Hampi - Land of ruins

In what turned out to be a last minute travel with "on the verge" of missing the train, I went out for a 2 day trip to Hampi. Hampi is located around 12 km from Hosapete, a city in Ballari district in Karnataka.

People may ask what is there to see the ruins. But, only when you visit you will be able to feel, how a dynasty known for building traditions of South and Central India came together got destroyed and every architectural beauty got decimated.

Hampi got declared as a UNESCO Heritage site in 1986. Located near the Tungabadra river, Hampi was once a wealthy and a grand city. Trading was a major activity which attracted traders from Portugese and Persians.

Known as King of Kings, Vijayanagara empire flourished during Krishna Deva Raya period and this empire served as a barrier from Muslim invasion in to the South. Krishna Deva Raya's successors however tasted defeat. After the defeat in the hands of the coalition of Muslim sultanates, the Vijayanagara empire fell and its capital was conquered, pillaged  and all the Hindu architectural buildings, temples were demolished and the ruins were thrown in to the river(circa 1565).

If one plans for a Hampi trip, you will need at least a bare minimum of 3 days to see around the town. And if you are inclined to the art - photography, you will need at least 5 days. The sun falling on the pillars of mantapas, the structural beauties, monolithic stones, boulders - everything is a beauty to see | visit. If you have seen the new INR 50 rupee note, you could see the Stone chariot.

I took a 2 day off and started off on a train from Chennai - Hubbali (via Hosapet). The train is a bi-weekly express. My co-traveler who is a passionate photographer and I reached Hosapet at the midnight 1.40 am. We got in to an auto and reached Hampi by around 230 am and stayed in Kamalapura, 4 kms from Hampi.

The tour was organized by leading Monument Photographer, Professor, ex-banker, Mr Ramanidharan. All I had to do is just travel. He took care of all the 6 of us(4 of them were already there 2 days earlier). He explained every monument and gave us tips as to how to capture light and in which angle.

Ramani sir must have visited Hampi at least 25 times. He knew the length and breadth of entire Hampi. If any one is interested in Hampi, and in addition you are a photographer, plan a trip.

The beauty of Hampi is that, when you leave the city, it sports a smile and says "Visit me again". 

Some of the photos displayed here. Copyright - Hema.

 Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

                                                         Virupaksha Temple - Boulder view

 Pattabirama Temple - Axial mantapas

 Pattabirama Temple - View for another entrance

 Sunset from Hemakoota Hills 

 Sunset from Hemakoota Hills - Light Hues

 Sunset from Hemakoota Hills

 Virupaksha Temple - Pillar view

Enjoy your trip to Hampi!

AaNdaaL & Chithirai Festival

Chitra Pournami - A blend of both Saivism and Vaishnavism. When AaNdaaL sets out from Srivilliputtur to Srirangam to marry Lord Ranganatha, she stops by at Kallazhagar temple and prays that if her wish was fulfilled, she will offer 100 pots of sweet pongal and 100 pots of butter. This has been described in her Nachiar Tirumozhi.(#9). Starting with describing the beauty of thirumaliruncholai Lord.
சிந்தூர செம்பொடிப்போல் திருமலிருஞ் சோலையெங்கும்
இந்திர கோபங்களே எழுந்தும்பரந் திட்டனவால் மந்தரம் நாட்டியன்று மதுரக்கொழுந் சாறுகொண்ட சுந்தர தோளுடையான் சூழலையினின் றுய்துங்கொலோ
This pasuram is in 9.1. It is interesting to note that in this shrine AaNdaaL is in sitting position as against standing position in most of the temples.AaNDaaL's 9.6 pasuram explains her prayers to Lord Sundarajara PerumaL. Knowing Krishna is fond of butter, she feels if the food is offered, HE might come and she will have a change to meet the Lord.

