June 2014 584115

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple 6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham MD 20706

Newsletter

Tel: (301) 552-3335 Fax: (301) 552-1204 E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.ssvt.org Vol 23, No. 6

June 2014

Last Printed Issue of the Newsletter (Electronic Versions will Continue)

As part of SSVT’s going green efforts, paper newsletter will be stopped effective June 1, 2014, unless specifically requested by email to [email protected] with the home address and subject line ‘Subscribe to e-Newsletter and Unsubscribe Paper Newsletter’. The benefits of subscrining to the electronic Newsletter include: ■■ Besides the monthly newsletter, frequently updates and special updates are also sent by email ■■ You can print out, in color, only the portions you are interested in ■■ Future newsletters will be available for you to into your Kindle, I-Pad, I-Phone, Android devices, etc. ■■ Video Clips of important functions will become available ■■ You will help the Temple in saving monthly printing and mailing costs

Vaikasi Vishakam Celebration Sunday, June 8 – Wednesday, June 11, 2014 Sunday, June 8

  9:30 am Ganesha Puja, Subrahmanya Moola Mantra Homam 10:30 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam with 108 milk kalasams, Shashti Kavacham Recitation, Bhajans, Archana   1:30 pm Deeparadhana & Prasadam Distribution

Monday, June 9

Tuesday, June 10

  9:30 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam   7:30 pm Subrahmanya Trisati Archana  8:00 pm Visesha Arati, Prasadam Distribution Sponsorship: Trisati Archana $11

  9:30 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam   7:00 pm Subrahmanya Sahasranama Archana   8:00 pm Visesha Arati, Prasadam Distribution Sponsorship: Sahasranama Archana $15

Wednesday, June 11 - Vaikasi Vishakam Day

  9:30 am Subrahmanya Moola Mantra Homam 10:30 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam   7:30 pm Thirupugazh Bhajans   8:00 pm Archana, Visesha Arati & Prasadam Distribution Sponsorship: Homam $25, Milk Kalasam Sponsorship $25, Homam & Milk Kalasam Sponsorship $35

SAMVATSARA MAHOTSAVAM Wednesday, June 25 - Friday, July 4, 2014

The Hindu Solar month of “Mithuna” (June 15 - July 15 this year) is very special in the history of our temple. It is in this month that many important milestones were reached like the Baalaalaya Prathishta, Bhoomi Puja, Prathistapana Kumbhabhishekams for the main Deities and more recently the Rajagopura and Jeernodhaarana Kumbhabhishekams.Hence in keeping with the tradition, the temple will be celebrating the Samvatsara Mahotsavam from Wednesday June 25 through Friday July 4. To compensate for the acts of omissions and commissions during the year and to rejuvenate the spirit of devotion and service in the minds of devotees such festivals are conducted in temples annually. During this annual ten-day festival there will be special Pujas to every Deity including special Homams, Abhishekams and Kalyana Utsavams. Devotees are requested to participate in these Pujas, especially in the Pujas to their favorite Deity (Ishta Devata) in large numbers, extend their generous physical, financial and moral as they have done in the past and make this festival a grand success. Wednesday June 25,2014   9:30 am Ganesha Puja, Anugnay, Dwaja Aarohanam, Mritsangrahanam, Vastu Homam, Ankooraarpanam, Raksha Bandanam,Mahaganapathy Homam, Sri Krishna Moola Mantra Homam 10:30 am Krishna Abhishekam (Rohini), Sarada, Andal, Navagraha & Praakaara Ganapati Abhishekams, Siva Parivaara Devata Aradhana (Siva Praakaara Ganapati, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Nandikeshwara, Dwaara Ganapati & Dwaara Subramanya)   5:30 pm Andal, Anantapanabha & Ayyappa Sahasranama Archana

Thursday June 26, 2014

Guru Transition

  9:30 am Vishnu Sahasranama Homam 10:30 am Subrahmanya & Krishna Abhishekams   5:30 pm Sarada, Venkateshwara & Krishna Sahasranama Archanas

This year Guru makes a transition from “Mithuna” (Zodiac sign Gemini) to “Kataka” (Zodiac sign Cancer) on Wednesday, June 18 according to the North American Panchangam.

