Sri Ramanavami and Margazhi Masam Bhajana Ghosthi -Cherishing my Childhood Memories
My childhood memories revolve around Marriam Timma Sagara-MTS Colony Karwar Road Hubli. I have lots and lots to share. One such is Sri Ramanavami and Margazhi Masam Bhajana Ghosthi. Margazhi month usually begins on December15/16 every year ends either on following January 12 or 13th.
This bhajana group consists of Chief exponent in Bhajans-Late Shri Bagvathar Subramanian mama, late Srinivasan mama (fondly called cheenu mama) , late Shri P.Krishnamaurthy mama (known as PK mama),They are the main singers and rest are Nadamuni mama, Late Shri S.Venkaraman mama, Sugandhvanam mama, late Sri Gopinath mama who used to render melodious Purandara dasara kritanas. My faourite being "Guru purandara darase..", "Ranga ninna kondaduva mangala swara", "Ranga bharo.." and many more
All addressed fondly as 'Mama' with affection !! In fact it was PK mama who initiated the Sri Ramanavami celebrations in the month of March/April which would conclude with "Sita Klayana Utsavam ". Similarly, during Margazhi Masam Bhajana Ghosthi would commence from December 15/ 16th and conclude with "Radha Kalyanam" and not "Andal or Godha kalyanam".Although, recitation of Thiruppavai would be the main course of the celebrations. The Bhagavathar bhajana ghosti culture was trained under late Shri Bagvathar Subramanian mama, late Srinivasan mama which was collectively prcaticed. One
This piece of information is shared by my father Shri T. Rangarajan. This is to the his best of knowledge, if anyone knows who actually started this practice, please do post the same. Fortunately or unfortunately we (students attending kendriya Vidyala school) use to have Half Yearly Examination coinciding with Margazhi Masam. My mother would wake us up by 4:00 am to study. Morning hours during the December month would be pretty cold in Hubli. Hubli also called Hubballi which is popularly known as commercial centre or business centre is in the northern part of Karnataka state. Up with monkey caps and warm clothes, shivering hands holding books and lips muttering.....waiting for the bhajana ghosti to come near our house , so that we could join them.
Well, at the same time the bhajana ghosti would start from Ramurthy Mama's house. He also passed away recently. May his soul rest in peace!! In fact the Margazhi Masam bhajana would take place in his house. The gosti headed by Shri Subramanian Mama well known by all as Bhagavathar Mama. It would be a group of 20-30 males and children going around the both the colonies (MTS Colony divided into 2 and 3 colonies). It would take around one hour to return back with halts in between. Ladies would offer Rice, Jaggery and so on.
Again, it is the practice that-one devotee member form the gosti would sponsor Mahaprasadam. The gosti would halt at the devotee member's house-Padapuja would be done to all the members of the gosti (Washing feet). Washing feet are considered as getting rid of one's ego. The gosti is considered as Devathas visiting the devotee's member's houses.
We would join the gosti on their return to Ramurthy mama's house. Again, here Bhajan's would be sung followed by Thiruppavai pasuram. Final offering of Mahaprasadam and distribution. We all would carry small steel bowls from home and relish hot sweet smelly Sakarai Pongal. Some days, we would get two prasadams-Venn Pongal and Sakarai Pongal. Sometimes, more depending upon number of devotees offering Mahaprasadam. During this month Mahaprasadam would be our morning breakfast. Then, rush to school to write exams.
On one Sunday, they would be Divyanama Bhajana that would start in the evening and go whole night followed by Radha Kalyanam. Our colony would be pastured with colorful silk saris worn by women, colorful flowers, fruits and other Puja items. The Ramadas Nadaswaram party would play nadaswaram. Though Ramadas and the party were not exceptional nadaswaram artists but they were monopolies no other go.
Now, all this has remained only as never fading sweet memories with me though one by one all the devotee members of the ghosti are disappearing from this world.........
This bhajana group consists of Chief exponent in Bhajans-Late Shri Bagvathar Subramanian mama, late Srinivasan mama (fondly called cheenu mama) , late Shri P.Krishnamaurthy mama (known as PK mama),They are the main singers and rest are Nadamuni mama, Late Shri S.Venkaraman mama, Sugandhvanam mama, late Sri Gopinath mama who used to render melodious Purandara dasara kritanas. My faourite being "Guru purandara darase..", "Ranga ninna kondaduva mangala swara", "Ranga bharo.." and many more
All addressed fondly as 'Mama' with affection !! In fact it was PK mama who initiated the Sri Ramanavami celebrations in the month of March/April which would conclude with "Sita Klayana Utsavam ". Similarly, during Margazhi Masam Bhajana Ghosthi would commence from December 15/ 16th and conclude with "Radha Kalyanam" and not "Andal or Godha kalyanam".Although, recitation of Thiruppavai would be the main course of the celebrations. The Bhagavathar bhajana ghosti culture was trained under late Shri Bagvathar Subramanian mama, late Srinivasan mama which was collectively prcaticed. One
This piece of information is shared by my father Shri T. Rangarajan. This is to the his best of knowledge, if anyone knows who actually started this practice, please do post the same. Fortunately or unfortunately we (students attending kendriya Vidyala school) use to have Half Yearly Examination coinciding with Margazhi Masam. My mother would wake us up by 4:00 am to study. Morning hours during the December month would be pretty cold in Hubli. Hubli also called Hubballi which is popularly known as commercial centre or business centre is in the northern part of Karnataka state. Up with monkey caps and warm clothes, shivering hands holding books and lips muttering.....waiting for the bhajana ghosti to come near our house , so that we could join them.
Well, at the same time the bhajana ghosti would start from Ramurthy Mama's house. He also passed away recently. May his soul rest in peace!! In fact the Margazhi Masam bhajana would take place in his house. The gosti headed by Shri Subramanian Mama well known by all as Bhagavathar Mama. It would be a group of 20-30 males and children going around the both the colonies (MTS Colony divided into 2 and 3 colonies). It would take around one hour to return back with halts in between. Ladies would offer Rice, Jaggery and so on.
Again, it is the practice that-one devotee member form the gosti would sponsor Mahaprasadam. The gosti would halt at the devotee member's house-Padapuja would be done to all the members of the gosti (Washing feet). Washing feet are considered as getting rid of one's ego. The gosti is considered as Devathas visiting the devotee's member's houses.
We would join the gosti on their return to Ramurthy mama's house. Again, here Bhajan's would be sung followed by Thiruppavai pasuram. Final offering of Mahaprasadam and distribution. We all would carry small steel bowls from home and relish hot sweet smelly Sakarai Pongal. Some days, we would get two prasadams-Venn Pongal and Sakarai Pongal. Sometimes, more depending upon number of devotees offering Mahaprasadam. During this month Mahaprasadam would be our morning breakfast. Then, rush to school to write exams.
On one Sunday, they would be Divyanama Bhajana that would start in the evening and go whole night followed by Radha Kalyanam. Our colony would be pastured with colorful silk saris worn by women, colorful flowers, fruits and other Puja items. The Ramadas Nadaswaram party would play nadaswaram. Though Ramadas and the party were not exceptional nadaswaram artists but they were monopolies no other go.
Now, all this has remained only as never fading sweet memories with me though one by one all the devotee members of the ghosti are disappearing from this world.........
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