Eighth Balar Chithirai Kalai Vizha

May 29, 2010

The "Mylapore Trio" of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation celebrated the Eighth Balar Chithirai Kalai Vizha, an exclusive children's Tamil festival in which more than 500 children and youth participated in various competitions. The valedictory function was held on April 30, 2010, at Sri Dakshinamurthy Auditorium, Chennai.

'Palkalai Vitthagi' (Lifetime Achievement Award) was conferred on Dr. R Jagadambika, Ph.D (Former Principal & HOD of History, Sri Sarada College for Women, Salem) for her contribution to various fields including academics, administration and arts. The Fourth Year 'Patron - Smt. R Nagammal "Swarna Kalas" Rolling Trophy' was presented to Bharatha Kalalayam (Chennai), Guru Hemalatha Ramachandran for participating in large numbers. 'Arungkalai Vitthagi' award was conferred on ES Sruthi Siva for winning laurels in various Fine Arts & Academic Arts.
The Bombay Sisters, C Lalitha, distributed various prizes and Revathy Sankkaran presented special prizes to nearly 150 participants. The guests lauded the efforts of the Trio & the Foundation in perpetuating Tamil tradition and culture, especially in Mylapore.

The evening started with "Dhesa Pattru," a thematic program of music and dance, based on old patriotic songs; Conceived, directed and executed by the Trio and presented by "Sakala Kala Valli" Revathy Sankkaran. Soul stirring music was rendered by the Foundation children. The stage was aesthetically set with traditional mats, shells, with the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in black on centre stage with the National Flag as backdrop. The statue was brought from Khadhi Gramodhyog, repaired and painted by the Trio, Revathy Sankkaran, along with Foundation children, under the guidance of Surendranath. A hand charka (wheel) and box charka were brought from Thakkar Bapa Vidhyalaya and placed on stage for the audience to view – a new treat indeed. Three little girls were dressed up in tri-colour and danced to an old popular tune. The Trio enjoy promoting cultural activities with support of likeminded parents, friends and well-wishers.
The Mylapore Trio also organized a spiritual sojourn at Thennangur and Kanchipuram, as a part of their 6th year summer camp Bala Gurukulam on 16th and 17th of May 2010. The group consisted of 15 members, which began its journey by worshiping Lord Vishnu at the Uttiramerur Temple. Being a historian, Dr. Amarnath explained the historicity of the famous Uttiramerur Inscription, which talks about the "Kudavolai System" - the origin of democracy. At Thennangur, they performed the celestial wedding of Lord Srinivasa and His consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi at the Panduranga Rukkumayi Mandir on the auspicious day of Akshaya Truthiyai. Revathi Sankkaran, by virtue of being the eldest person, performed the Sankalpam and rituals, offered silk garments to the deities. The foundation children led by Srinithi, rendered beautiful Panduranga abhangs and bhajans during the Kalyana Vaibhavam, enchanting the tens of devotees who had gathered there. The Akshaya Truthiyai day is the Janma Avatar day of Lord Panduranga. It is not for just buying gold but for doing charity of various kinds. For the first time in the history of the temple for the last 15 years, the moolavar (main deities) had been decorated as Panduranga and Rukkumayi, as is seen in Pandaripur. It was amazing to see the South and the North Indian style of temple architecture engraved with fiber glass paintings related to Vaishnavism. In the evening, they visited an old age home in the Thennangur village and joined in the bhanjans and namavalies with the elderly.

The next day, the group proceeded to Kanchipuram, had a good darshan of Goddess Kamakshi Amman, Lord Ekambareswarar, Kumarakottam and Varadharajaswami. The children rendered appropriate songs in the temples. The group was enlightened with the history, significance of the temples, art and architecture by the Trio, who cherish sharing spiritual and philosophical information, which had been imparted to them by their foster parents. The group also visited the Kanchi Mutt which is one of the oldest Mutts in the country. It was a memorable and unforgettable experience to one and all, leaving them looking forward to more such experiences in future.