  9:30 am Sudarshana Homam, Sri Sukta Homam 10:30 am Mahalakshmi & Sudarshana/Yoga Narasimha Abhishekams   7:00 pm Lalitha Sahasranama Archana to Parvati   8:00 pm Mahalakshmi Aradhana

Wednesday, June 18 & Saturday, June 21, 2014

  9:30 AM Ganapati Homam, Navagraha Homam with special emphasis on Guru 10:30 AM Navagraha Abishekham, Lord Dakshinamurthy Aradhana, Archana, Deeparadhana, Prasadam & Raksha distribution @ 12:30 PM Sponsorship: $ 25 per day Sponsors are requested to collect the Raksha (sanctified thread worn around the right wrist) from the temple after the Puja. The effect of this transition for various Rasis/Nakshatras will be posted on the SSVT website around first week of June.

Friday June 27, 2014

Saturday June 28, 2014

 9:00 am Suprabatham, Pancha Sukta (Purusha, Vishnu, Sree, Bhoo & Neela Sukta) Homam 10:15 am Venkateshwara Pariwaara Devata Aradhana, Venkateshwara Abhishekam   4:00 pm Rama Abhishekam (Punarvasu) (Continued on Page 3)

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Religious Calendar

(Important-Please Note: All Nakshtra & Thithi-based Aradhanas (as 22 Sun   9:30 AM Navagraha Homam & Abhishekam well as Aani Tirumanjanam) from June 25- July 4 have been included (Please note the change from Annual Calendar) under Samvatsara Mahotsavam Program) (Homam & Abhishekam on June 29 is cancelled)   4:00 PM Anantapanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi) Religious Calendar for June 2014 24 Tue   9:30 AM Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Krittika) 01 Sun   9:30 AM Mahaganapathi Homam & Abhishekam (Chaturthi)   7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (Mahapradosham) 10:00 AM Rama Abhishekam (Punarvasu) 25 Wed SAMVATSARA MAHOTSAVAM BEGINS (please 03 Tue   9:30 AM Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Shashti) see details) 05 Thu 10:00 AM Andal Abhishekam (Purvaphalguni) 26 Thu Amavasya (Mrigasira) 06 Fri   9:30 AM Ayyappa Puja (Uttaraphalguni) 27 Fri 10:00 AM Mahalakshmi Abhishekam 10:00 AM Parvati Abhishekam (Please note the change from Annual Calendar) 07 Sat   4:00 PM Srinivasa Kalyanam 30 Mon 6:30 PM Sarpabali (please see details) 08 Sun   9:30 AM Vaikasi Vishakam Celebration Begins (Please see details) 09 Mon   7:00 PM Anantapanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi) Religious Calendar for July 2014 10 Tue   9:30 AM Sudarshana/Yoga Narasimha Homam & Abhishekam (Swati) 04 Fri SAMVATSARA MAHOTSAVAM ENDS (please see   7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (Mahapradosham) details) 11 Wed   9:30 AM Vaikasi Vishakam Day – Celebration Ends (Please 05 Sat   4:00 PM Srinivasa Kalyanam see details) 06 Sun   9:30 AM Maha Sudarshana Homam (Sudharshana Jayanti) 12 Thu   7:00 PM Satyanarayana Puja (Poornima)(Temple and offsite) (please see details) 13 Fri 10:00 AM Anjaneya Abhishekam (Moola) 08 Tue   9:30 AM Utsava Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Vishaka) 10:00 AM Durga Abhishekam   7:00 PM Anantapanabha Abhishekam (Ekadasi) 15 Sun Mithuna Month Begins 09 Wed   7:00 PM Siva Abhishekam (Mahapradosham)   9:30 AM Mahaganapathy Homam (Sankatahara Chaturthi) 11 Fri   7:00 PM Satyanarayana Puja (Guru Poornima)(Temple and off   9:30 AM Ayyappa Puja site)   4:00 PM Ganesha Abhishekam (Sankatahara Chaturthi) 10:00 AM Durga Abhishekam 16 Mon   9:30 AM Utsava Srinivasa Abhishekam (Sravana) 10:00 AM Anjaneya Abhishekam (Moola) 17 Tue   9:30 AM Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Shashti) 13 Sun   9:30 AM Utsava Srinivasa Abhishekam (Sravana) 18 Wed   9:30 AM Guru Transition Day (please see details) 14 Mon   9:30 AM Mahaganapathi Homam (Sankatahara Chaturthi) 20 Fri 10:00 AM Sarada Abhishekam   7:00 PM Ganesha Abhishekam (Sankatahara Chaturthi) (Please note the change from Annual Calendar) 16 Wed Kataka Month & Dakshinayanam Begins (12 Noon)   7:15 PM Bhagawati Seva Bhagawati Seva Daily till August 15 21 Sat   9:30 AM Guru Transition Special Puja (please see details) (Rest of July in next Newsletter)