நாறு நறும்பொழில் மாலிருஞ்சோலை நம்பிக்கு நான் நூறு தடாவில்வெண்ணெய் வாய்நேர்ந்து பரவி வைத்தேன் நூறு தடா நிறைந்த அக்கார வடிசில் சொன்னேன் ஏறு திருவுடையான் இன்று வந்திவை கொள்ளுங்கொலோ

Oh Lord of Thirumaliruncholai which has so fragrant flower gardens, I give my word that I will offer 100 pots of butter and sweet pongal. Will the Lord who holds Lakshmi come and accept my offering?
But, AaNdaaL could not fulfill her promise as she was invited by Ranganathar to join him in Srirangam. This happened around 8th century.
Ramanujar who is also refered to as UDayavar, decided to fulfill this promise himself by offering them to Lord at Thirumaliruncholai a couple of centuries later. When he went to Srivilliputtur after this offering, it is said that AaNdaaL came out of the shrine and called him as "en Anna" (my brother who fulfilled the promise) in view of his love for her.
Of course, the celestial wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar in Madurai as part of the Chithirai Thiruvizha.. People from Madurai are blessed to witness this festival.People welcome Lord Kallazhagar as he enters Madurai. This is called as Edhir-sevai.

It is said that KaLLazhagar wanted to witness his sister(Meenakshi)'s wedding with Sundareswarar and by the time he reached the Vaigai river, he is informed that the wedding is over. Knowing this, he gets upset and stops at Vaigai. Meenakshi and Sundareswarar on hearing this, visit the Vaigai river to pacify him. Saddened and angered that he could not witness the wedding, he enters in to Vaigai river and hands gifts and goes back to Azhagar Kovil in palanquin decorated with flowers without visiting Madurai.

There is another story on Mandooka rishi was cursed by Durvasar and he got his curse relieved by praying in Azhagar Kovil. Sage Durvasa cursed him to be a frog. Impressed by his prayers, Lord of Tirumaliruncholai comes to relieve the curse.

Although this festival was intiially done in Jan (thai month in tamizh), they needed people to pull the chariot. Thai month being a harvest month, the festival did not see much crowd. Hence, it was shifted to Chitirai (Apr- May). (as heard). The water splashing event is also a form to combat the heat during April.

Hope to visit this shrine soon!. For those, who would like to know how akkara-adisal is being made, please visit Akkara-adisal

She and Him

After a brief hiatus... It has been almost 5 years since I wrote anything. Somewhere, I lost my strand to write and there are several reasons. I hope to gather some strands and continue in the forthcoming days. I begin with a cute love story.

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Lao Tzu

It was perhaps love at first sight for both of them. The way she cuddles him, the way he loves her unconditional, everything is sweet. 

Somewhere between the Hi's in the morning and to the Good Night's in the night, the love blossomed every day. Every day it grew by a cm. Be it the jogging mornings or the playing evenings, every conversation between them is beautiful. The chemistry between them worked just perfect. He can study her mood to an extent and he also knows how to keep her happy. When he got hurt in his legs, she was petrified. Scared if he will limp all through his life, she applied ointments, gave medications (all with extra care and love). He never disappointed her. A fine evening, he started playing football and to her surprise sprinted a 10m run as well!.. After all, he is her cute pup who she raised giving unconditional love. What you give is what you receive. Give Love in abundance, it will multiply and come back to you!

Self confidence

Recently, I came across this interesting story told by our honorable CM. I have tried to capture the entire story. The story goes like this. 

Once there was a rat which was very scared of cats and other animals. It saw a rishi and prayed to Rishi, "I am getting scared of cat..... Can you convert me in to a cat?". The sage looked at the rat, smiled and said, okay!. Will convert and the rat became a cat. It felt happy. The cat was wandering in the forest and after a few days it met the same sage. It went up to the sage and said, "Thanks for converting me. But,these days, I am getting scared of whenever I see a tiger. Why don't you change me to a tiger. Tiger is big and majestic also!". The sage again smiled and made the now cat to a tiger. The tiger was very happy and was going all around the forest..... After a few days, the sage again saw the tiger and asked if the tiger is doing fine. The tiger said, "yes". But, I really get scared whenever I see a hunter. I have a feeling that he will hunt me. So, is it possible for you to convert me into a hunter. That way, I will never be more happy!. The sage got a bit annoyed and said, "Oh rat, the fear in you is not going to change in whichever form I change you to!. Unless you come out of the fear in you, the appearance makes no difference. Until, you get out of fear, be in your original form itself... ". He converted the tiger back to its original form.

