwood saplings brought over from Burma and one could see those tall trees all the time. All his children moved amongst the villagers with camaraderie, and affection, till they started moving out of the village for better prospects. Ramamurthy the eldest, moved to Tiruchi, where he worked for the Railways – M. P. Haran, also known as Chella, moved to Madras where he involved himself in marketing Insurance. Visweswaran who was friendly with other village lads, passed away in a very young age due to smallpox, as also Baby his younger brother. Patta, who had a good academic career at the Agricultural College, somehow became very quiet, and isolated himself from a family life – but was giving a helping hand in all village activities. Patta remained a bachelor till the end..
Of the daughters Raji got married and settled down in Madras, Rukku married an Engineer who was working at Lillooah (once again a Calcutta connection) but settled in T’Nagar after his retirement...

MSM married again a lady from Nilakkottai ; the family lived in the bungalow for quite a few years and when the Bungalow was sold out, they moved out of the village. .

And there were migrants to this village then, some of whom have adopted the village as their own and continue to reside here.. One such is V. Ramachandran of the Railways, a good friend of Radhakrishnan, took active part in the formation of the St. Johns Ambulance Association, as also in other activities of the village. He was residing in the Periyaam for a while and then moved over to the Keela Theru – family still resides in the village, and a grandson of Ramachandran, Sriram an engineering student at Khargpur, joining hands with Mahesh started the Jeeyapuram blogsite. Coffee Srinivasa Iyer, Panaiyur Ranganathan, were also the other migrants.

And there were some other transients too – a few of them have visited the jeeyapuram blogsite, expressing happiness on the product, and adding that they were also residents of the village for a while in their younger days.

And we also had a number of old ladies in the village, who, during their younger days, must have contributed a lot for the growth of the village in many ways. Because of the many restrictions and orthodoxy of the system, they all
adhered to the strict sartorial restrictions e.g. tonsured head, a brown colour naarpattu saree and vibhuthi on their foreheads.. While Thangammapatti, Chellammapatti, and Gnanambalpatti belonged to the ‘haves’ Pichupatti who lived in a hut just in front of the Srirangam House, under the poovarasam tree belonged to the ‘have not’ as she did not have any close kin to take care of her in her nonagenarian days. The families nearby took care of her meager needs till her death.

A noteworthy migrant in the vellala Street east of the MSM Bungalow, is the Gosain family – Hira Giri Gosain, and Gopal Giri Gosain – It is not known when they moved into the village but the they took a very active part in all happenings of the village. Hira Giri was a trustee of the Chandrasekaraswamy Temple – they must have come down from the North probably in the previous century and chose our village to settle down.

In the western side Vellala Street, the family of Mariappa Pillai and Sangiliya Pillai– later a Panchayat president, was very active in the happenings and made himself affable and friendly to one and all.. The others that are still remembered are Mason Natesan, and his assistant Marimuthu – the village’s builder and architect; Ramu Pandaram who for a long time served the Elampuli amman Temple, across the railway line (which incidentally had a grand Kumbabishegam recently thanks to the interests of all villagers led by Rangarajan) A generous contributor to this memorable event is Dr. Kamala Selvaraj, the very popular obstetrician and gynaecologist and daughter of Gemini Ganesan -- and talking about this Temple, no one will forget the awe-inspiring Potharaju, who, with just a stroke of his sword, severed the head of the lamb, when animal sacrifices were conducted,in the past.

The other people who were actively involved in the village were -- Vasanthu and Muthukrishna Bhattar, the archakas of the Venugopalaswamy Temple in Tiruchendurai. Though not residents in our village, they made a daily visit in the morning to perform poojas at the temple and in the month of Margazhi, and everyone would be eagerly looking forward to their dawn visits. This is the time when ‘margazhi bhajan’ would start from the temple in the wee hours, go around the village, and return to the temple at day-break.. The Bhattar would have brought an ‘arukkanchatti’ full of vennpongal, and soon after the deeparadhana this will be distributed – and it was divine to consume that prasadam.

The nearest maternity hospital was in Tiruchi and in those days most deliveries of babies would take place in one’s house itself. No one will forget Anandam, the ever smiling midwife of the village. She gave a helping hand to the physician at the Clinic, and attended to most deliveries at the village.

And there were a group of loyal lessees who made themselves members of the families of Tiruchendurai and they are – Appavu and Ganesan, who looked after the mango grove south of the railway station, and also lands of a few of the village residents, Perumal who took care of the lands, gardens of T.S.Ramanathan family – it is very difficult to find such loyal persons these days.