Sri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

DISCOURSES IN TELUGU ON BHAKTI YOGA June 2, 2014 through June 4, 2014, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Auditorium; Lanham, MD

Brahmasri Samavedam SHANMUKHA Sarma garu is a profound speaker and blessed with wonderful oratory skills on our Sastras, Puranas, Itihasas and Vedas. Sree Samavedam garu started his spiritual journey in his childhood with the aim of protecting the Veda Parampara and also sharing the wealth of knowledge that was gifted to us by our ancient sages and “Rushis”. Sri Samavedam’s part in protecting the the Veda parampara includes his Discourses, literature in different ways, Dance Ballets, Lyrics and many more. Some of his discourses includes – Siva Puranam, RudhraBhashyam, Siva Leela Vilasam, Sree Krishna Tathvam, Narayaneeyam, Lalitha Sahasra Nama Vybhavam, Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Stotra Bhasyamu, Soundharya Lahari and Bhagavatha Sapthaham and the list goes on. His first lecture on “Agni” at the Sivaramakrishna Kshetram in Vijayawada laid the foundation for the endeavor and after that he never looked back. He won many accolades and won many followers during his journey. Discourses in Telugu on Bhaagavata Saptaaham June 18, 2014 through June 22, 2014 7:00 - 9:00 PM on week days and 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM on week ends SV Lotus Temple; Fairfax, VA For more information, : Uma Potarazu: 301-670-5559 Vasanthi Aharam: 703-980-1629; Chandu Tadikonda: 732-689-2867

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HH Sri Paripoornananda Swamiji

Pravachanam on Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram June 16, 2014 through June 18, 2014, 7:00 - 9:00 PM Sri Siva Vishnu Temple Auditorium; Lanham, MD A brief bio-data of Swami Paripoornananda Saraswati Sreepeetham: A luminous Centre of Wisdom and Service inspiring people to follow Hindu Dharma and its Values. Sreepeetham was established by Swami Paripoornananda Saraswati in 1999 in Kakinada, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Swami Paripoornanada Saraswati, a renowned Saint, Scholar, and Visionary, was born on November 1, 1972 in a traditional family. After his formal education, he ed a Vedic School to study Krishna Yajurveda. He then gained in-depth knowledge of Vedic Philosophy under the tutelage of Pujya Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswathi who hails from the lineage of Sri Adi Shankaracharya.

