Thenthiruperai Ananthu Bhattar

In Silent Service of Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathan

He joined the Nava Tirupathi Divya Desam in Puratasi 1999 at a monthly salary of Rs. 200. 22 years later, he gets Rs. 950 with his salary having remained static at this level for 16years

As known to the regulars at the Nava Tirupathi temples, Ananthu Bhattar has not raised the issue of his financial challenges with the HR & CE, TVS’ Chairman Venu Srinivasan or with any devotee in the last two decades

Hailing from the Tiruvoimozhi Pillai clan, 47 year old Thiru Venkatam (Ananthu) Bhattar is acknowledged widely across the Nava Tirupathi Divya Desam as the most sincere and devotionally committed priest in that region. After 22 years of archaka service at this renowned Divya Desam, he still has not got an official posting with the HR &CE and his life as an archaka has been hanging in the balance for over two decades. Many service personnel have come after him in Nava Tirupathi at a much higher remuneration but this priest has remained a 'Silent Archaka' focusing on performing his duty and leaving the rest to Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathar.

வெள்ளைச் சூரி சங்கொடு ஆழி ஏந்தி 

தாமரைக்கு கண்ணன் என் நெஞ்சினூடே 

புன்னைக் காடாகின்ற ஆற்றைக் காணீர் 

என் சொல்லிச் சொல்லுகேன் அன்னைமீர்காள் 

வெள்ளச் சுகம் அவன் வீற்றிருந்த 

வேத ஒலியும் விழா ஒலியும் 

பிள்ளைக குழா விளையாட்டு ஒலியும் ஆறாத் 

திருப்பேரெயில் சேர்வான் நானே 

The Lord (Makara Nedun Kuzhai Kaathan) who is seen with a crown, conch and discus was so happy on hearing about the happy and playful state of the children that he asked Garuda to move to his left so he could watch their games. To this day, Garuda is seen away from the line of the Lord, a unique feature of this Divya Desam.

Well Versed in the Agamas

As a youngster, he had been initiated into the daily Thiru Aradhanam process by Periya Thiruvadi Bhattar of Srivaikuntam Divya Desam (Kallarpiran Temple). In the 1990s, he learned the Pancharatra Agama for four years from Varada Ramanujam, Retired Principal of Tirupathi Patshala. He came back from Tirupathi to his native Azhvaar Tirunagari and served as a Paricharaka for three months at Sri Vaikuntam Kallarpiran Divya Desam. 

Joins Thenthiruperai at Rs. 200!!!

He was to be appointed as the Archaka at Kallarpiran temple in Srivaikuntam when almost on the eve of his appointment, the archaka at Thenthiruperai quit and he was asked to take charge at Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathan Divya Desam on the first day of Puratasi in 1999 at a monthly salary of Rs. 200. 

He performed 15days archaka service at the Moolavar Sannidhi while for rest of the month, he performed Thiru Aradhanam at the Thaayar Sannidhi. In 2002, the other archaka (Raja Mannar Bhattar) at the temple quit and Ananthu Bhattar was left all alone to serve at the Divya Desam including taking care of all the utsavams through the year.

Salary remains static at 944 for 16years!!!

Six years after he joined Thenthiruperai, his monthly salary was increased to Rs. 950 in 2005. His wedding took place three years later in 2008 and he now has two school going daughters. However, for the last 16 years, the salary has remained static at that same level, quite unthinkable in any other service.

Margazhi in Thenthiruperai

Margazhi was a special month for the residents of Thenthiruperai. On each of the 10 first days of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam, the Lord would go to the Thayar Sannidhi in the South and a parvam (phase of life) of the Lord would be narrated as a tale through the pillai songs of Periyazhvaar.

On the 2nd set of 10 days, the Lord would go the Thayar Sannidhi in the North (Thiruperai Nachiyar).

Silent Service has been his way of life

As is known to anyone who has visited Nava Tirupathi, he has not raised a word on this issue in these two decades including to the TVS officials, who have been paying Sambhavanai to the service personnel of all the temples in the region. Unlike many priests of Divya Desams in the Chozha region, Ananthu Bhattar has also not pursued activities such as temple consecration events that would been a source for some additional income and has instead stuck to archaka service at the Divya Desam. In the two decades of his service, he has rarely gone outside the Nava Tirupathi Divya Desam either to support utsavams in other temples or even on personal visits to temples, such has been his devotional commitment to Lord Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathan. His long standing devotional dream has been to visit Badri Divya Desam but his life has been such that he has not been able to make time for his devotional endeavour. He is hoping that one day in his life he would be able to visit the historical Divya Desams including Naimisaranyam.

Over the last two decades, he has also performed Kainkaryam during utsavams in Vaitha Maa Nidhi Divya Desam in Thiru Kolur (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2008/09/thiru-kolur-vaitha-maa-nidhi-perumal.html) and at Periya Nambi (Periya Nambi Mannar Koil) and Koorathazhvaan Sannidhis in Azhvaar Tirunagari but each of these as a non financial service. His services are also sought at Thiru Venkatamudayan Sannidhi (a private temple run by Tiruvoimozhi Pillai clan) in Azhvaar Tirunagari where too he performs Kainkaryam without any financial returns.

TVS  presented him with a monthly Sambhavani of Rs. 2000 in 1999 which was increased to Rs. 3000 in 2007.

Anchoring the Big Utsavams

Over the last two decades, he has been the one who has anchored the annual Brahmotsavam as well as all the major Utsavams at the Thenthiruperai Divya Desam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/09/thenthiruperai-divya-desam.html). During the Brahmotsavam, since he is also the alankaram specialist, he has stayed back late into the night after the evening procession for the next morning’s vahana procession alankaram. It is known to most in this temple town that he does not return home in the nights to Azhvaar Tirunagari during the period of the Brahmotsavam.

Last decade, he had Krishnaswamy Bhattar (AK), who joined the Divya Desam after retirement from his corporate service, for support. In the last month or so, AK too has returned to Kanchipuram after facing health challenges during the Pandemic. In the last couple of years, he has been joined by the young Venkata Srinivasan (Rahul) Bhattar (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/10/thenthiruperai-rahul-bhattar.html), whom he has been mentoring at this Divya Desam. 

It is unlikely that a corporate staffer at any level would remain silent if his salary remained static for 16years and also if he did not receive a confirmation of his posting after two decades of every day service. But Ananthu Bhattar is one of a kind Bhattar. He has not raised the financial issue with the HR & CE, TVS’ Chairman Venu Srinivasan or with any devotee in the last two decades. He has accepted life’s offerings and performed archaka service as best as he could at this Divya Desam. 

Government Rules - For its workers

Those that have served a HR & CE temple for over 5 years have to get a confirmation and a Government posting as per the rules. Many EOs have come and gone in the last 22 years but not one has been able to get Ananthu Bhattar a confirmation of his job and he continues to serve almost as a temporary staffer without the Government staffer benefits. Whenever he gets (if he ever gets) the confirmation order as the official archaka of Thenthiruperai Divya Desam, one wonders if the 22 years (and more) of service will be taken into consideration for Pension and other benefits that accrue to a Government staffer for he has officially served at this Divya Desam since 1999.