In the surroundings of the Railway station, there were shops but one stood out most –it was the ‘coffee club’ of a Sozhiyar family, where Ganesan worked as a ‘sarakku master’ (chef) Ganesan was an extremely nice person, and after a couple of years of hard work at the other restaurant, he opened a hotel of his own just in front of the railway station – to which most village lads were regular visitors. Onion sambar was very famous in Ganesan’s as also other snacks, ravadosai and vadai. It was a small place, with a frontage, and the canal running behind for washing vessels etc. And old residents visiting the village during their vacation made it a ‘must’ to visit the Ganesan’s.

The Municipal Clinic was located in a building opposite the railway station and was under the charge of Dr. Seshadri – in their spare time, Seshagiri and Vaithyanathan, (sons of TNRadhakrishnan), helped the doctor by volunteering themselves as compounders, and dispensed medicines according to the doctor’s prescriptions.

Adjacent to the clinic, and separated by a small stretch of rice field was another bungalow – known as Subbarao’s bungalow, a Swiss chalet type one, with lot of greenery, a beautifully flowering bougainvillea, crotons, other flowering plants and mango trees – Subbarao a retired businessman/contractor occupied this place for a longtime.

And it was here the YOUNG MEN’S ASSOCIATION flourished with most railway employees, villagers, and other office going people as members, doing their little bit of social work in the villages nearby. During the holiday season members from the YMA used to visit some far off villages, to propagate health habits, and clean living, and having a lantern show on diseases, how to prevent them, and treat them.. Sundaresan an advocate from Mall Street in Tiruchi was the president of the association at that time; and they used to stage a drama titled ‘Just a Peg’ to portray the evils of drinking, and the need for Prohibition. Apart from Ramanathan, Radha and others from Tiruchendurai village, a lot of youngsters from nearby Ammangudi, Andanallur, Karuppur and Kulumani, participated in the activities of the Young Mens Association – to mention a few, N.S. Sambasivan and Swaminathan, S. Ramaratnam, V.Ramasrinivasan, V.S.Krishnamurthy, Padmanabhan, Seppu Venkattu, A.E.S. Mani et al.



The first ever St.John's Ambulance Brigade out of Madras and in the south was established in the 1940s by the Nagarajan, Radhakrishnan brothers. Most village lads from Tiruchendurai, Ammangudi and Andanallur as also nearby villages became members of thebrigade.
S.Venkataraman, Dr.K.R.seshadri, T.S.Radhakrishnan, Dr.R.Kalamegham, Krishnaraj and V. Ramachandran were the officers. If you look closely you may find a dear one in this lot -photo courtesy T.V.Ganesan


The youngsters of the village were very active during the national movement days, having their own association, preaching nationalism amongst our own and adjacent villages. Whenever there was a national meet, or Exhibitions to propagate the national spirit, there were willing volunteers.. Later, village youngsters formed the ‘Balar Sangam’ in 1940, the forerunner of the ‘Ever Friends Association’ Balar Sangam was publishing a manuscript magazine, covering the village and national activities – introduced the villagers to Ananda Vikatan, Kalaimagal, Prachanda Vikatan and Kalki. It staged dramas at the Perumal Koil front, and its magnum opus was ‘Bhakta Ramadas’. This troupe went to other villages to stage this drama, it was that popular. When the drama was being staged in Kulumani, in an improvised stage at a Rice Mill, Ramadas was shocked to find some sixty legs dangling from the ceiling (uthiram) of the Mill – these belonged to the audience who could not get sitting accommodation in the theatre !! T.K.Krishnaswamy was the group’s director and makeup artist.



Tiruchendurai and nearby Kodiyalam involved themselves in a big way in the national movement. under the leadership of Kodiyalam Vasudevan a volunteer force served any national event, exhibition, etc. Radhakrishnan and Vasudevan are seen in the picture. Kodiyalam K.S.Gopalakrishnan was another leader in this movement.

While Tiruchendurai village can boast of their ‘Sahasranamam’ meets every evening at the Perumal Koil, V.S.Krishnamurthy resident of Ammangudi started a ‘Thiruppugazh Club’ and this Club used to assemble at the Vadatheerthanathaswami Koil of Andanallur in the evenings, and sang Thiruppugazh songs. Youngsters from our village participated in these recitals.

Not many of the present villagers may know that there used to be a ‘Sandhai’ – a Market – What the present day generation calls ‘one stop shop for all your needs’ – it was indeed that and more – it was a Shop at your doorstep – Held every Wednesday in the vacant area behind the rows of the houses and parallel to the Tiruchi-Karur road it was an attraction and the meet helped all the villagers buy their needs for the week from the sandai regularly.