Swami Paripoornanada Saraswati –

• Is a social activist as much as a spiritual leader. • He opposes the illegal conversion tactics to woo Dalits into other religions • He goes to Dalit communities encouraging them to return to the Mother’s lap. • Global Hindu Heritage Foundation/Save Temples works closely with the Swamiji to restore the Hindu pride. • He is well known for his discourses on Bhagavad Gita, Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram, Bhajagovindam, Dakshinamurthy, Atma Bodha, Upadesa Saram, Keno Upanishad, Ishavasopanishad, Sadhana Panchakam, Manisha Panchakam, and Nirvanashtakam. For more information, : This Pravachan will Prakasarao Velagapudi: 601-918-7111 Venkat, Adavikolanu: 301-249-2176 be in Telugu

(Continued From Page 1)

SAMVATSARA MAHOTSAVAM Wednesday, June 25 - Friday, July 4, 2014 Sunday, June 29, 2014

  7:30 am Ganesha Puja, Ekadasa Rudra Homam   9:30 am Ayyappa Pariwaara Devata Puja, Ayyappa Puja 11:30 am Siva Abhishekam   6:00 pm Ayyappa Sahasranama Archana   7:30 pm Ayyappa Padi Puja, Harivarasanam

Monday June 30, 2014

  9:30 am Mahaganapathi Homam, Sankshepa Ramayana Homam 10:30 am Ganesha & Rama Abhishekams   5:30 pm Ganesha, Siva & Rama Sahasranama Archanas

Tuesday July 1, 2014

  9:30 am Mahaganapathy Homam, Durga Sukta Homam, Pavamana Sukta Homam 10:30 am Ganesha Abhishekam (Chaturthi), Durga & Anjaneya Abhishekams   5:30 pm Durga, Anjaneya & Subrahmanya Sahasranama Archana   7:30 pm Nama Ramayanam and Vishesha Aarati to Sri Rama   8:00 pm Anjaneya Aradhana and Hanuman Chalisa

Wednesday July 2, 2014

  9:30 am Medha Suktha Homam, Navagraha Homam & Abhishekam 10:30 am Sarada, Andal & Navagraha Abhishekams   5:30 pm Andal, Anantapanabha & Ayyappa Sahasranama Archana

Thursday July 3,2014

  9:30 am Subrahmanya Moola Mantra Homam, Bhoo Sukta Homam 10:30 am Subrahmanya Abhishekam (Shashti), Andal Abhishekam (Purvaphalguni) & Krishna Abhishekam   5:30 pm Sarada, Venkateshwara & Krishna Sahasranama Archanas   6:30 pm Subrahmanya Bhajans, Vishesha Aarati to Subrahmanya

Friday July 4, 2014 (Concluding Day)

  9:30 am Lalitha Sahasranama Homam 10:30 am Siva, Parvati & Ayyappa Abhishekams, Nataraja, Sivagami & Anantapanabha Abhishekams (Aani Tirumanjanam) 11:00 am SreeDevi-BhooDevi-Srinivasa, Valli-Devasena-Subrahmanya, Parvati-Siva Kalyana Utsavams, Sarva Devata Rathotsavam, Vishesha Aarati to all Devatas, Acharya Sambhaavana, Paalikaa Visarjanam, Dwaja Aavaarohanam, Concluding Pujas of the Mahotsavam, Prasadam @ 1:30 PM Sponsorship: $ 15 per Sahasranama Archana $ 25 per Homam or Abhishekam $ 51 for all Pujas for a Deity $ 101 per day Puja $ 501 for the entire Samvatsara Mahotsavam