Venu Srinivasan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2020/07/venu-srinivasan-historical-temples.html) has made many trips in the last two decades to the Nava Tirupathi temples and there have been several archakas and service personnel who have placed requests before him that have been acceded to but not once has Ananthu Bhattar brought his precarious financial situation before the man who restored the entire Nava Tirupathi Divya Desams in the second half of the 1990s. And thus it has largely remained unattended to.

Firm Faith in the Doctrine of Bhagavad Gita

This writer has known Ananthu Bhattar for over 20 years and during this long period he has rarely spoken about the financial challenges in his life or the issues at the Divya Desam. When he came back from his agama initiation in the late 1990s, he had an option to go to Thiru Mogur Kaalamegha Perumal Divya Desam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/07/thiru-mogur-kalamegha-perumal.html) where his cousins were performing service but decided to stick to his home town of Azhvaar Tirunagari and headed back to Nava Tirupathi soon after his agama initiation at Tirumala. When the opportunity came to perform archaka service at Thenthiruperai, he had no second thoughts even though it came at a monthly salary of Rs. 200!!! If ever there is to an example in TN Divya Desams of ‘Serving in Silence’, Ananthu Bhattar would fit that bill.  

Placing Utmost faith in Thenthiruperai Lord

His wife of the last 13years has been supportive playing a role of mental strength in the background. She too has placed her entire faith in Makara Nedung Kuzhai Kaathan. It has been a long wait for the archaka service confirmation order from the HR & CE and for several years he has lived in the hope that the coming year would be the one when he gets that order from the HR &CE. But that has remained elusive todate. As another calendar year turns around, Ananthu Bhattar lives to serve another year with that same hope. It’s likely that one day the Lord of Thenthiruperai Divya Desam will open his eyes and shower his ‘financial’ blessing on Ananthu Bhattar. Till then, he will continue to follow the doctrine prescribed by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita of ‘Do your work as sincerely as possible without expecting results’.

Ananthu Bhattar can be reached on 96889 51429/ 93605 53489

Kapali Temple Aruthra Utsavam

Saturday evening marked the First Big Street Procession in the city in 9months

On the eve of the Aruthra Utsavam, the Pancha Moorthy Procession on the four Mada Streets around the Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore delights devotees

This could pave the way for the resumption of street processions in other temples 

It’s just past 7pm on Saturday (Dec 18) evening. Othuvar Sathgurunathar, with Othuvar Vageesan by his side, is all set to present each of the verses of Manickavachakar’s Thiruvembavai on the third and concluding day of the Oonjal Utsavam in front of the Navarathri Mandapam at the Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple. 

It is a fairly sizeable crowd that has gathered either side of Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal to listen to Othuvar’s devotional presentation of Pon Oosal verses of Manickavachakar’s praise of Utharakosamangai, a Paadal Petra Sthalam near Ramanathapuram.

The First Big Street Procession in Madras since March

Over an hour later, it’s time for the Pancha Moorthy Procession on the eve of the Aruthra Utsavam at the Kapaleesawarar temple. Very few devotees are aware that this will be a procession around the four Mada Streets for the temple authorities had not let this news out. The permission from the Corporation had been secured by them and it is a very big moment for it is the first big Temple street procession in the city in nine months. Restrictions had been placed on street processions in the state since the breakout of the second wave of Covid 19.

The conches blow, the beating of the drums leads the procession and as is the norm these days, the cell phones rise high above the head to capture the deities. 

A Sacred Moment at the Raja Gopuram

The Deepa Aradhanai at the Raja Gopuram is a sacred moment and the hundred odd devotees who have gathered there are all excited as the Lord turned towards the 16 Pillar Mandapam. Since March this year, it had only been processions inside the temple. More devotees join in to watch the snake dance presentation by the Sri Patham in front of the Raja Gopuram. A devotee enquires as to why he had not been alerted earlier regarding the street procession.

The shop owners on the East Mada Street are all delighted to welcome Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal at their door step. Devotees who are shopping at the South Mada Street are quite surprised to see a procession of Lord and Ambal, for no one has been a witness to a temple street procession for a major part of this year. They are even more surprised to hear that this is part of the Aruthra Utsavam celebrations for they are of the view that Margazhi Thiruvathirai falls on Monday with the celebration at the Chidambaram Sabha Nayakar temple slated for that day. She is told that it is a day earlier at the Kapali temple as was also seen with the opening day of Margazhi which was celebrated on Dec 15.

It is a fairly quick procession around the four streets and the deities are back at the 16 pillar mandapam in an hour. The Sripatham perform another dance in front of the Pillayar Sannidhi following the presentation of Neivedyam. 

Nataraja and Sivakami to the Thiru Kalyana Mandapam

None of the regulars leave the temple for it is just the start of the night long celebration.  Shortly after 10pm, the Pancha Moorthy idols are back and once the Artha Jaama Pooja is done with at the Swami Sannidhi, it is time for Nataraja and Sivakami to make their way to the Thiru Kalyana Mandapam at the East end of the temple.

An enjoyable late evening procession

It is a slow paced and beautiful step by step half hour procession inside the temple with Nataraja showcasing to the devotees his dancing skills to the tune of the music that is being played out. There are at least a hundred devotees in front of the Saneeswarar Sannidhi watching another presentation of the Snake dance. It is well past 10.30pm when Sivakami, followed by Nataraja enter the Thiru Kalyana Mandapam with hereditary priest Balaji Gurukal welcoming the couple for the Alankaram ahead of the midnight Abhisekam.

It had been a devotionally exciting four hours at the Kapaleeswarar temple and the Pancha Moorthy Procession on the four Mada Streets has given the devotees in the city the hope that this will be start of resumption of street processions in all temples in the city.

Aruthra Sunday Morning Procession

After the mid night Abhisekam and the early morning Deepa Aradhanai, Nataraja, with a grand large flower garland and Sivakami went on a procession, anchored by Kapali Vaidhyanathan Gurukal, around the Mada Streets starting at 9am on Sunday (Dec 19) morning. Through the procession, devotees presented large garlands to Nataraja. 

Sunday Morning Nataraja and Sivakami- Kapali Temple

Following the Saturday evening Pancha Moorthy Procession at the Kapaleeswarar temple, Nataraja and Sivakami of Velleeswarar temple too went on on a procession on Sunday morning around the Mada Streets. At the Theradi on East Mada Street, both the Natarajas and Sivakamis, of Kapaleeswarar Temple and Velleeswarar temple met on Sunday morning!!!

It is the return of street processions in the city.