The binding events of the village,you will see from above, are mostly the temple festivals – starting from ‘Arudra Darshan’ in January, followed by ‘Maha Sivarathri’ in March. On the occasion of the Arudra Darshan, the ‘utsavamurthy’ will go around the village blessing the residents. (It is gratifying to note that this festival has been revived since 2004, thanks to the efforts of the villagers led by V. Srinivasan, a grandson of T.V.Subbaraman, and resident of Chennai. Looking at a picture of the procession, one feels Lord Nataraja has been orphaned, as barring the deity carriers, the street is empty!)

It is Jeeyapuram’s pride that Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam visits this village every year in the month of Panguni, and the village will be in a great festive mood on this day.. Mukkur in his book ‘Kurai Ondrum Illai’ has highlighted this festival, and ‘agathi keerai’ the offering to the Lord Ranganatha.

And there used to be a ‘Kaman Pandigai’ coinciding with the Holy Festival in the North, when Kathan and his group used to entertain the villagers with the folklore and dance.. Not to mention the thappattam and paraiattam of the village folks. During the formative days of All India Radio, Tiruchi, in 1939 the Young Mens Association presented a Folk Dance and Performance of the villagers, under the leadership of N.S. Sambasivan. The village promoted without discrimination all festive events.

Apart from the Temple festivals, there are the annual Bhajan events, the Sita Kalyanam and the Radha Kalyanam, and these have been kept remarkably alive by the youngsters of the village resident and alien. There used to be a Kolattam Jathra of the village belles, but this artful event appears to have vanished !

Reading through, you would have found out that that the very life of the village had centred around the temple festivals, and bhajans, and one is happy to learn that this tradition twinkles still because of the following elders and youngsters:
The Seniors: T.K. Balasubramanian, T.K. Nagarajan, T.K. Murali, T.V. Venkatesan, T. V. Ramakrishnan, T.M. Srinivasan, and T. M. Thiagarajan (all from the Dikshidar family) – T.V. Muthukrishnan, (leader), T.V. Ramamurthy, T.R. Subramanian, Chandrasekaran, R. Adiseshan, T.S. Venkataraman, T.V. Ganesan, Padmanabha Iyer, Ramadas Iyer, D.V.Narayan et al.

The youngsters: M. Balasubramanian (son of TVM), T.R. Venu, T.R. Seenu, T.R. Balu, Jambu, J. Murali, J. Suresh, J. Balu, Srinivasan (Vasu), and P.R. Srinivasan… A prayer and a request – keep the tradition – keep the flag of Tiruchendurai flying high and bright!!---

Just as I am going to post I heard the good news, that the Government High school in Tiruchendurai, the educational institution that had nourished you, me and all others to come up in this world, created a record for successful candidates this year and one with the top score of 481 out of 500 under the leadership of its present head of institution Mrs. Padmavathi..
Congratulations !!

I am grateful to T.M.Srinivasan, V.Srinivasan, N.S.Jayaraman, T.R.Gurumurthy, K.Ganesh, Ramanujam, Mohan, Venkattu, Rajam, R.Sridharan, Ramamurthy and Chandru for their assistance/photographs and contribution in preparing this article

- Sethuraman



The Venugopalaswamy Temple in the Agraharam adjacent to the Judge’s house. The Nandavanam (flower garden is located between the temple, and the house. The Vilva maram appears to be there, but not the Thangarali tree under which we used to play handball (village version of the base ball!)

Note: Click on the photos to enlarge.

P.S: With this entry, "An insight into the people of Thiruchendurai (of 1940)" by Mr.Sethuraman ends. More interesting articles are in the offing, keep visiting.

Part III An insight into the people of Thiruchendurai (of 1940) - By Sethuraman

Just as Tiruchendurai Vaidyanatha Iyer and members of his family brought fame to the village by their professional eminence as Judges, Advocates, Administrative Officers and Engineers, another family which contributed to the growth, popularity, and religious upbringing of the villagers was that of the illustrious Dikshidhars of the Keela Theru. According to T.M.Srinivasan, himself a grandson of this great family, the three eldest members were Venkataramana Dikshidhar, Narayana Dikshidhar, and Ayya Dikshidhar.