Sarpabali

Monday, June 30, 2014 Sarpabali is the worship of 55 divine snakes (including Siva’s Vasuki and Vishnu’s Adisesha) to ward off the bad effects of Sarpa Dosha, to help mitigate and eradicate the problems of skin diseases, to help people in search of life partners find suitable spouses, for progeny (Putra Bhaagyam) and for the overall well being of all. (Sarpa Dosha may be present due to harm done to snakes and other reptiles in the past births and due to other causes. Sarpa Dosha is recognized when all the other grahas in one’s horoscope lie between Raahu and Ketu. Sarpa Dosha is often a reason for late marriages). Sarpabali is performed about two or three times a year especially on “Aaslesha Nakshatra” days in the Hindu Solar months of “Kanya” and “Kumbha”. Turmeric powder, rice, milk, coconuts, fruits and flowers are the ingredients generally brought by devotees for Sarpabali. For the ingredients to be included in the Puja, they must be given to the priest before the Puja starts. Sankalpam for the Puja (when devotees can mention to the priest the problems to be overcome or desires to be fulfilled) will begin at 6:30 pm. Sarpabali Puja will be performed in the Kerala Tantric style from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

  6:30 pm Sankalpam (when devotees can mention to the priest the problems to be overcome or desires to be fulfilled).   7:00 pm Sarpabali Sponsorship: $ 25

MahaSudarshana Homam Saturday, July 5 – Sunday, July 6, 2014

Sudarshana, the holy discus (wheel) in the hands of Lord Narayana (Vishnu), is the embodiment of the power of Lord Vishnu in destroying the evil and protecting the righteous as he took the shape of the claws in Narasimha Avataram, arrows in Rama Avataram, axe in Parasurama Avataram and Chakra (wheel) in Krishna Avataram.Hence the worship of Sudarshana as a devata (deity) is extolled in Vaishnava agama Sastras. Worship of Sudarshana bestows good knowledge and good faculties as the syllable “Su” stands for “Good” and “Darshana” for “Vision”.SSVT will be conducting a grand Sudarshana homam followed by an abhishekam on Sunday, July 6, to enable devotees to obtain all the beneficial effects of the worship of Lord Sudarshana. Saturday, July 5 7:00 pm Anugnay, Swasthi Vachanam, Sri Viswaksena Aradhana, Sri Bhagavad Vaasudeva Punyahavachanam, Rakshabandanam, Kalasa Sthapanam, Mangalanusasanam, Theertha Prasada Viniyogam. Sunday, July 6  7:00 am Suprabhatam, Dhaama Pradakshanam, Yagasala Pravesham, Viswaksena Aradhana, Sri Bhagavad Vaasudeva Punyahavachanam, Arani Manthanam, Agni Prathishta, Sudarshana Sathaka Homam, Pancha Sukta Homam, Parivara Homam, Poornahuthi 11:00 am Mahasudarshana & Yoga Narasimha Abhishekam, Alankaram, Sudarshana Ashtaka Parayanam, Archana, Sengolam, Saathumurai Seva, Maha Mangala Arathi, Theertha Prasada Viniyogam Sponsorship: Yagnam: $51

Bhagawati Seva (During Kataka Month) Wednesday July 16 to Friday August 15, 2014

Dakshinayana marks the southern transition of sun for a period of six months. These six months are the night time for the Gods and Goddesses. The first of these six Hindu months is especially important for the worship of Devi (the Universal Mother). Bhagawati Seva which is worship of the Devi in the Kerala Tantric tradition, will be performed daily from July 16 through August 15 at 7:15 PM. All devotees are encouraged to participate by way of Lalitha Sahasranama recitation, Devi Stotram and Devi Namaskaaram. Sponsorship details are given below. Sponsorship: $ 31 per day $ 101 for all Fridays during the Kataka month $ 501 for the whole month

Obituary Dr. Janaki Balakrishnan of Baltimore, MD attained the lotus feet of The Lord on April 23rd, 2014 after a prolonged illness. We are deeply saddened by her loss. Janaki and her husband, R. Balakrishnan, have been involved with SSVT from the beginning. They are founder patrons of the temple. Memorial donations in Janaki’s name can be made to the Vision of Children Foundation, at http:// www.visionofchildren.org/.

