Hinduism

Thangamma Appacuddy: her religious refulgence

K S Sivakumaran

If Anagarika Dharmapala was considered a Buddhist revivalist and anti-colonialist in the South of Lanka, Aarumuga Naavalar in the North played a key role in reviving Saivaism during the period of British colonialism in the country. Both these personalities were subject to different interpretations and assessments because they were contributing in many ways for the religious awareness and social development.

My purpose here is not to write about these aspects but to introduce another woman personality from the North who is held in high esteem by Saivaites in the whole country. Her name is Thangamma Appacuddy (1925-2008).

Although I have met her and received her blessings in Thellipalai at the famous "Arul Miku Durgai Amman Aalayam", I am not competent to write about her. But there is a superb compendium of everything about her life, contributions and social work with colour and black and white and white photographs illustrating the attractively compiled and printed volume.

This worthy book very valuable to students and researchers are published by the All Lanka Hindu Congress at 91/5 Sir Chittambalam A Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 02. The compilers were Aaru.

Thiru Murugan and Kanthiah Neelakandan both from the "Akila Ilankai Hindu Maa Mantram."

Here again it is not going to be a review of the volume but to single out the only essay in English (The rest are all in Thamil) and give excerpts from that article. The title of the essay is "Novel Northern Star of Religious Refulgence" written by the Editor of "Hindu Organ", R N Sivaprakasam. It is always better to quote an authority than to ramble aimlessly on subjects which this writer is not well-versed.

Here are some excerpts judiciously selected to drive home the importance of the late Thangamma Appacuddy, the much respected personage that the North produced in the last century.

"Chelvi Thangammah Appacuddy is the notable nomenclature of the person who because of her characteristic qualities, specially the strength of divine humility has a claim to the spontaneous gratitude of the wide society that has been perennially enjoying her untainted service for four decades. There is thus a luxuriant light upon this captivating name that keeps on continuously indicating to the world-wide Thamil community the bright side of human life."

"Batticaloa was the starting point of this brilliant career as an accomplished teacher.

"This Convent School was again conducive to the flowering of disciplined feminist, encouraging youthful Thangammah to eschew the traditional inclination to be involved in wedlock. Celibacy, though not a sine qua non for a religious life, yet is certainly a sure basis for higher spiritual service. And to confirm this determination, the next assignment was in the Fatima Thamil School, a school of the Muslim denomination in the metropolis. Here in an ideal setting, conveniently away from the calls of her kin and within reach of facilities for further studies...'

"South Indian scholars of Saiva Siddhantha philosophy were among the first to recognize the rare talent that has made her a household word in Sri Lanka."

"The learned lecture deliv ered at the High School in Chithambaram that stands as a stone-like symbol of the Great Naavalr's remarkable contribution in South India to the steady growth of Saiva Renaissance, brought this Nightingale of Sweet Senthamil into the limelight in Thamilaham."

Readers are requested to read the rest of the article plus all other articles that are included in this volume to understand aspects of Saiva Siddhantha philosophy

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