Vidvan Aashukavi Sriman U.Ve.Meyyur Narasimhachari – an interview by Dr.Sreeram Jaganathan

Sriman U.Ve. Meyyur Narasimhachari

The karma of some of us is linked and that is why we are attracted to some people without a reason even. Otherwise how, myself, a reserved face to strangers would have been attracted to the 86 years old Sriman Meyyur Narasimhachari, the elderly Srivaishnava who goes about his daily visit to the Sri Vedanta Desika Devasthanam, Mylapore in a very quiet manner? The attraction was mutual, I should say. Once my Guru and mentor Dr.S.Padmanabhan introduced us to each other. From then on the hoarse or gravelly voiced would stop and enquire ‘Enna Sreeraman! Sowkyama irukkera?’. He would often handout a piece of paper that would contain some verses in Tamil neatly handwritten and photocopied. The verses would be on Lord Srinivasa or Swami Vedanta Desikan or other acharyas. I would wonder how many would even read them in full, forget about appreciating it. Ofcourse I would run through it quickly and pass on my acknowledgement and appreciation to the blessed poet – He began writing only after retirement with the grace of Lord Hayagreeva – in his own words.

The blessed dampati

The dampati, should have been married for atleast 65 years) are an excellent example of how a married couple should live, especially to the younger couples of modern times who find it a challenge to get along even quite early. Listen to the words of Smt. Vijayalakshmi at the end of the audio file (given at the end of this article) wherein she speaks proudly about her understanding husband! (Her voice is a bit feeble though)

When I was waiting in the hall of the typical agrahara house with a mittham etc the attention of my eyes was grabbed by this picture of Padmavathi Thayar. I assumed it was a photograph and moved on to the next object. Only when the Swami said that it was his painting that was done some 50 years ago I was amazed! Narayana! can this be a painting? I assumed it was a photograph! What a talent! He has painted Swami Desikan also! (see below)

Sometimes when Emberuman chooses to bestow his grace on someone he does not limit it at all. Please see the art work that he has done in soap pieces that we would use to only take bath! As typical of him he has gifted them all but these three – matsya, kurma and a bhanjika. He is so unassuming and casual about his talents! Once in his office days his piece of ingenuity won him the first place in an art exhibition! Alas! those were the days sans technology! Else we could have saved so many things for posterity!

Swami Desikan reincarnated in archa form with the wonderful fingers of this Swami, keeps blessing him daily!

This Swami has composed about 300 poems in Sanskrit in different vrttas, around 3500 verses in Tamil, about 120 songs in Tamil that can be set to music (some of them have been set to music and performed in the past). He has completed the grantha-chatushtaya kalakshepam (all after retirement).

Swami seeing me off after the interview














Having so many compositions in his forte he is a gifted sishya who has been extolled by his Acharya, who is no ordinary scholar, but mahamahopadhyaya, mahavidvan Perukaranai Chakravarti Swami in his forewords to Swami’s books ‘Thirumayilaith Thirumal Shathakam’ (100 pasurams) and ‘Thiruvinnagar Pamalai’ (273 pasurams).

H.H.Poundareekapuram Anadavan has also rendered his srimukham to the latter book. He has published his carnatic compositions in two parts under the title ‘Gaanasudharnavam’. He has composed 3000 pasurams about various divyadesa perumals. He recited some of his pasurams with his childlike enthusiasm for the delight of the listeners.

‘khyatilaabhapoojaasu vimukho vaishnava janah’ – It would not be an exaggeration to praise this bhagavatottama with the above words! He has been writing so much without an eye on any recognition! He continues to write still, photocopy it and shares it with like minded bhagavatas! Adiyen could only express a wish that adiyen would arrange through someone to have all his compositions typed atleast to present them through a blog or website!! I wish someone takes up this contemporary poet’s compositions for some research work!

Swami is being honoured before the interview

The link to the audio file of the interview is https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZwCUW-Z6EYKQTX_pPLJPuTCId4PJg2L

It is really high time this Swami gets recognised for his contribution to Tamil and Sanskrit poetry.

Dasan

Sreeram.

Vidvan Sri.T.E.S.Raghavan – an interview by Dr.Sreeram Jaganathan

Vidvan Sri,T.E.S.Raghavan

The Editor paying his respect to Sri Raghavan Swami

Ever since adiyen took up the role of The Editor for the English Spiritual magazine Vainavan Kural, there was a desire to interview some of the Srivaishnavites who are rendering or have rendered service in the fields of Temple Kainkarya, Sampradaya, Academics etc.  Today (11-03-19) I had the opportunity to  visit Vidvan Sri.T.E.S.Raghavan, 89 years old, living at No.1, Hanumanta rayar koil Street, Triplicane, Chennai -5. His brother Sri.Narasihman and his daughter-in-law were present during the interview and they were kind enough to share some anecdotes and information about the author.

It was a very interesting experience to have met this nonagenarian (well almost) and I was amazed at his scholarship and energy.

Fecilitated by H.E.Sri Rosiah, ex-Governor of Tamilnadu

Sri Raghavan Swami with his brother Sri Narasimhan

The feeling about the absence of recognition and money in the careers of those who pursue literary aspirations was very much evident in the voice of the elderly Srivaishnavite. Art forms are hardly recognised and appreciated, and  literary art is the least appreciated and recognised form of all arts. As a writer myself, I can empathise with the elderly author.

Sri.Narasimhan, the author’s brother shared some interesting information about their ancestors and spoke very encouragingly about his elder brother. The audios of the interview, sharing of anecdotes are all shared below. The author needs to be recognised for his contribution to the Hindi Sahitya especially for his translation of the entire Thirukkural in to Hindi.

H.E.Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam’s letter of appreciation

He has written a doha each for all the 1330 Thirukkurals besides rendering their meanings in Hindi. H.E.Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam, ex-President of India has appreciated the author’s effort with his kind hand written words.

Sri Raghavan, who has translated some of the stotras of Sri Vedanta Desika in to Hindi (these have been published in the past by TTD in their journals), has also attempted to write some dohas on the Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavatam but due to his age, he has left them incomplete. Those who are interested to buy his book on Thirukkural can do so by contacting his daugter-in-law at 044-28442126.

recording of Interview with the author is as below

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1f0MszMZGaUh7FCOPV8BbIv641QbW-yQb

The author happily rendered a subhashita before the author left and its recording is

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PalMeH4nuJFSlgO4vhmIGQN5ZS4762Sp

recording of Sri Narasimhan talking about his brother

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1huvdLRu-0CI7G66FmvFF5x7LA6FUPT7I

recording of Sri Narasimhan talking about his grandfather

https://drive.google.com/open?id=18Kz1Q0RleIbGzbp_e_xB-17M-9K1AC3Y

The excerpts from this interview will be published in the March edition of Vainavan kural – English version.

Dasan,

Sreeram.