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Employee and Volunteer Appreciation Day! Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 2:00 pm

Please us at the SSVT auditorium on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 2:00 pm to celebrate and honor our employees and volunteers. This is an important day where we appreciate all our employees and volunteers who make SSVT special. Our esteemed employees and their families look forward to your participation in making this day special for them. This day also provides a wonderful opportunity for existing and new volunteers to hear from committee coordinators about their goals for SSVT. Please come and make this a memorable event for all. Refreshments will be served.

SSVT EDUCATION PROGRAMS Learn More about Your Roots & Culture Saturday Programs Program

Time

YOGA FOR ALL Initial part is Gentle Yoga; everyone can do irrespective of age or physical condition and consists of easy stretches, breathing exercises and meditation

  7:30 am - 10:30 am

Learn Spoken Sanskrit (Intermediate Level II)

10:00 am - 11:30 am

Learn Spoken Sanskrit (Intermediate Level I)

12:00 pm -   1:30 pm

Sloka for Children Vishnu Sahasranamam, Gopika Geetam, Aditya Hrudayam

  1:00 pm –   2:00 pm

Learn Hindu Scriptures

  2:30 pm –   5:00 pm

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Bhagavatam – Dasamaskandham uttaradham – Balarama Leelas and Sanskrit Grammar explanations

  2:30 pm –   3:30 pm

•

Vaishnava Samhita – Srikrishnacaitanya Mahaprabhu Story

  3:30 pm –   4:00 pm

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Brindavana Mahatmyam

  4:00 pm –   4:30 pm

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Valmiki Ramayan – Ayodhyakandam

  4:30 pm –   5:00pm

Other Programs

1. Upanishad Series by Dr. Pradeep S. Kamath – June 15, 10:30am -12:30pm 2. SAT Classes Meets every month on the 1st and 3rd Sundays 3:00 – 5:00 pm – SSVT Education Room SSVT encourages students to for guidance on SAT preparation. Classes are organized into two semesters: September January and February - June. Email [email protected] to .

3. Balagokul Sloka Class On Sundays from 10:30 am – 12:00 noon. 4. Midweek Yoga at SSVT On Tuesday evenings – 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Given the interest of those who attend the Saturday morning session, this new mid-week Satsang has begun since September 24. Shri Sabnis will be leading this session. Please e-mail Shri Sabnis ([email protected]) if you plan to attend. Session will be adapted to the needs of attendees.

Homeless SEVA, Sandwich Program, June 14, 2014 ■■ Each month, on the 2nd Saturday, volunteers make sandwiches for the homeless. Every time, roughly about 1500 sandwiches are prepared and delivered to Martha’s Table, a DC shelter. ■■ SSVT encourages all devotees especially youth to participate in the program. Please be at the Temple at 10:30 am. Devotees can sponsor this program by donating $175 to SSVT. ■■ For additional information, please send email to Email: [email protected] , Tribhuvannath Mishra, Phone number-571.214.3198. 4