(Venkataramana Dikshidhar, one of the triumvirate, and doyen of the Dikshidhar families. His contribution to the village is immeasurable. Photo courtesy – T.R.Gurumurthy, Chennai)

(Akhilanda Narayana Dikshidhar (also known as Ayya Dikshidhar), one of the Dikshidhar triumvirate. An erudite Sanskrit scholar - Photo courtesy – Mr. R. Sridharan – Advocate - Dindigul)

Venkataramana’s family consisted of six daughters and four sons. Two of the daughters and their children were very much involved in affairs of the village – Chella, whose son T.N.Ramamurthy of Trichy, was a regular visitor to the village during the Bhajanotsavams, particularly Sita Kalyanam – when he donned the role of a Sakhi in the Bavvalimpu, with T.M.Krishnaswamy mostly, as his partner. Ramamurthy was well known for his Marathi ‘abhangs’ .. (see post on Sita Kalyanam for their roles).

The other daughter was Sambhu, and her sons were the popular Krishnaswamy and Vaidyanathan brothers (Kitta and Vaitha), whose progenies have a cent per cent involvement in the bhajan activities even today. The four sons of Venkataramana were Swami, an ardent participant in the village activities including the bhajans,T.V.Subramanian (Suppa Mama), T.V.Krishnaswamy (Pichamama), a teacher by profession) and T.V. Ramamurthy. Venkataramana took ‘sanyasam’ in his old age and his ‘samadhi’ is located in front of the Chandrasekaraswamy Temle, well visible from the road side. The Samadhi is maintained by one of his great grandsons, T.S. Venkataraman.

(Venkataramana Dikshidhar’s Samadhi in front of the Chandrasekaraswamy temple and by the roadside –the photo taken long before the Kumbabishegam - the visitor is T.V.Ramamurthy son of T.R.Venkataramaiyer – photo courtesy – TV Ramamurthy)

And the first house in this part of Keela Theru, adjacent to the Lane, is said to have belonged to Ayya Dikshidar, one of the three Dikishidhar brothers, and later passed into the hands of others. Ayya Dikshidhar was a Sanskrit Scholar, and his sons T.A.Subramanian and T.A. Ramachandran went into the legal profession, the former practicing at Palani and the latter at Dindigul.

It is in this house the Manavasi Family resided for a long time -- K. Venkatasubba Iyer and Lakshmi a very quiet, unassuming couple – their eldest son Srinivasan died young, and the second son Ramani settled in Pudukottai starting a music school there. Ramani used to participate in the village festivities including the bhajans. Krishnamurthy their other son, after education here, moved to Vridhachalam, and the youngest Chandrasekaran continued to remain in the village for some years. Prior to the Manavasi family, Subbaiyer of the Postal Department , father of T.S.Kuppuswamy (affectionately known as Kuppa Bhattar) who gave regular attendance to the Bhajans , for nearly sixty years without a break, till his death few years ago. TSK and his family settled in Manali near Madras, and he was a regular visitor to the village.

The next was a fairly big house, then called Kannambadi House, originally belonging to T.V. Venkataraman, brother of Judge Seshagiri.. This house was occupied by Dr.K.M. Meenakshisundaram, a physician, of Kulumani in the south, practicing in our village. Dr. KMM apart from his role as a physician took keen interest in the village affairs, and the bhajans as long as he was resident in the village. His family consisted of Ambalmami, Babu, Sankaran and Angachi who interacted with the villagers in a great way. Sankaran left the village to join the Air Force in the forties, and later the family itself moved out of the village. The Doctor was a pious, kindly person, and the villagers well remember his person with the ‘spatikamani malai’ and silver ‘vetrilaipetti’.

After the doctor’s family moved out, for a short while a Madhwa family resided in this house – the tall, sturdy Rangavittal, a sportsmanlike figure and after this Kannambadi Subramania Iyer himself moved into the place.

And we move into another Dikshidhar family house next, a twin house as was common in the village – the western part of which belonged to Sita, the only daughter of Narayana Dikshidhar. Sita had two sons Seshagiri and Muthukrishnan. Seshagiri went into medicine, and was practicing in Kattuputhur. Muthukrishnan remained in the village, looked after the family interests , children’s education, and agriculture.

Seshagiri’s son Krishnamurthy was a great exponent of the bhajan sampradhaya – he moved out to Chennai where he was working in the Government, but was a regular visitor to the village on festive occasions. Krishnamurthy was known as ‘Gurudasan” and the following introductory note in one of his many publications highlights his eminence in the field.

Bhagvatha Ratnam, Gurudasan T.S. Krishnamurthy – born 29 Nov 1928 – parents Dr. T. V. Seshagiri Shastri and Seethalakshmi -- graduated B.Sc. 1948 – employed Tamil Nadu Government Public Works – soil research, gold medalist 1976.

