VANI JAIRAM – VERSATILE TO THE CORE
Vani Jairam, one of India’s most versatile voices, completed five decades as a playback singer. Born in 1945 to a Vaishnavite couple, the ace-singer had a long cherished career without any blemish, as from classical to carnatic rendition she had everything in her stride. Vani’s voice, range, diction and rendition need no introduction. The versatile […]
THE DOLL
I opened the door in a hurry. The low moaning coming to my ears was so annoying. Sarah was not to be seen in the vicinity. Sarah!. Sarah!. Where are you?. “Can’t you keep that little thing quiet for sometime”.? “But Ma’am”, stammered Sarah, “the child is running high temperature. It is unable to […]
Golu get-together galvanises Indians in U.S.
(Sridhar Sampath) After two years of hiatus, Hindus all over the USA celebrated Navarathri with great enthusiasm and devotion. The traditional golu by South Indian families and temples and Gujarathi Garbha events were back in full celebratory mode this year. Golu events in the USA are vastly different from those in India in scale, size […]
DEVOTEES ATTACH SIGNIFICANCE TO EKADASHI
There is absolutely no doubt that Ekadashi is considered to be an auspicious day in Hindu and Jain culture. It takes place on the eleventh day of the two lunar cycles of the month, Krishna and Shukla Paksha. Spiritually, Ekadashi symbolises eleven senses constituting five sense organs, five action organs and one mind. People observe […]
THE WELL
I live in an apartment in Chennai, a city which is dependent on rains for recharging its water resources. Monsoon failures result in acute water scarcity and severe drought. A couple of years ago, Chennai experienced the rainfall of the century, followed next year by a cyclonic storm with very high wind speeds that uprooted […]
MAHA SAMPROKSHANAM PERFORMED AT PERUMAL TEMPLE IN KAPPUR WITH APLOMB
Maha Samprokshanam was conducted successfully at Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Thirukoyil (temple) in Kappur on 12.9.22. We take this opportunity to urge you to join in this holy Kainkaryam and get the blessings of Perumal. The renowned temple is situated, adjacent to Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu. It is important to bear in mind that […]
BOOK REVIEW – THE NEW DAWN
The mother – daughter duo, Kamala Viswanathan and Sangeetha Subramanian have penned these fourteen short stories in “The New Dawn”, which dwells upon life in a Retirement Community.Each story is set at a steady pace, laced with emotions, introspection and clarity of purpose with a positive note. The unique feature of the layout is the […]
BAT CITY – AUSTIN
I had the pleasure of meeting my school mates, in Austin, USA, after forty five years, that brought nostalgic memories of our school days. It was evening and we decided to take a trek along the ‘Lady Bird Lake’, chatting happily. On our return, I was surprised to see people gathering in groups on the […]
Mahalaya Paksham
A word about Mahalaya Paksham (What is a paksha, Karunyaka pitrus, performing daily, Hiranya roopa sraaddha, Significant days, Mahalayam with homam, etc. etc.) A ‘paksha’ is 15 days. When the Sun enters ‘kanya rasi’ (Virgo) in Krishna paksha, the period is termed as ‘Mahalaya paksha’. It is said that our ancestors get Yama’s permission and […]
Kumbabhisheka Mahotsavam of Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnanamuneswarar Temple
The Kumbabhishekam of Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnanamuneswarar Koil, Singapore is set to take place on the 20th and 21st of August, 2022.On the first day of the program,Ganapati Homam, Poornahuti, Abhishekam, Deepa Aradhana, Vaastu Saanti and Prasadam distribution will take place in the morning session. In the evening, 1st Kala Yaga Pooja, Astadasa Kriyai, Netronmeelanam (Eye […]