Twenty-Seventh Annual SSVT/Nadatarangini Music Festival and Homage to a Legendary Musician Sri Siva Vishnu Temple (SSVT) and Nadatarangini celebrated the 27th annual Thyagaraja and Purandaradasa music festival in Lanham, Maryland, on April 12-13, 2014 with the usual enthusiasm of yesteryears. This festival is the one that is eagerly awaited by the Karnatic music lovers of the national capital area year after year. The two-day music festival attracted hundreds of local students and teachers who participated in individual as well as group singing of Thyagaraja and Purandaradasa and many other composers. SSVT was observing special religious services as a part of the annual Sri Ramanavami celebrations that added special musical significance and a colorful ambiance at the temple premises. In addition to the individual singing by young and seasoned singers, there were special group performances by Nirmala Ramaswamy (Mysore Vasudevachar’s compositions), Jayamangala (Veena Kuppa Iyer’s compositions), Usha Char (Pattanam Subramanya Iyer’s compositions), Preetha Narayanaswamy (Veena ensemble), and the thriller –“Laya-Lahari” the percussion ensemble led by Anoor Dattatreya Sharma that literally shook the temple! This year was noted for its special musical homage to the memory of the doyen of Karnatic music, Sangeeta-Kalanidhi, Pabhushana, Dr. R.K. Srikantan who breathed his last at the ripe age of 94 at Bangalore. Srikantan performed until the very end and of his life and moved on to “Gandharvaloka” singing! As a token of respect to the departed singer, performer, teacher and torchbearer of the great tradition of “Thyagaraja-Guru-Parampara,” the main concert was rendered by his prime student Ganakalashree, M.S. Sheela. Just before the main concert, Nadatarangini ensemble (students of Guru, Usha Char) presented a special dedication song – a composition symbolic of “Guru-vandana.” The lyrics (by Dr. M.S. Nataraja) captured the essence of R.K.Srikantan’s musical life in three stanzas summarizing his “saadhana,” achievements, recognition he received and contributions he made to the world of Karnatic music during a span of nearly seven decades during which he rose to great heights and remained there reigning supreme. Mrs. Usha Char set the music as a “raagamaalikaa” (a garland of melodies) using Begade, Rasikapriya and Kalyanavasantha to match the lyrics and to pay rich tributes to the master of rich and melodious voice. The young students performed very well and received ovation from the audience. M.S. Sheela’s concert was something that her Guru would be proud of, a very traditional rendition of select compositions with great dedication. She aptly started her concert with an ugaabhoga of Purandaradasa in the raga Hamsadhvani, in praise of the Guru and quickly moved on to a varnam in the same raga. After a couple of keertanas, she gave a memorable rendition of Lathangi and Pattanam Subramanya Iyer’s composition “marivere.” The main piece was the “raagam-taanam-pallavi” in the lilting Hindola and raagamaalikaa swarakalpana at the end, followed by a vibrant tani avartanam.

The sahitya for the pallavi (Sree Rama, Jaya Rama, Raghu Rama, maam paahi, shritajana-paripaala) was most appropriate for the Ramanavami season. She also sang the most sought after “Shringapuraadheeshvari” in Kalyani, a song that she renders with great devotion and brings in very special melodic aspects of that raga. Kannada poet laureate, P.T. Narasimhachar’s famous “Krishnana kolalina kare” was a request song that came towards the end. Sheela was accompanied on the violin by the young genius, Kamalakiran who demonstrated his mastery as a mature accompanist far exceeding his age limit (he is a high school student and a very promising second generation Indian artist). Vidwan Anoor Dattatreya Sharma was his usual expert self, matching and complementing the vocalist and the violinist. Vivek Chellappa added energy to the percussion with his Khanjira under his Guru’s guidance. All in all, it was a great dedication to the departed Guru. Sheela was visibly emotional as she ed her Guru and it was a moving tribute at the end of the concert when she praised R. K. Srikantan and shared her experiences as his student. She ed her Guru as a disciplined musician and a great human being of high values and said that “even though he may be physical gone, he is with us for all times.” The finale for the two-day festival was yet another unique concert by a visiting artist from Bangalore, Sri Thirumale Srinivas. Thirumale was visiting the national capital area for the first time and he impressed the art- lovers quite a bit by his unique style and rich repertoire of rare compositions. He is a composer, teacher, and vocalist, one who is capable of playing multiple instruments. He was accompanied on the violin by yet another second generation artist of high caliber, Ranjani Atur. Anoor Dattatreya Sharma and Vivek Chellappa were on the Mrudangam and Khanjira respectively. Srinivas started off with a “Daru Varna” his own musical composition in the raga Valachi, using Purandaradasa’s lyrics. In addition to Thyagaraja’s compositions like, Raagasudharasa (in Andolika) and Evarikai (in Devamanohari), he amazed the audience with some rare compositions like Bhujaga Bhushana of Venkatesha Vittala (in Kedara), Rama Bhaktha of Vyasarayaru (in Janaranjani), Adahogalu Bedavo of Puranadaradasa (in Charukeshi), kanakadasa’s Dasanaagabeku (in Sreeranjani). His detailed rendition of Vasantha Bhairavi (Needayaraada) and a complex RTP in Vagadheeshvari stole the hearts of the rasikas. (The saahitya was very meaningful – “when melody, emotion and rhythm come together, the music becomes timeless!”) He briskly introduced a number of short pieces totally new to the audience (music composed by him using rare ragas like Marva, Gomedakapriya, Nagavalli and Bhujangini). Ranjani was an able accompanist and kept abreast with the challenging taala set by the vocalist while Dattatreya and Vivek added a lot of oomph to the rich concert, a grand finale, indeed! The volunteers of “Nalapaka” team fed the audience with sumptuous dinner on both nights keeping with the tradition of Nadataranagini. Three cheers to the combined efforts of SSVT and Nadatarangini and all the participating artists and volunteers.