Mangai Nallur Temple Priest Veda Narayanan

The Priest has been serving at the ancient HR & CE temple for the last 35years – Currently at a Monthly Salary of Rs. 800

He has been planting two saplings everyday for the last three decades 

In 1985, Veda Narayanan was just 13years old and studying in his home town in Thiru Indhalur, a Divya Desam praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi (Indhalur). His appa Krishnaswamy Iyengar used to recite Divya Prabhandham at this temple. It was a time when the centuries old Varadaraja Perumal temple in Mel Mangai Nallur, a town about 5kms West of Sirupuliyur Divya Desam(Sirupuliyur Srikanthan) and 7kms East of Therazhundur Divya Desam was without a priest. His grandfather and grand uncle had been associated with the Aamaruviappan temple in Therazhundur Divya Desam and were also taking care of the temple in Mel Mangai Nallur. 

They wanted the next gen to take over and along with the Pannayaar Maami, a long time resident of the agraharam, convinced Veda Narayanan, who was still a teenager and brought him from Thiru Indhalur to Mel Mangai Nallur to perform archaka service at this temple. Since then, for the last 35 years Veda Narayanan has been performing service at the HR & CE administered Varadaraja Perumal temple except for a brief phase when Sridhar Dikshithar (father of Prasanna Dikshithar of Mannargudi) took him to the Balaji Temple in Banaswadi for service there (Veda Narayanan had been married into a Mannargudi Dikshithar family).

He learned the basic lessons for archaka service from Kannan Bhattar (father of Vasan Bhattar) of Therazhundur Divya Desam. But he did not go deep into the agamas and restricted himself to a simple archaka work model.

Serving at a Monthly Salary of Rs. 800 

For the last couple of decades, he has been performing service at this HR & CE administered temple at a monthly salary in the hundreds, with his latest salary being at Rs. 800. In the 20th Century, the income that was generated from the One Veli land that belonged to the temple and paddy from the harvest used to be handed to the priest for the temple expenses as well as his salary. But that was a story from decades ago. No more does any income accrue from the temple land. Only a big notice remains at the temple with a direction to the tenants to pay up the dues from the land.

No Processions

Street Processions or even inside processions have not taken place at the temple in decades for the utsava idol has been kept in safe custody at the Veeratana Kshetram of Vazhuvur. 

Like Vasan Bhattar of Therazhundur Divya Desam (Therazhundur Vasan Bhattar) did many years ago, Veda Narayanan Bhattar too pays the electricity bill at the temple!!!

A Special Feature - Presence of Vibheeshna

The presence of an idol for Vibheeshana at the Rama Sannidhi is particularly satisfying for Veda Narayanan Bhattar. There are only a few temples with Moolavar Idols of Vibheeshana including one in the nearby Thiru Kannapuram Divya Desam. “You do not find idols of Vibheeshana in most temples. To be performing pooja for him is a blessed feeling” says Veda Narayanan Bhattar.

As with many other priests in remote temples in Tamil Nadu, including as seen recently with Sowri Rajan Bhattar at Pinna Vasal (Ayyur Temple), Veda Narayanan too began performing pooja in nearby temples for additional income. 

Service at multiple village temples

He also goes on a two wheeler to the privately managed Veda Narayanan temple in Kappur on the banks of Veera Chozhan River. His appa had performed kainkaryam at this temple “I was born at Kappur and hence was named after the Lord there as Veda Narayanan.”

In addition, he has also been performing Thiru Aradhanam at the Lakshmi Narayanan Sannidhi in Velakudi (2kms from Manga Nallur) and Rajagopalan Perumal Temple in Komal, a temple visited by renowned Upanyasakar Krishnapremi and referred to as Ashta Gopala Puram in the centuries gone by. This is also the Abhimana Perumal for Therazhundur Aamaruviappan Divya Desam. The Moolavar at the Komal Perumal Temple too is Varadarajar.

Hastham Parikaram Temple, Komal

The nearby Shiva (Annapoorani) temple in Komal is seen as a Parikara Sthalam for devotees with Hastham star and hence this temple attracts those with Hastham star. The temple was also visited by High Court judge Indira Banerjee (Hastham star).

Over the last ten years, he has been performing daily pooja at the Chozha Period Ulagandha Easwaran temple, another HR & CE temple located a few 100 yards from the Varadaraja Perumal temple. Both these temples are said to date back to the Chozha Period going by the Karungal Constructions. There are also several historical inscriptions at the temple.

It is really the contribution from the agraharam residents in Mel Mangai Nallur and the trust relating to the Komal temple that have helped him financially with their Sambhavanai being  significantly higher than that paid by the HR & CE. 

His brother Sri Rangan has been performing Thiru Aradhanam at the Nara Narayanan Perumal temple at Thiru Nallar. A few years ago, he initiated his son into the Vedas by sending him to the Patshala in Thiru Nangur. He is hopeful that once he graduates from the Patshala he will be able to remain financially independent. Interestingly, against the current trend, he has just finalized for his daughter a groom who is into temple service “My daughter has agreed to marry one who is associated with temples and I am happy about that”, he told this writer this week.

Without any publicity, he has been planting two saplings everyday for the last three decades in a street in TN, depending on where he is on that particular day. Many of the trees that one sees today on the Mayiladuthurai Thiruvarur highway are those planted by him three decades ago. He himself waters those plants till they grow up.

A Contented Lifestyle

Veda Narayanan Bhattar says that despite all the financial challenges, he has no complaints in life. He has lived a contented life serving at the feet of the Lord for the last 35years. He visits multiple village temples each day of the year. In Margazhi, he starts very early and goes around from temple to temple to light the lamp and present the early morning Thaligai. The Consecration of the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Mangai Nallur took place in 2016 but his salary has remained static in three digits. He is unfazed by the financial challenges that he has seen in his life. ‘I have been blessed to perform archaka service. That is what has given me the biggest satisfaction” says Veda Narayanan Bhattar.

How does a Village Priest in an ancient temple live a family life with an official salary of Rs. 800 and minimal thattu kaasu. Veda Narayanan Bhattar has showed the way to devotional commitment in the last 35years. Truly a Committed and Devoted Village Priest.

Veda Narayanan Bhattar can be reached on 94440 19031.

Othuvar Tiruttani Swaminathan

His great interest in the Sacred Verses of the Saivite Saint Poets from his teenage years has led him to sing 'Thevaram' for the last six decades

Thiruvachakam remains one of his favourites

As a young boy, Swaminathan (he belonged to a Vaishnavite family and his original name was Sarangapani), who hailed from Alathur Village in Thiru Karugavur, was a big Perumal devotee of the temple in Papanasam. It delighted his appa Nagarathinam, a farmer in the village, that his son was blessed with devotion even as early as when he was 7years old and he was keen to explore and progress the devotional intent of his son. He saw in his son something that was special and a life attached to God. 

When Madurai Somu (his father in law belonged to Thiru Karugavur) came to the Papanasam temple for the Aadi Ubayam and presented nonstop Kutcheri through the night,  Swaminathan's appa took the young boy to the music legend and expressed the state of mind of the boy. 

