It is Margazhi, the climate is chill and Carnatic music can be heard everywhere.
Another very special thing about this important month of the year is chanting and listening to Andal’s Thiruppavai.
Scholar Embar R Kasturi, son of Embar V Rangachariar and R Vijayavalli, a software engineer, system analyst, graphics expert and a techno-linguist by profession, gave up everything and took up Harikatha since 2008 and renders Thiruppavai upanyasam.
This year, he is doing so at two locations in West Mambalam.
What is an even more engaging point to note is that Kasturi belongs to the lineage of Embar, the younger brother and disciple of Saint Ramanuja.
In recognition of dedication and devotion in the field of divine music, Embar Kasturi was honoured with titles like Asthana Vidwan of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Dharmathma award from Sringeri Vidya Samithi, Sangita Kala Rathnam, Sangita Kala Bharathi, Pravachana Tapasvi, Abhinava Sampradaya Sangeetha Pravachana Nirupama and Goda Gana Mani, to name a few.
In the midst of his hectic schedule, Embar Kasturi happily spent some time with this reporter and briefed him about the great poem and more.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: What is the significance of chanting and listening to Thiruppavai?
A: To quote Swami Ramanuja’s words ‘If there is anyone who can unearth all that is hidden in Thiruppavai lines and understand them, it is none but Andal.’
Q: Then, what can it bestow on a simple and an open–minded person?
A: It can ignite the hidden spiritual divinity and bestow on the listener bliss divine,vision divine and form divine, said Andal herself.
Q: Is the poem simple to understand and learn?
A: Certainly, Thiruppavai is simple yet magnificent, down-to-earth and yet transcendental, orthodox and paradoxical. It is one such work that is yet to be decrypted to its fullest possibility. Any work of literature that has withstood the test of time, the tests being its capacity to convey, entertain, enthral and instil sublime divine emotion (bhaava) is just not a composition but an unpremeditated, spontaneous outpouring of a divine nature which has come down to the mundane world from a divine source and is more than just literature. It is to this category Andal’s Thiruppavai belongs to.
Q: About your career in Harikatha and upanyasam.
A: After I had a successful business career, I took up Harikatha as my career following in the footsteps of my forefathers. For over a decade, I have been performing Harikatha and upanyasam all over the State with the wholehearted support of my family.
Q: A few words about your guru(s).
I learnt Carnatic music from guru Sri Burra Seetharama Sastrygaru in Andhra Pradesh where my family resided long ago and later on, I had the great opportunity to undergo tutelage under legendary musician Madurai T N Seshagopalan sir. Both the gurus developed and encouraged me a lot which helped me to take up music as a career.
Q: We heard that you are one among the popular team of ‘Thirumala Brothers’. A few words about that.
A: Acharya Kaliyan Vaanamaamalai Jeer Swami conferred the title ‘Thirumalai Brothers (Sahodarargal) on me and musician P B Shrirangachari when we performed duet vocal concerts at various places and accompanied senior musicians. Jeer swami was overwhelmed by one of our performances and gave us the title. We accepted his blessings and considered it as a prasadam of Lord Venkateswara.
Q: Where are you performing Thiruppavai upanyasam this year?
A: Till 15 January 2019, I am rendering at Sri Kothandaramar temple, K R Koil Street (near Madley subway) daily between 6.30 and 7.45 pm and at Soundarya Valli Flats, 1, Rajaji Street, West Mambalam, between 6.45 am and 8 am.
Q: Do you take classes on the subject?
A: Ever since I gave up my business profession, I continue to do the service of my forefathers who had been imparting divine music to generations.
In my house at Brindavan Street Extension in West Mambalam, I take daily classes on Divya Prabhandam, Bhagavatham and other Vedic sessions apart from Thiruppavai. A lot of children are learning our tradition with interest and I feel very happy to do this till my last breath.
Embar R Kasturi can be reached at 85258 92293.