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Cultural Events Date

Time

Event

Artist

June 7

5:00 pm

Vocal Concert

R.Suryaprakash – Vocal H.N.Bhaskar – violin Vijay Ganesh - mrudangam

ission Venue

Free

SSVT Auditorium

June 14 June 14

All Day

Sri Papanasam Sivan Festival

Multiple artists

Free

SSVT Auditorium

5:00 pm

Sri Papanasam Sivan Festival Evening Concert

Smt. Raji Gopalakrishnan – vocal Chi. Kamalakiran Vinjamuri – violin Sri. Jayanth Balasubramanian -Mrudangam

Free

SSVT Auditorium

June 15

3:00 pm

Special Carnatic Music Workshop

Smt. Raji Gopalakrishnan Part 1. Talk on Appreciating Carnatic Music Part 2. Devi Compositions by Thyagaraja, Dikshitar and G.N.Balasubramaniam

Free

SSVT Auditorium

June 21

5:00 pm

Namasankeerthan and Sampradhaya Bhajans

Kovai Jayaraman and Party

Free

SSVT Auditorium

1st Annual SSVT Sri Papanasam Sivan Festival Saturday, June 14th, 2014

On Saturday June 14th, 2014, SSVT will celebrate the first annual SSVT Sri Papanasam Sivan Festival. This great composer of the 20th century (September 26, 1890 – October 10, 1973), known as “Tamil Thyagayya” will be ed that day in music and dance, through his varied compositions such as varnams, padams, javalis, krithis etc. The festival is open to all rasikas of the greater Washington DC Metro area to attend and participate as individuals or groups. All music / dance items should be strictly limited to 5 minutes or less. Raga alapana or swara kalpana are not expected. Group participation is encouraged in order to accommodate a larger number of participants. Sri Papanasam Sivan used to go around the Mada streets surrounding the Kapaleeshwarar temple in Mylapore singing songs in praise of the deity. In emulating this practice, the SSVT event will start with a Giri Pradakshinam, a procession around the SSVT temple prakaram. All devotees and music participants are invited to in the procession singing of Sri Papanasam Sivan’s krithi Mooladhaara Murthy in Hamsadhwani, culminating in an archana at the Praakara Ganapathy Sannidhi. The program will begin with the Lighting of the Lamp in the auditorium, an introductory talk, followed by the presentations. The highlight of the evening will be a vocal concert by the leading musician Smt. Raji Gopalakrishnan. ission to the entire event is free. To for participation, you may follow this link: www.tinyURL.com/papanasam14 and provide the required registration information. Time slots will be allotted, as available, in the order the requests are received. The deadline for registration is June 1, 2014. Further program details and updates will be available via the temple notice board and website. For any other questions you may email: [email protected] or the event coordinating team: Nalini Iyer (703-620-6695), Preetha Narayanaswamy (703-794-2184), Prof. V. Sivakumar, and Narayanan Arakoni.

SRI SIVA VISHNU TEMPLE 6905 Cipriano Road Lanham, MD 20706

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