Vishamakkara Kannan

Vishamakkara Kannan.mp3

Sri.Arunji singing about Lord Krishna very popular song from Thean Amudham 5.

DINDIGUL AMC – AN ABSORBING EXPERIENCE

Almost after four years since I completed my basic course, the opportunity came my way to attend the AMC course conducted by Shri. Arunji at Sirumalai Hills area off Dindigul.

I do not have words to express the amount of affinity the participants have on Arunji.The course started off with an inspiring invocatory bhajan from him and the sessions that made the participants get active and more involved in knowing each other. From the first day evening, we started observing silence. In the present times with mobiles ringing all the time and with long conversations, to remain silent!!!….no way, that is what I thought in the beginning. But I was proved wrong, because the participants including myself maintained absolute silence in the days following.

From the second day, our mornings started with Sookshma Vyayaam. Yoga faculty Shri.Ashokanji got the best stretches from our body. No pain No Gain was the simple mantra which he kept on telling while egging the participants to do better. Shri. Damotharanji took us through a refresher of Suryanamaskara and his reminder of “Short term pain, Long term Gain” lingers in our minds.

Shri. Arunji started teaching us the meditations from the second day. We were given meditations of varying durations. These meditations showed me how to understand oneself under different situations and to stay calm during turbulent times. In the end, these sessions helped the shift from our minds towards our hearts.

Evenings – Sweet evenings - that is what the entire audience felt. When you listen to Celestial Nectar on the audio system itself, it takes you to the heights of ultimate joy. But when the singer himself is singing for us live on all the three days, the joy knew no bounds. The pain and strains which we experienced during the day sessions got vanished instantly.

During the Satsangs, Arunji answered to the questions posed by the participants. All the answers given by Arunji enlightened our knowledge and took us to the next step in our search for excellence.

On the last day sharing of our experience was a moving experience. After attending this AMC,I felt that it was an absorbing and memorable experience for me. Thanks to the Course Director Shri.Arunji and his able team of AOL Teachers Shri.Damotharanji and Shri.Asokanji who together made it possible. Dindigul is known for its famous locks. The hosts literally locked us all in the space of warm hospitality and love.

-Arvind

Sri.Arunji delivering the Vote of Thanks at the AOL Silver Jubilee

Govinda aala Re

Little did we know that an extra ordinary experience was awaiting us at Coutrallam falls retreat which began on 21^{st h} August with a moving rendition by the Course Director Shri.Arunji invoking the blessings of our beloved Gurudev and Mother Nature.

For decades now the famous drizzle and waterfalls would come to a close by mid -August; but not so this year. It was a veritable boon for so many of us traveling to this most popular scenic spot from almost all districts of Tamil Nadu and some even from the neighboring State of Andhra Pradesh. We were blessed with the bounty of Mother Nature throughout.

Biggest surprise was awaiting us after we finished our satsang on the penultimate day when we were invited by a group of teachers to witness the Gokulashtami celebrations at the campus rekindling the spirit of Govinda aala re, aala zara matki sambhal Brijbala. It was a hit film song of the 60s picturised on Shammi Kapoor. Mythology has it that Lord Krishna, who was fond of yogurt and butter, used to steal them with the help of his friends – Govindas. The 'Dahi Handi' -- earthen pot filled with yogurt tied on a rope at a height -- is broken by groups of youngsters known as Govindas. Jubilant mood reverberated the air with 'Dahi Handi' chasers gearing up to grab the prize money.

Whenever we had a break, we seized the opportunity to dash across to the falls like kids. One night when we were in Five falls communicating in sign language, people around thought that we were deaf and dumb adding to the ambience of laughter. Right from the opening day when we went for nature walk in the Palace grounds in silence, we could experience the magnitude of silence of the high mountains and huge trees. The way nature expresses herself here in silence on the Agastiya Hills is great.

The flow of knowledge from Shri. Arunji, the satsangs, Janmashtami celebrations, meditation sessions, food and hospitality were beyond words. Everything flowed like the great Coutrallam Aruvi itself. This was my fourth Advanced Course. Memories of this Course will remain etched in my mind.

Kudos to the Tenkasi team - Asokanji, Naina govindraj and Murugan Raj for hosting such a memorable event.