The inner fear many times proves to be an obstacle in our growth trajectory. Nice and interesting story to shed all inhibitions and fear!.

Signing off,
SPH

My Playlist - 1

Ever since I got inducted(!) in to listening to Carnatic music, my mind has not traveled anywhere other than listening to good music. Thanks to my parents who have never objected to my listening even if it involves skipping house hold work. They rather welcomed it :-). You never know when you get that feeling in you that your soul gets purified every time you listen to good music. If you note carefully, when you start appreciating good music, music will in turn take care of you/speak to you!. This is my personal feeling. The listed is not in any particular order. Some of the list I love listening to any time by the vocalist (and of course in Violin as well) in bracket

Shanmukhapriya (M - 56) - I got introduced to this ragam through my parents and thanks to Maharajapuram Santhanam audio cassette and "All India Radio, Tiruchirapalli Vaanoli nilayam.- Isai arangam"- in the mornings. The first song I listened in this ragam is "vilayada idhu nerama"!. Called as Chaamaram in Dikshidhar school, there are lot of compositions on Lord Muruga. Perhaps, I wonder if it got the name because it is a ragam loved by Shanmugha?.  This ragam evokes a kind of a bhakthi rasa or a perfect divinity so as to say. As lots of compositions are there, my personal favorite other than mentioned is "Siddhi Vinayakam anisham" by Dikshidhar. ( Palghat K V Narayanaswamy with Shri MSG - bliss!) not failing to mention the fireworks of swarams at prasidha gana nayakam.. - Total bliss!

Karaharapriya (M - 22) - This has a distinct melody while listening. Said to be a parent of many famous janya ragas, the perfectly rendered aalapanai brings out the karuna rasa. There are many songs in this raga which I listen to with abundance of joy everytime. Some being - "Chakkani raja"  ( Smt MS Subbulakshmi), "Mithri Bhagyame" (Shri KVN), "Okkapari" by Annamacharya (MS Subbulakshmi), "Appan avadharitha" by none other than Shri T M Krishna. I love listening to the aalapanai on the violin!. It just takes you to a different world! More like a meditation!.

Bhairavi (J - 20 - Natabhairavi) - Though this is a sampoorna raga, this does not have a distinctive place as a Melakartha ragam. Yet another ragam to be listened to in violin!. From the famous Viribhoni varnam to "Upacharamulu" by Thyagaraja, there are many lovely songs in Bhairavi.  "Yaaro Ivar Yaaro" (Madurai Mani Iyer), "Balagopala" (Shri MD Ramanathan), "Enaati Nomu" (Smt Bombay Jayashri), "Keechu keechendru" - Tiruppavai (Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar / ML Vasanthakumari / KV Narayanaswamy)

Kalyani (M - 65) - Considered to be the Queen of the raga family, this is one ragam in which almost every vageyakaras have composed a song!. Many janya ragas having the surname as Kalyani(! :) to name a few - Hameer Kalyani, Hamsa Kalyani, Yaman Kalyani, Mohana Kalyani. It elicits a graceful rasa and provides ample scope for improvisation. The very famous Ethavunara, Pankaja lochana (Ranjani Gayatri), Bhajare re chitta (Bombay Jayashri, MDR - particularly neraval at "devim shakthim bheejothbhava...", "Kamalambham bhajare" (Sanjay Subramanyam), "Unnai allal" (Maharajapuram Santhanam). When I listened to a full fledged "Pankaja lochana" in Violin, I was totally immersed and was taken to a spiritual world and had to come back later to the materialistic world!. The famous RTP by ARI with Pallavi - "Sankarabharananai azhaithodi vaadi Kalyani Darbarukku" is very interesting to listen to!

I have personally loved listening to some of the violin accompanists of yesteryears - to name a few - Rajamanickam Pillai (MMI - Perfect team - Pazhani Subramaniya Pillai - Kanjira, Palghat Mani Iyer - Mridangam), Shri MS Gopalakrishnan (MS) - solo as well, Shri TN Krishnan (ARI, KVN),Shri VV Subramaniam, Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman to name a few!. They are gems!.