Disciple of Triplicane Panduranga Bhajana Mandali T.V.Narayana Sastri introduced hundreds to the Nama Sankeerthanam – titles ‘Bhagavatha Ratnam’, Bhaagavatha Choodamani, Bhagavatha Sironmani but prefers to be called Gurudasan.

Gurudasan T.S.,Krishnamurthy,( a popular exponent of Bhajana Sampradaya and Divyanama Sankeerthanam,and an invaluable gift from the dikshidhar family) and his disciples during a Pada Pooja.(photo courtesy - Ganesan, and Ramanujam of the Panduranga Bhajan Mandali, Madras.

(Bhagavatha Rathna Gurudasan T.S.Krishnamurthy from the Dikshidhar family of Tiruchendurai. Photo courtesy-N.S.jayaraman, chennai)

Krishnamurthy’s family resides in Chennai these days. His brothers do participate in the Sita Kalyanam festival.

Muthukrishnan resided in the house for many years, till he breathed his last; he was an active participant in the village activities. His two sons, Srinivasan (popularly known as TMS) and Thiagarajan resided in the village between 1953 and 2002. Srinivasan, a teacher by profession, the Headmaster of the E.R.Higher Secondary School, after retirement, now resides at Tiruvanaikoil but is a frequent visitor to the village and an active participant as all the other Dikshidhar family members. Thiagarajan, also a teacher by profession, is as keen as his brother is, and was a member of the youth brigade of the sixties (see photograph in Part I). TMT, as he is known is also a qualified Cricket Umpire, and has participated in the matches of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. It will be interesting to know that for more than a century this family has been the donor (mandaga padidharar) for the ‘Anchaneya Utsavam’ the eleventh day festivity of the Sita Kalyanam.

Now we go to the eastern part of this twin house, where stayed the brothers T.V.Subramaniam, T.V. Krishnaswamy and T.V.Ramamurthy, all sons of Venkataramana Dikshidhar. TVS bought the plot adjacent to the perumal koil, and moved in there while TVK and TVR continued in this house. TVK another teacher in the family, and TVR did participate in village activities to the extent they could.

House opposite, a tiny one, was that of Swami Dikshidhar, eldest son of Venkataramana Dikshidhar, who lived with his wife Bhagi.. Swami was a very quiet type and engaged himself in all religious activities of the village – be it a festival of the Perumal Koil, or Siva Temple, regular Ekadasi bhajans and other divine marriage festivals e.g. Sita kalyanam and Radha Kalyanam. His grandson T.S. Venkataraman is now a resident of the village, and has truly taken after his grandfather in involving and interacting with the villagers in all the activities.

Back to the northern row, to the house of K. Ramachandran, known as Pichumama, a staunch congressite, always known to wear khaddar, president of the Panchayat Board etc. etc. The village consisted mostly of vadama families, except the three families in this part of the village, who belonged to the ‘vathimas’.

KR’s house was very spacious, with a big hall, and an ‘oonjal’ - and the kindly hosts Gnanambal Patti and Kamalam Mami took great care of visitors to the house - there will always be something for one to munch – some homemade tidbits, or the tiny banana fruits grown in their own backyard garden. KR took part in a great way in the village affairs, and his son Venkataraman and family continue to live in his house, and give staunch support to the village. KR was one of the bold warriors, and it is said, when there was a problem with the farmers, KR and children went into the field and worked themselves the whole day – that is a true agriculturist.

Sathabishekam of K.Ramachandran -- In the picture are, Mama, Mami, Venkattu, and R.Ramakrishnan. KR was the president of the Panchayat Board, Trustee of the Temples, and a philanthropist. His contribution to the welfare of the village is commendable. RRamakrishnan was the erstwhile owner of Judge TVS's house presently with TVChandru. He has helped many people from the village to get a job and settle down in Madras. -- photo courtesy - T.R.Venkataraman)

Police Narayana Iyer owned the house next – he was the guru in the Bhajana sampradaya for many youngsters – a very kindly, noninterfering person . Narayana Iyer involved himself in the bhajan activities for many decades, taught and guided willing youngsters into tradition. His rendering of the Ashtapathis and Tarangams was well known – and on the Sita Kalyanam night, well into the dawn of the next day – All of us used to sing that song from Rama Nataka Keertanai of Arunachala Kavirayar - just before the Deeparadhana – commencing ‘Rama Rama Rama Rama’ -- Tears will swell in ones eyes.