Sarada

'CELESTIAL NECTAR 5'

“ThaenAmudham” (Celestial Nectar)-5, begins with an eloquent preface titled “Isai Thoranam” in Shri. Arunji’s divine voice that exudes grace and serenity.
“Vedathinulle”- a Bhajan on Lord Ganesha rendered with melody and devotion by Divya Raghavan, a well known devotional singer from Karnataka.
Shri. Arunji with amazing fervor and intensity portrays the emotion of Saint Vallalar’s “Thiruarutpa” “Petra Thaaithanai magamaranthallum” and blends it with his own all time popular Bhajan “Sankara Chandrasekara” finally concluding it with a reverberating Shiva Thandavam.“Krishnam Vandhe Nandhakumaram” with a prelude from Andal’s “Thirupavai” Ongi ulagalanda uthaman paerpaadi” will lift the listener to meditative bliss.
“Achyuta Kesava Govinda Madhava Deenadayal Prabhu Deenadayal” will ignite the plenteous energy in the listeners. I just love to dance standing on my toes whenever I hear this song. He has combined Bharathiyar’s lyrics “Kannan mugam marandhupoanaal – indha kangalirundhu payanundoo” wonderfully.
“Narayana Namo Narayana” in Raag “Hindolam” is a sublime rendition with utmost devotion. This beautiful bhajan helps one delve deep within and feel the bliss.
“Vishamakara Kannan” with excellent lyrics and a touch of hilarity is sure to be popular with everyone irrespective of age. It is in his own unique way that Shri. Arunji brings before our eyes the mischievous Krishna and his childhood pranks in the form of an enjoyable song.
“Vetrilayile Mala Kattunga” - a Bhajan on Anjaneya was created in Sri Lanka and the Bhajan has become very popular in “Thaen Amudham Satsangs”. The lyrics narrate the amazing qualities of Anjaneya and his benevolence. Smt. Shoba Chandrasekhar, a well known devotional singer, has rendered this duet.
“Buddham Sharanam” is a melodious Bhajan, sure to lead the listener on to an odyssey of spiritual bliss.
The Music by Shri.Sharavan is brilliant and is complementing well with the vocal singing. The chorus singing by Ms.Chitra Sherman and group is fabulous. The recording is excellent.
Some of the listeners have shared their appreciation:
“Celestial Nectar-5 is simply delectable to the ears and effortlessly mesmerizes the soul. I get to listen to it at home, on the road and at work.” - Ashok B. Chairman, KG Institute of Technology, Coimbatore
“It was a very pleasant experience for me to hear the new CD -Thenamutham-5. This is a masterpiece I would say. I enjoyed each and every minute of listening to the music. Each song flows one after another graciously like a cool breeze in a hot summer day. It made me to hum in the beginning, and then I was singing along and dancing at the end. The voice is so soothing and shiva thandavam took me into meditative state. In short, I will say listening to Thaen amudham is like seeing a Rainbow. It has got all the colours and flavours.” - Sabari R Kandasamy, IBM, Bangalore
“Iam an Engineer in Erode District. I was hooked on to the Tamil bhajans composed and rendered by Shri. Arunji for some years now. I am a lead singer of an orchestra and we do several concerts every month. In our last concert I sang a piece from Arunji’s just released album Thaen Amudham 5 and the reception from the audience was overwhelming. I felt truly blessed and at once called Shri. Arunji to convey my heartfelt feeling on the excellent team work including the duet with Smt. Shobha Chandrasekhar. This album deserves to reach out to thousands beyond the AOL family because each number has turned out a winner and as the expression goes in Tamil the whole experience is ‘janaranchakam’” - Ravikumar, Gobichettypalayam
“Your CD titled "Thaenamudham" was a real thaen, nectar for the Rasikas. With depth, you have used Divinity and sublimity, raising one from the mundane to a spiritual level of Bliss. Your enchanting voice, interesting mode of presentation together with your profound wisdom are the God given gifts.

The selected "sooladis" for each song are superb. Preparing you with rapt attention for what is in store to tickle your emotion to sore high.

"Ongi Ulagalantha" and "Shankara Chandrasekhara" are the perfect setting for goshti gaanam; "Deenadhayal Prabhu" and "Narayana Namo" are in class by themselves; "Buddham Sharanam" and Sree Rama Jaya Rama" – at which one is immersed in Bhakthi Rasa. Oh! Vishamakkara Kannan – at which you are next only to Gopis,

Rhythm and melody are the two facets of music that you have brought out excellently well, inspiring the listeners in the path of Bhakti.” - DR.J.K.K.Munirajahh
Chairman, JKK Group of Institutions, Kumarapalayam, T.N
Shri.Arunji has been raising bhajan singing from the level of a classical concert to a still higher musical genre through his “Thaen Amudham” series of Bhajan Albums. He has captured the attention of the new generation of listeners who were estranged by the rigidity of the classical approach. In his endeavor to bring exposure of Bhajan singing to the Tamil speaking populace Shri. Arunji has been successful in bringing an involvement in the listeners and with the blessings of Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, he has been able to bring a spiritual upsurge in Tamilnadu in his own humble ways. This is not an album that is heard once or twice and stored away. It caters to what people are looking for in terms of soothing melody and lyrics that sustains their eagerness for repeat listening, very importantly beyond any barrier of language.
JaigurudevM.Gopalakrishnan.