Swaminathan, now 76, recalls the moment from that night in 1954 “It was late into the night. Madurai Somu had sung and enthralled the audience till 3am.As I stood before him, he asked me to sing a few lines. At that time, ‘Sinthanai Sei Manamey’ was my favourite and I presented that. He immediately told my appa that I had a great voice as well as devotion and asked him to initiate me into a voice related activity.”

And that’s how his appa put him into the Thiru Kadavur Patshala where he learned the Thevaram Verses for five years. Following this, he went to the Dharmapuram Atheenam and was initiated there for another two years. He says he has the greatest respect for his teacher Dharmapuram Swaminathan from whom he learned a great deal about the Thevaram Verses.

All his interest lay in the Thevaram Verses

Even as a teenager he had transformed himself from being a normal academics student to one with a great interest in Thevaram songs. And thus at the Dharmapuram Atheenam, he converted himself to a Saivite and changed his name from Sarangapani to Swaminathan. For the last six decades, his life has been all about Thevaram songs.

At the age of 17, he joined the Kunrakudi Devakottai Atheenam as an Othuvar at a salary of Rs. 75. A few years later, he moved to Thirumangalam near Lalgudi and joined there as Othuvar at a salary of Rs. 125 and 2 Kalam Paddy.

The Brand 'Tiruttani Swaminathan'

The biggest turnaround in his life happened in 1975. When the HR & CE called for an Othuvar for the Tiruttani temple, he applied and with his experience of over a dozen years, he was found to be suited for the post. He served there for 26years and with that came the brand tag of ‘Tiruttani Othuvar Swaminathan’ at a salary of Rs. 750. “I have been financially self sufficient but all my life I have seen Othuvar as a service singing praise of God and out of my interest in singing these devotional verses of the Saint Poets. And it has been rewarding in every way.”

“HR &CE Commissioner Uthanda Ramar, IAS, encouraged Thevaram songs in temples in the 1950s. That was a boost to the Othuvars” he recalls the promotion of the sacred verses in an important phase in his life.

During this period, he travelled around the world on invitation from temples in Malaysia (Navarathri), South Africa, Singapore, Switzerland and Sri Lanka. With the head of the Thirupananthal and Dharmapuram Atheenam, he also went overseas to present the Thevaram verses. 

He has bagged several coveted awards in his lifetime including the Kalaimaamani, Thirumurai Kalanidhi and Pannisai Peraringnar as well as Thiru Murai Rathna in Malaysia. He has released 50 CDs on Thevaram verses. He has also presented the sacred verses in big Kumbabhisekams including in Palani, Tiruchendur and Madurai. He is also an ‘A’ grade with the AIR.

A big highlight of his life

One of the big moments of his life was when he was invited for the Appar Kailaya Katchi on the Aadi Amavasya day at the Thiruvayaru temple in the 1970s. For over four decades, he has been presenting the Thevaram verses at this temple on this day every year "I feel blessed to have sung the verses of Appar on this most sacred day at Thiruvayaru for such a long time." 

                                                     Appar

After his retirement from the Tiruttani temple, he joined VS Trust Patshala in Chidambaram as a teacher and rolled out students who are now in Swami Malai, Thiru Nallar and Thiruvotriyur. “It has been a great feeling to create the next generation of Othuvars. I have tried to pass on my knowledge to the youngsters and many of them have taken to it with great interest.” 

He teaches around 30 students at the Dharmapuram Atheenam Patshala where he has been for the last decade the greatness of the 63 Nayanmars, the legends of Paadal Petra Sthalams and the significance of Thevaram Songs in addition to helping them learn the sacred verses. 

“I was blessed with voice and devotion at a young age and the inspiration from Madurai Somu turned my life forever in the path of praising the Lord. And I have remained blessed throughout my life as I have been able to sing the verses for six decades without a break. Till my voice remains intact, I will continue to sing the sacred verses and initiate youngsters into this service.”

From the time he was 17, his life has centered around the Thevaram Verses, singing praise of the Lord each day of the year. Wherever there is a recital of the sacred verses, he stands by and listens to the presentation for that is what has given him the greatest satisfaction in life. At 76, he is now a frail figure and could have chosen to lead a quiet retired life. Instead, he has decided to continue to sing and teach the verses till the time his voice permits him to. And he continues to spend a lot of his time in creating the next generation of Othuvars. 

Sarangapani Koil Pagal Pathu Utsavam

Every year, Margazhi 1 marks the beginning of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam at Thiru Kudanthai with Pallandu Thodakkam and the first two Cantos of Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi taking place right in front of Lord Aaraavamudhan

This is a particularly special day in the year as all the Azhvaars and Acharyas make their way to the Thirumaamani Mandapam to position themselves in front of the Moolavar Lord  

                       Nam Azhvaar and Thiru Mangai Azhvaar

It (Dec 16) is the first day of Margazhi and that is a special one at the seven Azhvaars praised Sarangapani Koil in Thiru Kudanthai. Special not just because of the birth of the sacred month of Margazhi, but every year, day one of Margazhi marks the beginning of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam. It is a unique historical tradition  based on the Sri Prasanna Samaitham,. While most other temples follow Vaikunta Ekadasi as the primary date for the Adyayana Utsavam with 10 days prior being the Pagal Pathu Utsavam and the following 10 days being the Era Pathu Utsavam, at the Sarangapani Koil it has been a centuries old tradition to start the Pagal Pathu Utsavam on the first day of Margazhi based on the above Samitham. While almost all the temples have created a Paramapada Vaasal opening for the Vaikunta Ekadasi Utsavam in the recent century, there is no Paramapada Vaasal at the Sarangapani Koil and the temple’s speciality is marked by the entrance from the South and North, coinciding with the Dakshinaya Punya Kaalam and Utharaayina Punya Kaalam.

The Adhyayana Utsavam is a 22 day event at the Sarangapani Koil with the conclusion marked by the presentation of Desikar Prabhandham. This utsavam will be immediately followed by the Thai Brahmotsavam with Dwajarohanam on the 22nd day of Margazhi.

The 10 day Oonjal Utsavam, celebrated in the evening, had just concluded the previous day. Soundara Raja Bhattar is one of the well respected Bhattars in the region for he is well versed in the agamas having learned from the then revered Raghunatha Sharma in Thiru Kudanthai. The Bhattar has performed Thiru Aradhanam at this temple for over three decades counts. His father L Srinivasa Bhattachar (Chellappa) too had performed selfless service at this temple for almost three decades including through the Challenging decades of the 1960s and 70s without a salary before collapsing one day at the Chakrapani Sannidhi and meeting with an untimely death when Soundara Raja Bhattar was just 9 years old. 

He is up at 3.45am at the temple on Thursday morning for the Vishroopam on day one of Margazhi and his morning session extends right up  to well past 1pm. There is an Margazhi Upanyasam slated for the evening at the Andal Sannidhi and he readies the huge garland for the Saint Poet.