Narayanaiyer’s only daughter Kunju was given in marriage to Venkataraman popularly called “Mappillai” for his looks and style – Mama, Mami and Kunju passed away in due course; Venkataraman married a second time, continues to reside in the village involving himself even today in activities of the village..

Next is Munsif Duraiswamy Iyer’s house – his son Chandrasekaran resided in the village in his younger days, later moved over to Tiruchi where he practices as an Advocate . Chandru was a keen participant in all activities including the youngsters’ association and other cultural events.

Mill Narayana Iyer owned the house next – since his business interests and sons were in Trichy, did not very actively participate in the village affairs, as most of the time he would be away in Trichy. Later on the Panchayat office was located in this house.

Twin Houses next belonged to T.M.Krishnaswamy and T.M. Vaidyanathan of the Dikshidar family, grandsons of Venkataramana Dikshidar, and sons of Muthuswamy and Sambu. TMK was a Teacher and the TMV a Railway employee.. Both devoted themselves to the Bhajan activities of the village in every respect till their demise. TMV had a melodious voice, and one song that we loved most was his ‘Pakkala Nila pati’ sung at the Bhajan soon after the ‘deeparadhana’ – learn, this divine gift has now been showered on a granddaughter of TMV, Sangeetha Swaminathan who is making a name for herself in the U.S.A.

As the village’s luck would have it, TMK’s sons Balasubramanian, Nagarajan, and Murali – and TMV’s sons Venkatesan and Ramakrishnan involve themselves in carrying on the tradition, in a big way in the Sita Kalyanam – which is a binding event that makes all those who had gone out of the village to gather in the village those ten days. The only other place such a bond still exists will be Melattur near Tanjore where all present and past residents of the village gather during the months of May/June for the famous ‘Bhagvatha Mela’ when the Prahlada Charithram is enacted in all its glory! Balu also followed his father’s footsteps in becoming a Teacher.

And the last house in this row, belonged to Kuppuswamy Iyer – whose son Ramanathan was very active in his younger days.. he left the village for work in Bangalore. Ramanathan and Mani used to coach youngsters of the village for examinations and these coaching classes were conducted in the terrace of the house, now in possession of Dr. Sundaram.

Justice T.V.Seshagiri Iyer

(Justice T.V.Seshagiri Iyer and others – photo taken in the 1920s. Muthukrishna Iyer is standing to the right of TVS. – Photo courtesy Mohan V.M.Ramalingam, Chennai



Judge T.V.Seshagiri Iyer’s house in all its glory. Huge compound, the spiral staircase, the balcony and its beautiful columns, the French ornamental grill – it is the village’s pride. R.Ramakrishnan bought it from the TVS family, and then sold it to T.V.Chandrasekaran. (photo courtesy – T.V.Chandraselaran)

Part II An insight into the people of Thiruchendurai (of 1940) - By Sethuraman

The Keela Theru commences with Srirangam House of T.V. Srinivasan, who worked as a Cashier in the Sri Ranganathaswamy Devasthanam, in Srirangam in the twenties.. The house was built in the thirties, and TVS family moved soon after.

The children of this family moved out of the village, though still keeping the house in their fold. Subramaniam the eldest, was at Meerut in the Military Accounts, the second son Nagarajan went over to Burma, to join the Police Supplies Department, Venkataraman the third after his graduation joined the Revenue Department of the local government. Radhakrishnan was employed the South Indian Railway Co., took a very active interest in the affairs of the village, was the Secretary of the Young Men’s Association, and the St. Johns Ambulance Brigade, Jiyapuram Division. Radhakrishnan was well known for his quick wit and punch line dialogues...

House next was that of Nagammal, whose sons Venkattu (a well versed Ganapatigal), Vaidyanathan (Postal Department) Bhoora Krishnamurthy, Sitaraman, and Jambunathan and their smart sister Kunjamma .. .. Bhoora and Seenu (grandson of Natesa Iyer and son of Radhakrishnan) were great in their ‘double-dutch’ language and used to thrill everyone with their conversation. If they said ‘lakai’ it is to be read as ‘kalai’ but one was amazed at the speed they talked to each other.

T.N.Subbarayan (son of Natesa Iyer) bought this house in the sixties. They did some reconstruction and made the premises more attractive – Kalyanam and his siblings lived in this house. A tragedy happened in that Sekhar younger brother of Kalyanam drowned in the river Cauvery at a very young age. A promising youngster plucked as a bud. And this was not the first tragedy either, as in the thirties, Subbarayan lost his wife who drowned in the river Cauvery. TNS married a second time and the bride was Sankari, daughter of V.G.Subbaier, and sister of Dr.S.Ganapathisundaram.

