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Sketching the sublime
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Periapuranam in Pictures is a compilation of sketches and paintings on incidents associated with the Nayanmars by Carnatic musician and painter, S. Rajam.
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IN THE Tamil month of Chithirai, the Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore, celebrates the Aruvathimoovar, paying tribute to the 63 Nayanmar saints. Sekkiazhar, a chief minister during the reign of the Cholas, sung in praise of the 63 saints, including two women, in the Periapuranam.
Noted Carnatic musician and painter, S. Rajam, an old resident of Mylapore, has been doing research on this subject for the past 15 years. The result is a book, Periapuranam in Pictures, which is a compilation of sketches and paintings on incidents associated with the Nayanmars. It has been published by N. Mahalingam for the International Society for Investigation of Ancient Civilisations.
Rajam's drawings tell the story of Sundarar and Gnanasambandar, among others, and their devotion to the Lord. They were considered the forerunners of Carnatic music.
Rajam narrates the touching story of Pusalar, one of the saints, whose wish was to build a temple for Lord Shiva. Since he did not have the means to build it, he dreamt about it stage by stage, till it was completed. He even set a date for the inauguration!
Around the same time, the Pallava king, Rajasimha had built the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram and had set the same date for its inauguration. Legend has it that the Lord appeared in the king's dream and asked him to change the date, as He had to enter Pusalar's temple that day!
Such was the greatness of the simple devotee!
The Aruvathimoovar festival coincides with the opening of the Chithirai Chatiram, in South Mada Street. Vinayaka Mudaliar, a wealthy philanthropist, donated his huge collection of rare Tanjore paintings, old kolu dolls, chandeliers, rasagundus and paintings of the Nayanmars. The exhibition is open for three weeks.
RUPA GOPAL
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