Back at the Aaraavamudhan Sannidhi, all the azhvaar and acharya idols are being brought from their respective Sannidhis at the Eastern Entrance of the temple all the way to the Thirumaamani Mandapam by the service personnel of the temple. Just on day one of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam, the Thodakkam of the Naalayira Divya Prabhandham takes place in front of the Aaravamudhan Moolavar Sannidhi while on the rest of the days of the Utsavam, Sarangapani Perumal makes his way to the 100 Pillared Mandapam at the Eastern Entrance to listen to the Prabhandham presentation.

Desikar Archakar as Paricharakar and Sri Patham!!!

It takes a lot of physical effort on the part of these limited service personnel of the temple to make almost 15trips back and forth to place the Azhvaars and Acharyas at their respective places at the Thirumaamani Mandapam. Starting at 11am, it is an exercise that takes well over an hour.  The temple is so short on service personnel that the recently appointed archaka of the Vedantha Desikar Sannidhi, Sudarshan (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/09/sarangapani-koil-desikar-sannidhi-new.html), not only doubles up as the temple Paricharaka, but also performs the role of a Sri Patham on this day.

                          Vedantha Desikar

By 12.30pm, there is a certain vibrancy in front of the Aaravamudhan Sannidhi with devotees to the Sannidhi having a once in a year darshan of all the Azhvaars and Acharyas at this mandapam. It is also the only day when they can go around all the Azhvaars and Acharyas in a Pradakshinam at this Sannidhi.

It is past 1pm when Soundara Raja Bhattar is able to lock the Moolavar Sannidhi having arrived there over 9 hours earlier!!!

Selfless Service of the Lone Madapalli Cook

It is a very long day and probably one of the most tiring for the temple’s lone cook Sudarshan. Paid a meager monthly salary for his tireless service by the HR &CE, Madapalli Sudarshan has been up at 3am this morning for the early morning Thaligai. He doubles up as the Sri Patham to carry the Azhvaars and Acharyas from their Sannidhis to the Thirumaamani Mandapam. He leads the presentation of the Uchi Kaalam Thaligai. In between he is also seen cleaning all the sacred vessels all by himself. He also has to anchor the Thaligai for the Pagal Pathu Thodakkam that is slated for 3pm. He has very little rest on the day. 

Pagal Pathu Pallandu Thodakkam

Shortly after 2.45pm, the Prabhandham Scholars arrive one by one at the temple each one of them decked in a Panchakacham. Kumar Bhattachar, who is playing the anchor for the Pallandu Thodakkam reaches the Sannidhi at 3.30pm.  There are a few traditional ladies of Thiru Kudanthai Divya Desam who are there for this sacred moment.

Just around 4pm, Kumar Bhattachar presents the Shatari to each of the Azhvaars and Acharya and after the introduction of each of them by Patrachar of Thiru Kudanthai, he begins the recital of Pallandu along with around 15 Prabhandham members. 

Unlike most other occasions in the year, the Adhyayana Utsavam is marked by a presentation at a very steady pace. It takes over an hour to present the first hundred verses of the Naalayira Divya Prabhandham. Many outstation devotees who reach the temple at 5pm are in for a surprise for they are not aware of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam starting here on day one of Margazhi. They are delighted to have darshan of all the Azhvaars at this mandapam along with the darshan of Lord Aaravamudhan, seen in a Uthaana Sayana Kolam.

Krishna's Childhood activities - Neighbours/ Gopikas complain

It is 6.30pm when the second Canto of Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi is nearing its completion with the members presenting in a slow and loud chorus the Vennai Vizhingi set of verses where child Krishna’s neighbours complain about his various misdeeds to his mother. Around a hundred devotees have congregated inside the Thirumaamani Mandapam(https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/09/krishna-neighbours-complain.html). 

வெண்ணெய் விழுங்கி

வெறுங் களத்தை வெற்பிடை இட்டு  கேட்கும்.......

...... புண்ணில்  புளிப் பெய்தா லொக்கும் தீமை

It is a once in a life time opportunity for these outstation devotees to both have a darshan of all the Azhvaars at this mandapam as well as to listen to the devotional presentation of  Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi narrating Krishna’s childhood activities.

Satru Murai in front of 100s of devotees

15 minutes later, the scholars present each of the Vedas followed by the final decad of the Second Canto of Periyazhvaar Thirumozhi. In the previous decad, the neighbours had complained about the misdeeds of Child Krishna. And now in this Satru Murai decad on the first evening of Pagal Pathu Utsavam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/09/krishna-gopis-complain.html), the members present the complaints of the Gopikas.

ஆற்றில் இருந்து விளையாடு வோங்களைச் சேற்றால் 

எறிந்து வளை  துகில் கைக் கொண்ட

Damodara Dikshithar's Presence on Pagal Pathu Evening

It is well past 7pm and it has been a highly devotional 3hours at the Thirumaamani Mandapam. Madapalli Sudarshan makes an announcement to the Prabhandham members to head to the madapalli for ‘Arisi Upma’ Thaligai. The day’s Ubayadharars have a special darshan at the Moolavar Sannidhi while the hundred odd devotees finally manage a darshan of Lord Aaravamudhan having enjoyed the final couple of decads of the Prabhandham over the previous hour. Damodara Dikshithar too makes his way to the Moolavar Sannidhi on this first evening of Pagal Pathu Utsavam and is welcomed by Soundararaja Bhattar with his differentiated and unique presentation of the archanai praising Lord Aaravamudhan. He explains to the Dikshithar the legend of the Lord and his special sleeping posture acceding to the request of Thirumazhisai Azhvaar. 

At 8pm, the Sri Patham Thangis, the service personnel at the temple, are back to carry all the Azhvaars and Acharyas back to their respective Sannidhis.The long day for Soundara Raja Bhattar ends shortly after 9pm with a visibly tired looking Madapalli Sudarshan, who has been working nonstop for over 15 hours, bringing in the Sayana Thaligai. Both of them sign off with the message that they will be back early morning for day two of Margazhi!!! 

The rest of the Pagal Pathu Utsavam will take place at the 100 Pillared Mandapam with Thiru Mangai Azhvaar Thirvadi Thozhuthal slated for Saturday Dec 25 on the 10th day of the Utsavam.

When in Kumbakonam, visit these Divya Desams:

https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2007/06/divya-desams-around-kumbakonam.html

Aravoor Karkodakeswarar Temple

Sarpa Dosha Nivarthi

The Centuries old temple with brick constructed outer walls has been in a dilapidated state for a long time - Kumbabhisekam has not taken place in a century

The HR & CE, which is trying to force its way into the temple, has issued a show cause notice to the private trustees and has called for a meeting on Dec 14 to discuss the take over of the temple

In the first week of October this year, this section had featured a story on the dilapidated state of the HR &CE administered Varadaraja Perumal temple in Ayyur near Katchanam, Tiruvarur (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/10/pinna-vaasal-sowri-rajan-bhattar.html).  This story is about a private trustee run temple in ruins. In the last couple of months, the Varadaraja Perumal temple has seen improvements with immediate action initiated by the HR & CE and devotees alike. 