T.V. Muthukrishnan a nephew of Judge Seshagiri Iyer owns the house next; he must have been a resident of the village in his younger days but not in the thirties/forties. TVM and family used to visit the village, when the court at Madras closed for the vacation, and participated in the village functions to the extent he could. He was a leading advocate at Chennai, resident of Pammal House in Purasawalkam, an active Freemason, and was the Grand Master of the Masonic Movement in the South.. His sons are T.M.S. Mani (the first I.C.S. from the village) who last held the post of Chairman of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation, T.M.S. Giri (a civil engineer) and T.M.Seethapathy (a Colonel in the Army Medical Corps). Dr. M.K.Mani, grandson of TVM is a famous nephrologist, now attached to the Apollo Hospitals at Chennai. His articles in the Hindu on ‘organs donation’ has convinced many citizens to join the group of donors.

It is in this house R.Rajagopalan (Retired District and Sessions Judge) and family resided for a few years during the forties after his retirement.; Visu and his cousin Gopalan stayed here, and another tragedy occurred during this period, when young Visu’s precious life was taken by the River Cauvery when he drowned in it. Visu was exceptionally brilliant and was in his prime when this tragedy occurred. It was a shock to the whole village.

Next to TVM’s house were two tiny places, belonging to Ramanathan (affectionately called Eli) and Ayya Ayyar (different from the Munsif Ayya Ayyar of the 1924 floods). Ramanathan took very active part in the Bhajans conducted in the Perumal Koil – come Sita Kalyanam, and it is from this house, the ‘seer varisai’ for the kalyanam, will be taken out in a procession by the village ladies to the nearby Perumal Koil. During the Divyanama Sankeertanam Ramanathan used to perform a snake dance for the song ‘Adu Pambe” (Pambatti chithar) and for the snake he will use the ‘uddharani’ (spoon) of the pancha patra kept for the pooja. And he conducted the poojas to the Utsava portraits always. Ramanathan’s daughters also moved out of the village, after marriage.
On the other side lived Ayya Ayyar (also called Ayya thatha) His children and grand children Karnam Vaidyanathan, Annamuthu and Ramaratnam lived here then.. Ramarathnam moved to Mandya in Karnataka to set up business .. Ambi from this house used to be active in the Ever Friends Association, the offshoot of Balar Sangam of the forties, and the Baktha Sabha.

Then comes the fairly big house of Rao Saheb Natesa Iyer of Military Accounts Service, and Lakshmi Ammal.---. Radhakrishnan, Subbarayan, Kamalam and Pichai were their children. Radhakrishnan married Madhuram, Subbarayan married Sankari (a second marriage, as the first spouse passed away), Kamalam married N.R.Sharma of Thogur, a senior Railway official of the North Eastern Railways at Moghulsarai, and Pichai married Umamaheswaran (Pichumani) of Karuppur a Congressite turned radical.. The house is now being occupied by Sharma’s second son, Venkataraman’s family. Venkataraman took a law degree, and became the Labour Officer of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation..

The house opposite is that of Radhakrishnan, and to the west was that of Headmaster D.V.Sharma.. Radhakrishnan’s sons and daughters also moved out of the village in the course of time, Seenu to pune, Sechu to Madras. Sechu was very active at Chennai and was working at the Cork Industries. Vaitha who joined the Regional Transport Authority spent some time in Madras, is back in the south now, but stays in Srirangam. The daughters Ambulu, Kalyani and Jayalakshmi also moved to their spouse’s locations after marriage.


The house on the east of Radhakrishnan’s belonged to Appanna Sastrigal, a vedic and Sanskrit scholar. His son Sundaram was in charge of the post office.. Santanagopalan the second son, a Sanskrit Scholar of repute, and recipient of awards from the Sankaracharya of Kanchi, moved out of the village to be with his children in Chennai ; Narayan the thired son joined the government services and now resides near Chingleput. Ammalam and Savithri the two daughters of this family, moved out of the village after their marriages.

Back to the north side now, to the house adjacent to that of Natesa Iyer – this must have also been one of the twin houses as I remember, for the marriage of Jayam, daughter of Sharma, the interconnecting wall was broken and a temporary link between the houses was made so the wedding could be in Natesa Iyer’s house, and other functions including lunch/dinner etc. were held in the latter. After some years, this house was purchased by Dr. Seshadri, and his family moved here from the ‘Periyaam’ Dr. Seshadri had married a second time, in the meantime, and moved here with new bride Sulochana, This family’s contribution to the growth and welfare of the village was admirable. Ranga after graduation joined the Geological Survey of India, and after placements in different towns and on retirement, is back in the South, staying at Tennur, Tiruchi.

