Kanchipuram Brahmotsavam Prabhandham Ghosti Thathachar

The 'Brahmotsavam' Prabhandham dispute over the 'Dhaniyan' Rights

We are okay to Prabhandham Ghosti at the Brahmotsavam with or without both the Thenkalai and Vadakalai Dhaniyans – Sampath Kumar Thathachar 

Following the story that featured last week wherein Thenkalai Prabhandham leader MA Venkatakrishnan of Thiruvallikeni (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/05/kanchi-varadar-brahmotsavam-mav.html) had suggested for a compromise solution led by two independent credible leaders (he was okay to not being part of that compromise discussion) from the two Sects, this writer had a long conversation with TK Sampath Kumar, a descendant of the Thathachariar clan at the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kanchipuram. His appa Kannan Thathachariar (in the photo below) has been part of the Veda Parayanam for several decades.

Sampath told this writer that the Vadakalayars of Kanchipuram are okay to being in the Prabhandham Ghosti from the third or fourth row as per the court order of May 17, 2022, a copy of which (7 page order) is available with this writer. Following the appeal by the Thenkalayars, this order has been kept in abeyance.

He said that as per that court direction, the Vadakalayars are okay to reciting the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham with the dhaniyans of both the Sects with Thenkalayars leading the Ghosti from the front two or three rows and reciting first the Thenkalai Dhaniyan. 

As an alternate option and as a compromise solution, the Vadakalayars, he said, are also okay to recite the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham without the dhaniyans of both the sects and to try this out during the Brahmotsavam. The court had pointed out that a majority of the Saint Poets did not belong to either of the ‘Kalais’ and that it was important to go ahead with the presentation of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham during the Brahmotsavam.

But Sampath is clear that with both the Sects in the Ghosti, the Dhaniyan cannot be just the Thenkalai Thaniyan.

He said that the Prabhandham Ghosti during the Brahmotsavam could take place only if both the Dhaniyans are recited or if both the Dhaniyans are done away with as part of a compromise solution and just the Prabhandham verses are recited.

On the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham, it seems that both sides are okay to Thenkalai leading the Ghosti from the front row and Vadakalai being from the third or fourth row, but the issue relates to the Dhaniyan with Thenkalayars claiming sole right to the presentation of the Dhaniyan and Vadakalayars wanting to recite their acharya’s Dhaniyan or doing away with both the Dhaniyans.

                               Kannan Thathachariar

Veda Parayanam

As regards the Veda Parayanam, he said that the Thathachars are the sole right holders of the Vedic Recital and the question does not arise of the Thenkalayars being part of that. He said that even as part of the compromise solution, the Thenkalayars cannot be part of the Veda Parayanam as it is the sole rights of a family and not even one of the (Vadakalai) Sect.

Desikar Prabhandham

On the issue relating to the recital of Desikar Prabhandham, he said at least during the birthday celebrations of Vedantha Desikar in Puratasi, the Desikar Prabhandham will have to be recited, especially if Upadesa Ratna Maalai is recited by the Thenkalayars during the Manavala Maamani Utsavam.

He said that this (Kanchipuram) is the birth place of Vedantha Desikar and he has presented verses in praise of Varadaraja Perumal and hence his Prabhandham will have to be recited here on the occasion of Desikar Utsavam.

Thennachariars' view

TAP Srirangachari, Secretary, Perumal Koil Thennacharya Sabha Kanchi told this writer late on Monday evening that the Thengalayars of Kanchi have been doing this service from time immemorial without any interruption till 2018 and that they are the right holders with respect to the Divya Prabhandham service and that the Vadagalayar Thathachariars are doing Veda Parayanam service. But nowhere the mirasu is attached to the Thathachariar family even according to court judgements.

"During the last Vaikasi festival, the temple EO issued orders as per previous High Court judgements and according to custom and usage. He said that the Vadagalayars should follow the Thengalayars and abide by their mode of worship  and join as ordinary worshippers. But the Vadagalai went on appeal against the EOs order and the Division Bench has kept the order in abeyance in which EO states categorically how both Vedam and Divya Prabhandham services should be carried out. When that order is kept in abeyance,it is applicable to both the services." 

But the temple allows Vedam and does not provide the opportunity to the Thengalayars for performing Divya Prabandham service without any interference by the Vadagalayars as per the court judgement. This is the present position.

Srirangachari said that the Vadagalai Thathachar claims that the Vedam service is their family right and  other Vadagalais can take part but at the same time he is not prepared to give in a bit by allowing Thengalayars in the Veda Ghosti for which Thengalayars had got three High Court bench orders in their favour (that the Thengalayars can join the Veda Goshti as ordinary worshippers just as the Vadagalais are allowed to join the Divya Prabhandham Gosti as ordinary worshippers).

Only if good sense prevail upon the persons to honour the judgements and age old customs, the services can be performed peacefully says the Secretary of the Thennacharya Sabha, Kanchi.

Will things turn for the better this fortnight

It is now exactly a fortnight to go for the commencement of this year’s Vaikasi Brahmotsavam with the Grand Garuda Sevai on the morning of Friday June 2. 

Last year, following the court order referred above, the Prabhandham Ghosti compromising of both Thenkalayars and Vadakalayars, presented for a few days before the dispute led to the suspension even before the conclusion of the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam. And has not taken place since.

It is hoped that the ‘Dhaniyan’ dispute can be sorted out among the two sects this fortnight so the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham Ghosti can take  place during this Brahmotsavam.