The Mangalambika Samedha Karkodakeswarar temple in Aravoor, 4kms East of Nidamangalam has not seen a Kumbabhisekam over the last century, almost similar to the scenario that existed at the Ayyur temple. The private trustees, who were also Zamindars in Aravoor, have been managing the temple through the 20th Century. Over the last fortnight or so, the HR & CE has issued a show cause notice to the trustees and a meeting has been fixed for next Tuesday (Dec 14) at the temple where the JC is expected to have a discussion with the owners on the take over of the temple by the HR & CE.

The temple has centuries old inscriptions both at the Mangalambika and Swami Sannidhis. Thiru Gnana Sambandar is believed to have visited the temple on his way from Nidamangalam to Alangdi but did not sing a verse of praise on this Lord. 

Interestingly, there are also idols of Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman inside this temple. Historically there seemed to have been a perumal temple as well in Aravoor as was the tradition in the centuries gone by but the dilapidated state of the perumal temple seems to have led the idols into the Karkodakeswarar temple. 

Sarpa Dosham Parikara Sthalam

Karkodakeswarar is East Facing while Mangalambika Sannidhi is South facing. There are also separate sannidhis for Pillayar and Murugar on the Western side of the temple. As the name of the Swamy suggests, this is a parikara sthalam for Sarpa Dosham. The village is named as Aravoor (aravam for snake in tamil).

There is a strong belief that sincere prayers at this temple will relieve one of Kaala Sarpa Dosham. There are devotees who visit the temple on Pradosham, Sangaabhisekams on Karthigai Mondays, Aipasi for Anna Abhisekam. On Fridays, devotees from the village come to light the lamp and on Pradosham evenings they turn up to watch the abhisekam. 

Owners of the Temple

The temple was owned by Rathna Sabhapathi Udayar and then passed on to his sons Ramalinga and Panchapakesan Udayar. From them, it has now passed on to their sons who are currently responsible for the upkeep of the temple. The forefathers of the current trustee had owned almost the entire village in the century gone by. They were not just owner of the temple but of the entire Aravoor Village, says Mayil Udayar Santhanam, whose team has taken up restoration work of several temples in the Nidamangalam region in the last many years.

Current State of the Temple

The temple is currently in a dilapidated state and has been in a neglected state for a while. The outer walls of the temple are in bad shape. There is no electricity inside the temple and hence it is a challenge to visit the temple after 6pm. The Vimanam of Ambal and Swami Sannidhis have had trees atop that only recently were cut. The Pillayar and Murugar Sannidhis on the Western side too are in a bad state. There are huge bushes across the prakara similar to the one seen at the HR &CE administered Ayyur Varadaraja Perumal temple  a couple of months back. The madapalli has been dysfunctional for decades and is in ruins now. The worst of the lot is the big tank at the East end with even the pathway to it being cut off with the presence of huge bushes. Thick shrubs, bushes and trees inside the temple puts safety of the priest at peril. Both inside the temple and near the tanks, there is the risk of snakes making this their home. Of course this is a temple relating to relief from Sarpa Dosham.The consecration of the temple has not taken place in a century.

          Madapalli in Ruins

Mayil Udayar Santhanam, who belongs to a team of Temple Service Personnel under the leadership of former Chief Election Commissioner Gopalswamy, has restored a 100 temples in the region and is currently pushing the owners to hand over the restoration exercise to his team. It was this team of service personnel that had supported and undertaken the renovation exercise at the Santhana Ramar temple in Nidamangalam where the consecration took place in 2006 (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/12/nidamangalam-santhanaramar-temple.html).

  Mayil Udayar Santhanam

A devotee whose Kaala Sarpa Dosham was relieved after invoking the blessings of the Lord at this temple offered to take up the entire restoration exercise but Mayil Udayar Santhanam says that the owners did not agree to it. He says that HR &CE is now pushing hard to force the transfer of ownership from the private trustees. For the moment, the owners are hanging on. Santhanam feels that the temple is better off in private hands but is keen that the current trustees take up the immediate restoration for its been delayed for far too long.

Five Decades Serving Santhanam Gurukal

G Santhanam Gurukal is 68 years old and has been serving as an archaka at the temple for the last five decades. His father Ganesha Gurukal, who passed away in the late 1960s, had served at the temple for several decades and prior to that his grandfather as well. 

    G Santhanam Gurukal

Santhanam Gurukal, who hails from Aravoor, studied till class VI at the school in Nidamangalam. He then learned the temple related archaka work from his uncle and joined the temple in 1970. Santhanam Gurukal also performs archaka service at two other village temples – Mariamman temple in Kiliyur and Pillayar temple in Vadamangalam for some financial returns. His relatives have been asking him to move to the city but he says that if he was motivated financially, he would have made the move decades ago. He says he feels blessed to be handed the task of archaka service through his forefathers at this temple and he is keen to continue for as long as possible. 

Historically the priests were handed paddy for their service. About three decades ago, Santhanam Gurukal was handed over a large tract of land by the Trustees in lieu of the Paddy that his forefathers were given during their service. No more does he get Paddy for his monthly service. Thattu Kaasu is almost non-existent at the temple. He rides a TVS 50 to the other two temples for daily pooja. He and his wife live in a small self constructed house opposite the temple.

He says that there is a lot of investment that needs to be made for him to generate income from the farming land. “Without periodic investment, one cannot get returns.”

Mayil Udayar Santhanam has been talking to the owners regarding the restoration exercise but has not got positive feedback yet. He wonders as to why such an aristocratic family would not perform periodic Kumbabhisekams at the temple. Both the owner descendents confirmed to this writer that the HR&CE had indeed sent them a notice indicating its intention to take over the temple.

There are two big tasks on hand for the owners - One, they would have to organize, quickly, a restoration exercise and prevent further ruins. Two, they have to keep the HR & CE away from the temple. 

While the HR & CE take over is a real threat to this privately managed temple, Temple activist and President of the Temple Worshippers Society TR Ramesh had a question for the HR &CE officials “If the dilapidated state of the temple is the reason for the private trustees to be sent out of the temple, then should the HR & CE not get out of the Ayyur Varadaraja Perumal Temple (managed by the HR & CE) that too had been in a dilapidated state for decades. And several other HR & CE administered temples that are in a state of ruins.”

The meeting between the HR &CE and the Private Trustees on Tues Dec 14 will give an indication on the likely next steps at the temple. Either way, this temple requires an immediate restoration exercise and that cannot wait any longer.

Aravoor is four kms North East of Nidamangalam off the Tiruvarur highway. There are very limited buses to Aravoor and access to the temple is not easy. An auto from Nidamangalam costs Rs. 150.  One can call Santhanam Gurukal on @ 88705 60573 before visiting the temple.