Gopalan who graduated in medicine, started helping out father in the village, later established a clinic in nearby Pettaivathalai.. Gopalan’s wife Santha, son Mukundan and daughter are also doctors – after Gopalan’s demise, Santha and Mukundan are running the clinic.

Sundaram, son of Dr. Seshadri through second spouse Sulochana, also graduated in medicine, and after training under his father is now independently practicing at the village itself.. Sundaram married Jayashri of the well known Kizhanatham family of the Padmanabhans. (Sundaram will perhaps be the only Doctor who got a US visitor visa, without even appearing at the American Consulate in Madras, when he flew to the US along with wife Jayashri for his honeymoon.)

House next to that belonged to the Mudalipatti family, the place even then was in a dilapidated condition.. Ramaratnam, his wife and another family lived here. Ramaratnam was running a provision store near the railway station, and was an ardent participant in the bhajans – in addition he used to compose verses, and devotional poems on his own, and then sing them at the bhajan.
It is in this house, a Srividya Upasaka lady gave a music upanyasam and performed an all ladies bhajan – most of the village ladies participated in this musical event. Some of us young boys were also present on that occasion. It is around midnight Upasaka lady was possessed of divine spirit and informed the gathering that something sad was happening to one of the village girls and started praying for her. She would not disclose who it was and what the problem was. All that she could say was that the girl was in the clutches of death and all should pray for her life – and every one did tearfully. The group dispersed in the early hours of the next day, and later the village was learn that a lady of the village did indeed pass away that morning.

It was Jayalakshmi, daughter of N.R.Sharma and Kamalam, wife of D.Srinivasan residing at Tiruchi. It was known that she was bitten by a poisonous snake or similar reptile This is one of those irreconcilable facts … there were no phone communication facilities in the village then, why some houses were not even electrified -- Jayam was married to Srinivasan only in the previous year and this shook all residents of the village then.
Pulancheri Narayanan was residing in the next house, with his sons. Narayanan called Nanumama by the village boys was a very jovial type, and used to entertain the youngsters with a lot of stories, some true, some imaginary and some ribald!!.. he was a good singer too. Narayanan’s brother Radhakrishnan used to work for the Military in those days and an occasional visitor to the village – Narayanan’s sons Ramanathan and Kannappan took part in most activities of the village including the bhajans.

And in the next one resided K. Mahadevan of Karattampatti – whose sons Srinivasan, Ramachandran, and Muthukrishnan moved over to Calcutta for a livelihood as was the practice then – Venkataraman and Mani remained in the village along with their sisters Rajam and Jayam. Venkataraman married Brahajam of Tiruchi, and the family moved over to Madras in the fifties, as TMV secured a job with the Madras Advertising Company. His grandson, Sikkil Gurucharan is a very popular carnatic musician these days. TMV’s son Chandrasekaran a Medical Representative with May and Baker, a versatile sales person, and an actor, married into the Sikkil Sisters’ family and hence the tag-on for Gurucharan.. After nearly four decades or so I met Mani at the Sashtiabdapoorthy of K.V. Balasubramanian (younger brother of ’Kivaja’ and son-in-law of Venkatachalam Iyer neighbour of Madhumama) The Calcutta connections of the village still go on, and I learnt that Mani’s son is now working in Calcutta.
Rajam married Jayaraman a ward of Sir R.S. Sarma of Calcutta who later moved to Madras to be in charge of the Madras Advertising Company of the Simpsons group.
Venkatachalam was the owner of the house next but was resident at Arundel Street, in Madras as he was working there.. for a long time this house was occupied by Sivaraman Teacher of the Elementary School at Tiruchendurai, and after retirement Venkatachalam family moved over to the village. Venkatachalam’s wife Thenaal was a niece of popular tamil writer Ki.Va.Jagannathan and it is because of this connection, we were able to bring Kivaja to our village in the fifties for a day when he visited the Chandrasekaraswami Temple, and composed a verse about the Goddess Mrugadarambika (Manenduvalli) - Kothandaraman, Mani, Thangam and Rajeswari are the children of thjs family and are well settled in Madurai and Madras.
The vacant plot next belonged to Narayana Iyer, popularly known as Mavumill Narayanan – the plot was used to grow Greens of different types for a very long time. (to be continued in the third part)