Playlist continues...

Signing off,

SPH

Life is all about expression

Life is all about expression - such a nice statement said by my friend. Ever since I heard this statement, there has been a thought in my mind to understand it better!. How profound it is! Not just expression... positive expression!!

Most of us engage in conversations with others. Only sometimes we add feelings to it. A conversation gets richer, healthier and beautiful when we add positive feelings to it. This in turn, builds a connection and an intimacy between people.

How many times would we have said, " I feel happy and positive speaking to you"!. "You made my day!", 

We are sometimes apprehensive of conveying positive and negative feelings(all the more).. 

When we express our self, I see some intrinsic benefits. We feel happy, make others happy, create a happy environment. You are happy, I am happy and thus WE are happy!.(Eric Berne style! :D)

The formula of conveying / expressing makes a difference. By saying you made a difference or I felt happy because you said this..et al makes people feel good and brings the relationship closer. And be genuine in saying so!. Not for the sake of saying.. Whenever you feel it is apt to express a positive feeling, do that and express as often as you can(from the heart!).

It is as simple as an emoticon - :-( :-) .. Depends on what side you pick!.. Being and staying positive is not only a nice way to live, but also the best way to live!. 

Whenever I get stressed, I prefer to do two things - Either walk or listen to soul stirring music or both!. Trust me, it does work! When I walk, I just don't walk - but thinking and thanking people who have spread positiveness in me!. Be grateful to people close to you and people who care for you. Thank them for any big/small change they have made in your lives.

After all, life is to express yourself and not to impress others!

Thanks, my friend for spreading positiveness in me!. Happy Birthday as you are celebrating your birthday this week!.

Signing off,

SPH

30 years down the ground(lane)!

Circa June 25, 1983. A magical moment and a proud moment for every Indian and more than that a very die hard cricketing fan.... India lifting the Prudential Cup stunning every one who watched it live, listened to it through radio. It looked like a fairy tale for me. As a young school going girl, with little-moderate knowledge on cricket, but loving the game. It was played on the house front portion by the siblings and their friends. As a ball picker | watcher, the interest grew naturally in me. Parents cemented interest in games if not play at least to follow.

The third edition of the World Cup was held in England with lots of expectations from the defending champions West Indies... There were the mighty Desmond Haynes, Holding, Logie, curly haired Larry Gomes, Marshall, Roberts. India had a daunting task of facing the mighty Windies in the finals. But, the path to finals was not an easy one. They had to fight against Aussies, Windies and the Zimbabweans.

In the Semi final, they had to beat the home team England to take berth in the finals. Whoa! What a herculean task for Kapil and his men. Little they might have even thought or the cricket lovers would have predicted from being an odds of 66-1 to finals!

Until Kapil scored an incredible 175 n.o., of 138 odd balls against Zimbabwe in the qualifying match, India was not at all looked up as a team that could emerge as a winner. This game made the world look at India! The Kapil Dev(il) created history by clinching the title. That proved as a turning point coming down from 17-5. Both the openers went out for duck and others just managed to open their accounts. And then on, winning continued...Chasing 183 was one of the easiest task for Windies. They must have thought it would have been simple. Richards scored 33 off 27 balls and perhaps must have been thinking to have an early dinner with his team 🤣 and some hits off the fence to score some quick runs.

Just when their thoughts sinked, India excelled in its fielding and bowling departments. Kapil's catch was something incredible. A loft to the on-side from Madan Lal's bowling was a game changer. Perhaps, he never thought the ball was a prey in the hawk eyes of Kapil. He ran. Ran. Ran and then the catch. I am sure we could not see any catch that can match this one. The devotion, commitment is something great from Kapil da!

Cricket has since then evolved to various formats and incorporated many new rules and regulations. Am sure any cricket loving fan will vouch for this series as one of the best(est)! And that catch as the most excellent catch of the century.

India might have won many Cups since 1983 - Asia Cup, World cup, T20, etc. But, there will be nothing as compared to this win that cemented cricket's primacy in India.