Nidamangalam Santhanaramar Temple

Prarthana Sthalam for the Childless

Three Generations of a Priest Family have kept the temple alive when almost all the original inhabitants have left the town seeking greener pastures elsewhere

The Utsavams that had come to a halt in the 1970s have been revived in the last two decades

                          Third Gen Narayanan Bhattar

Three Generations of priests have kept the archaka service going at the Centuries old Santhanarama Temple in Nidamangalam.  Srinivasa Raghavan Bhattar (Azhvaar Iyengar), who was renowned for his Veda Parayanam and Prabhandham recital, performed archaka service for seven decades till the mid 1960s. It was a phase when the entire town was vibrant. There were 400 Vaishnavites residing in the Agraharam and Mada Vilagam. There were utsavams all round the year. Rama Navami Brahmotsavam was and continues to be the grandest occasion in the year. On Aadi Pooram, Theppotsavam was celebrated. The Lord provides Garuda Sevai darshan on Akshaya Trithiyai and on Vaikasi Visakam, Nam Azhvaar goes around on procession around the four streets. Azhvaar Iyengar was integral part of the temple celebration 

His son Santhana Rama Bhattar (Babu) is now touching 75. He joined the temple in 1970 at a monthly salary of Rs. 100. He learned the Vedas and Prabhandham from his appa, Pancharatra Agama from Melavadayal Narasimhariar and got Deekshai from Varadar Kutti Bhattar in Kanchipuram. 

Glory Decades till the 1960s

He recalls the glorious years at the temple from his childhood in the 1950s “Residents would compete with each other for Kainkaryam. There were many varieties of Thaligai presented to the Lord. During the Utsavams, each agraharam resident wanted to outshine the other in Kainkaryam and contributed his/her might to the temple. There was a healthy relationship among the Kainkaryapakas.  It was golden years at the temple and all the utsavams were grand. There was daily Vedic and Prabhandham recital. There was Vishroopam Sevai with a Cow standing in front of the Lord. Two cooks and two paricharakas served at the temple till the 1960s and it was great team work.”

Mass Exodus, Dark Decades for the temple

Unfortunately for Santhana Rama Bhattar, the decade of his joining turned out to be one of the worst for temples in TN. Devotion was at a low, the original inhabitants began to move out of most traditional temple towns into larger cities in search of jobs. It was no different here. The Chariot run, a grand event at the temple, had come to a halt. Many of the utsavams could not be conducted for both the devotees and the service personnel dwindled in numbers.

             Santhana Rama Bhattar - Touching 75

Devotional Commitment - The Lord takes care

But he kept his devotional service going through the challenging decades. When almost every traditionalist had left Nidamangalam, Santhana Rama Bhattar stuck to his archaka service. The salary was in three digits and there was not much of Thattu Kaasu but he had seen his appa's service at the temple through his childhood and teenage years and  There was revival at the turn of the century. Devotional wave began to take off and people have begun to get back to temples in a big way in the last two decades. Santhana Rama Bhattar’s decades long service bore fruit when he anchored the 2006 Samprokshanam. It was the grandest consecration that the temple had seen and transformed the activities at the temple. The historical utsavams were revived. The renovation exercise was led by a strong support from the former Chief Election Commissioner Gopalswamy.

Shortly after his most satisfying event, it was time for Santhanarama Bhattar to retire and hand over the baton to the next gen. When Santhanarama Bhattar was to retire over a dozen years ago, his only son Narayanan then in his 30s was performing service in a temple in Madras. The son was doing well financially and Santhanarama (Babu) Bhattar was not keen on asking his son to make the move to this Tier 3 location. His plan was to organize a priest locally. 

Returns to Nidamangalam to serve Santhana Ramar

But Narayana Bhattar was keen to continue the century old archaka service that his forefathers had performed and returned to Nidamangalam letting go the financially lucrative temple service in Madras. As with most remote temples, there is currently a shortage of personnel at their temple and Narayanan Bhattar doubles up as both the priest and the cook.

Unmindful of the shortage, Narayanan Bhattar performs Thiru Aradhanam and Thaligai each day of the year both in the morning and evening session. He takes delight in alankarams for the Lord and is particularly pleased that he is able to present to the Lord and distribute prasadam each day to the devotees. Every Friday, he presents Puttu and Kesari to the Lord and distributes to the devotees. 

Revival of Utsavams

Most of the Utsavams have been revived at the temple. All the Azhvaar and Acharya utsavams are celebrated with Desikar Utsavam (Puratasi Shravanam), Ramanuja Utasvam (Chitrai Thiruvathirai) and Nam Azhvaar birthday (Vaikasi Visakam) bring particularly special. The Rama Navami Brahmotsavam is the biggest occasion at the temple with Vahana Street Processions in the evening. The Pattabhishekam Thiru Kolam on the last day of Adyayana utsavam is another special occasion at the temple. Anna Dhanam takes place for 2000 people on Aadi Pooram.Navarathri Utsavam draws good devotee crowd at the temple. Narayanan Bhattar is particularly attached to alankarams and takes special care to decorate Thaayar every day of the Utsavam. There is a procession of the Lord on the Horse Vahana on the final day. 

Prarthana Sthalam for the Childless

This temple is said to date back to the Chozha period with the Garbha Graha having existed then but the current structure goes back to the late 18th century and the construction by the Thanjavur king Pratap Simha. The Lord appeared in the dreams of the King and asked him to look for an idol of Ramar at this location. The King and his wife Rani Yamunambal were childless. He came here and found the idol beneath the eart. After invoking the blessings of the Lord, she gave birth to a child. Hence the Lord is referred to as Santhana Ramar, a unique name for Lord Rama. This location was historically referred to as Yamunambal Puram. The belief is that those who invoke the blessings of Lord Rama and Sita Devi will be blessed with a child.  Every Rohini, there is a Putra Santhana Gopala homam. This is a very special event at the temple and devotees visit in good numbers on the Rohini day every month.

Muthuswamy Dikshithar has presented a song in praise of Santhanaramar in Hindola Vasantha Ragam. The famous Tavil Vidwan Meenakshi Sundaram belonged to this place. 

Thiru Aradhanam and Prabhandham Presentation

On normal weekday mornings, there are hardly any devotees and Narayanan Bhattar is almost all alone. But his mind is devotionally attached to Lord Santhana Ramar and he quietly performs the Thiru Aradhanam and presents the morning Thaligai. He also serves as the Prabhandham scholar and presents Nithya Anusanthanam in the evening. It is a way of life that he has committed himself to, devotionally. He is also delighted with the fact that the original inhabitants who are now settled elsewhere are reconnecting with the temple and participating in utsavams. The 2006 Samprokshanam performed by his appa was perhaps the grandest in its history with the participation of former Chief Election Commissioner Gopalaswamy. The temple is due for another one and the application is currently pending with the HR & CE. It is likely the third gen in the family will anchor the next consecration.