“Isai Sorpozhivhu” (Musical Discourse) by Sri.Arunji at Coimbatore

The movement of the Sun to the southern path is called “Dakshinayanam” and starts with the month of Aadi (16th July to 16th August). The month of Aadi is considered an auspicious month for poojas, prayers, listening to spiritual discourses etc. Marriages, house warming and other family functions are not conducted during the month and hence people find enough time and use it to spend on spiritual pursuits. Most of the temples and religious organizations conduct discourses, satsangs and Bhajans to bring people together in spiritual knowledge and devotion.Every year Sri Ayyappan Pooja Sangam, Coimbatore conducts “Aadi Utsav” a month long celebration of bhajans, discourses, and religious programmes. This year’s celebration began with Sri. Arunji’s “Isai Sorpozhivu” (Musical Discourse) on 16th and 17th of July and the topic was “Iraivan Koduthavaram Neengatha Selvam” (God’s grace is the everlasting wealth).A large audience both young and old generations thoroughly enjoyed two memorable evenings in the midst of knowledge, lively bhajans and blissful meditations.For the first time in an “Isai Sorpozhivu” the audience were spell bound by a Power Point presentation. It took everyone on a journey from the molecules present in the DNA of a plant to the Galaxy and the Milky Way. Sri.Arunji said that it is amazing to note that the human body is made of the same five elements of nature that are present in this universe. He took the opportunity to explain that deficiency diseases in the body like diabetes are caused by the high carbon content in the atmosphere. Deforestation has destroyed the natural habitat of wild animals and they are slowly encroaching human territory and he jokingly added that some of them had even taken human form. He requested everyone to join the Green Earth Movement and plant as many trees as possible to protect nature.
On the second day it was another wonderful power point presentation on the right attitudes one should inculcate. He gave some useful tips to couples to enhance their marital relationship at home. At this juncture he also highlighted the harm caused by the radiation from the cell phone towers. There are so many instances of domestic disharmony and discord and they were caused by the radiations emanating from the nearby Cell Phone Towers. He said even birds were well aware of the effects of the radiation that they avoid sitting on the Cell Phone Towers.Sri.Arunji said “Sathullathu than Swasam” (Breath is nutritious) Breath is energy and if it ceases life cease to exist. He spoke about the importance of “Pranayama” Meditations and “Sudarshan Kriya”. As it was Gurupurnima Sri.Arunji paid tributes to the Guru and mentioned about the significance of Gurupurnima. He also guided the audience to a blissful Full Moon Meditation.In between his speech he rendered Bhajans from “Thean Amudham” albums. When he sang “Ongi ulagalanda uthaman per paadi Naangal nam paavaiku chaatri neeradinaal” in his melodious voice, we felt that we were in a heavenly atmosphere. His “Naryayana Namo narayana” was very pleasing to the ears. Some of the Bhajans like “Dheenadayal prabho dheenadayal” and “ Vishamakara Kannan” made the audience dance in their seats. On the second day they could not resist the urge to dance and we saw many of them dance for the song “ Anandam Anandam” at the conclusion of the wonderful program.Earlier his 5th Bhajan Album under the “Thean Amudham” (Celestial Nectar) series was released in the presence of Sri.C.G.Venkataramanan, Sri.N.V.Nagasubramaniam, and Sri.Ramani Shankar, of the Ayyappan Puja Sangam., Dr.G.Bakthavatsalam Chairman of K.G. Hospitals received the first CD.This programme gave a right introduction to Art of Living amongst the population of learned audience consisting of Chartered Accountants, Advocates, Architects, Doctors,Engineers, Corporate Executives and Educationists. Here is a sharing from a Corporate Executive “The aadi month opening programme organised by Sree Ayyappan Pooja Sangam was very special to all devotees since it started with a wonderful discourse by Sri.Arun Madhavanji. His performance was something indescribable in words. He had mesmerized the gathering with his eloquent speech and sang bhajans with ease and involvement. He has a divine voice and exudes love and affection. S.Natarajan /Senior Manager- Public Relations. LMW Ltd, Coimbatore.”
Finally as to the title of the discourse “Iraivan Koduthavaram Neengatha Selvam” Sri. Arunji said “Neengatha Selvam” is not the material wealth which does not remain with any one for a longer time. The perpetual wealth god has bestowed on us is the smile, good health and the Attitude of Gratitude.

Jaigurudev

M.Gopalakrishnan.

SRI ARUNJI'S SATSANG & KNWOLEDGE SESSION AT COIMBATORE