Narayanan Bhattar was financially self sufficient in Madras and he could have easily taken the call to continue his life in the Metro but he chose otherwise and returned to his home town. The financial returns may not be anywhere close to that in the city but Service at the Santhana Rama temple at Nidamangalam over the last dozen years has given the 49 year old great satisfaction. He is hoping to spend the rest of his life serving at the feet of Santhana Rama, a unique name for the Lord at this temple. With such devotional commitment, the temple is in safe hands despite the severe shortage of service personnel.

The temple is open from 7am-11am and 5pm-8pm. Contact: Narayanan Bhattar @ 94448 54208.

Shahvir Tarapore Umpire

A Great Second Innings in Cricket

The man who struggled as a Ranji Cricketer in the 1980s scored a Century in Umpiring officiating in 100 first class matches

In the 1980s, a Karnataka cricketer in his 20s went through a torrid time. In a strong state team comprising of his first captain Brijesh Patel, he failed to make a mark. For seven years, he was in the Ranji Squad but managed to score only over a hundred runs in that phase. A man who had failed so miserably as a player scored a remarkable century in his second innings in cricket. Taking to Umpiring in 1987 after coming to terms with himself that he was not good enough as a player, the then thirty year old took to Umpiring. Over the next three decades he reached the top of the Umpiring Ladder clocking a 100 first class matches and as he proudly recalls in this story was there to watch three of Sachin Tendulkar’s record breaking knocks in one day cricket. In recent years, he has turned a mentor to upcoming umpires and also currently dons the role of the Hony Joint Secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association. Here’s the story.

Developing Early Communication Skills

Shahvir Tarapore (most have got his name wrong!!!) began his association with tennis ball cricket on the gully of Shivajinagar in the Cantonment area in Bangalore. His father Keki Tarapore had played a couple of matches for the state and later went on to become a renowned coach. His Uncle too was a cricketer and it was no wonder that this young boy too took to cricket. Alongside his cricket, his English language and communication skills were harnessed at school - first at Sophia and later at St. Josephs European High School, qualities that were to hold him in great stead later on in life in his second innings in cricket.

In 1969, his parents moved to the Parsi flats (one of the earliest apartment complexes in that area) and the young 12 year old Shahvir honed his cricket skills playing cricket within the complex.  He recalls coming to the nearby KSCA for some nets sessions in that phase “Our new residence was very close to the KSCA, which was an open ground at that time (the stadium that we see today had not come up then). It was exciting for me to walk down to the ground and play cricket here.”

Now well past 60, Shahvir still goes there once in a while to the over 50 year apartment and plays a bit of cricket with the younger gen evoking memories of his own cricketing days from the late 60s and early 70s.

University Cricket leads to State Selection

Before he had turned 15, he played for the state schools and went on to play Rohinton Baria and Vizzy Trophy (under L Vasan). Strong performances in the league for the now over 100 year old BUCC earned him a place in the Karnataka Ranji team in 1979 and he made his debut a year later “I took to cricket more out of passion and also we were a family of sportspeople. Making my debut under Brijesh was one of the biggest moments of my life. Karnataka was a very strong team at that time and had a great top order and a spin attack. To just be part of that squad was a great blessing.”

He joined Syndicate Bank in 1980 and was an integral part of their team for close to two decades.

Shahvir was in the Ranji squad for seven years though he played only six matches in that time.  Four decades after his debut, he says he is not embarrassed to accept that he was a failure as a player “I did nothing of note as a cricketer. It was a team full of luminaries and just being around them in the dressing room was a great feeling at that time, though I would have liked to have contributed better for the state.”

Second Innings in Cricket

By 1987, he had resigned himself to the fact that he was not good enough as a cricketer. Following in his father’s footsteps he tried his hand at Coaching for a brief period but soon found out that he was not suited for that role. Cricket had been his life for two decades and he wanted to continue his association with the game “I found the best way to stay connected was to be right in the middle and Umpiring offered that opportunity.”

He cleared the KSCA examination in 1987 and three years of umpiring in the Bangalore league and mentoring under Satyaji Rao gave him his early experience. In 1990-91, he got through the BCCI examination “While it was a very challenging phase as a cricketer, I did want to make it big in Umpiring. I learned a lot from my seniors. I had been notorious as a player but mellowed down once he took to umpiring.”

His second innings in cricket took off after 1996. He became a regular in the Duleep Trophy and other national level tournaments. In 1999, he made his international debut in an Indian team comprising of Sachin, Sourav and Rahul “It was a start studded team and I did have butterflies in my stomach that day. I went on to enjoy my international stint officiating with the best in the umpiring world.”

Into the ICC Panel 

He was inducted into the ICC Panel in 2008 and went on to officiate in four tests and 24 ODIs. His big moments in umpiring was when he officiated in both the ODI and T20 World Cup but he considers the biggest of them of all as being involved in Sachin’s greatest moments ‘Sachin scored 185 in my debut ODI match, I also umpired when he scored 175 against Australia and when he created the World Record with the one day double hundred against South Africa. I also officiated in Sachin’s last first class match.”

He says that travelling across the world gave him great insights into the different cultures and the mindset of people in different countries. “It helped me understand both the international players and my overseas umpiring colleagues better on the field.’

Controversial Moments

He did have his controversial moments as well. In the IPL, his decision against Ashwin did not go down well with Captain Dhoni. He was also the umpire when the match referree handed a two match suspension for slow over rate. There was another when he gave his father’s mentee Rahul Dravid out, controversially. But by and large he had a fairly successful three decades career as an umpire that had begun in 1987 at the KSCA.

In 2017, aged 60 he retired from all forms of the game having officiated in 100 first class matches. It had been a significant achievement for a man who managed to score only over a 100 runs in his Ranji career. Once he became a BCCI umpire, he began to consider this as a ‘full day’ in office “Even though I was employed with Syndicate Bank and they supported me right till the very end, I considered every match that I officiated in as my full day in office. Like elsewhere in cricket, every match is a new innings. In fact, for an umpire, every ball is important. Throughout my umpiring career, I would tell myself before every ball that this is the ball that really counts."

Following his retirement, he was appointed as the Head of Faculty for umpires and anchored the Level 1 and II education programmes for Umpires in India. 

Active Cricket Engagement Past 60

Shahvir, who will turn 64 later this month, is still very active off the field having expanded his engagement with cricket after taking up the role of Honorary Joint Secretary of the KSCA where he works closely with his Ranji Teammates from the 1980s – Roger Binny and J Abhiram. He did not have anything to write home about as a player in the 1980s but he had the resolve and the mental strength to come back strong in his second innings in cricket. Three decades is a long time for someone to be officiating as an umpire for it is a hard grind both to be standing in the hot sun day in day out as well as the amount of travelling that is required. But Shahvir had the two Ps in him – Passion and Patience as well as the Communication skill that are such important qualities for an umpire. 

It has been a very satisfying, fruitful and enjoyable second innings in cricket for Shahvir.