Hinduism

“Navalar Natpanimandram” in collaboration, assistance and co-operation of Sri La Sri Navalar Sabai has made elaborate arrangements to erect statues of Sri La Sri Arumuga Navalar in certain prestigious colleges like Royal College, Colombo, Colombo Hindu College, Ratmalana Hindu College, Colombo Ramanathan Hindu Girls’ College, Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam (Hindu Ladies College), Colombo Vivekananda Mahavidyalam, Modera Hindu College and several other colleges in Colombo.

In fact, Sri La Sri Arumuga Navalar statues were done by the world renowned sculptor Veerasamy, Trichy, South India. Karunai Anandan, a great philanthropist and a social worker has fantastically and fabulously spent a large sum of money for this remarkable work of erecting of statues in these schools.

Even, when the Tamil Research Conference was held in 1968, Arumuganavalar statue was not erected. Further, Navalar Sabai was formed in 1969 and even after that also no one thought of erecting a statue for Navalar. But, Karunai Anandan took all possible steps to erect this statue particularly in several schools in Colombo. Undoubtedly, he is a man of vision, mission and foresight and he should be highly commended for this meritorious act.

Sri La Sri Arumuga Navalar who was born in 1822, was one of the early revivalists of Hindu Tamil tradition in Sri Lanka and India. Arumuga Navalar, Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam, Sir Waitilingam Duraiswamy and several others were responsible for reviving and reforming native traditions that had come under a lay period of dormancy and decline during the previous 400 years of colonial rule by various European powers. Sri La Sri Arumuga Navalar was influential in creating a period of intense religious transformation among Tamils in India and Sri Lanka preventing a large scale of conversion to protestantism.

Poet

Further, Arumuga Navalar belonged to an elite Vellala caste and grew up in the Tamil dominated regions of Sri Lanka. His home was in Nallur in the Jaffna Peninsula.

Arumuga Navalar’s father Kandar was a Tamil poet provided a foundation in Tamil literature to him. His mother Sivakami was well known for her devotion to Lord Shiva. He studied the Indian classical language, sanskrit as well as Tamil grammar.

He also studied English in a Christian Mission School. On completion of his studies he was asked to stay at the Jaffna Wesleyan Mission School to teach English and Tamil. The Missionary School principal, Peter Percival also used him to assist in the translation of Bible and other Christian literature.

Arumuga Navalar worked with Percival from 1841-1848 during which time he formulated his ideas as to what it meant to be a modern Hindu under the influence of a progressive, secular western culture based on Judeo-Christian values.

Through his weekly sermons at Hindu Temple, he also formulated a theory to purify local Tamils of all practices that did not find sanction in a written document such as Vedas and agamas.

When there was a conflict as to Percival’s Version and another competing translation Arumuga Navalar travelled to Madras to defend Percival’s version. In 1848, he founded his own school and finally parted company with Percival.

The school he founded was called Saivaprakasa Vidyasala. In this school he developed his teaching methods based on the exposure he had with the Missionaries.

He also wrote the basic instruction materials for different grades in Saivision. This school system was duplicated later in Chidambaram in India in 1865. This school system produced numerous students who had clear understanding of their religion, rituals and theology and still able to function in a Western oriented world.

While he was in India he published two texts, one was an Educational Teacher’s Guide and Saundarya Lahami, a poem in praise of Goddess Saraswathi. His press was set up in a building that was donated by a Merchant of Vannarpanai.

Publications

The initial publications included Bala Pothini in 1850 and 1851. This was followed up by a third volume in 1860 and 1865. He also published a book on Essence of Saiva Religion. His first major literary publication appeared in 1851. In 1853 he published Nakkirar’s “Thirumuru Artupadai” with his own commentary. It was a devotional poem to Lord Muruga.

Arumuga Navalar produced approximately 97 Tamil publications, 23 were his own creations. Eleven were commentaries and forty were editions of those works of Grammar, Literature and Theology that were not previously available in print.

Indeed, Sri La Sri Arumuganavalar was a revivalist and a erudite scholar in Tamil and religion.

Marking Colombo Tamil Sangam’s seventieth anniversary

The Colombo Tamil Sangam which was established in 1942 for the promotion, propagation and development of Tamil language, Tamil literature, Hindu religion and Hindu culture by great educationists, Tamil scholars, eminent lawyers, judgers and philanthropists completed its treasured seventy years (70) recently.

To mark this glorious completion of the treasured seventy years and the tremendous service Dr M Kathirgamanathan, president of the Tamil Sangam has rendered for the last two years for the improvement of Tamil Sangam in various ways, a special commemorative stamp was released by the philatelic bureau, Department of Posts, Sri Lanka recently with the profound assistance and co-operation and support of the patron of the Tamil Sangam Professor A Sanmugathar, president Dr M Kathirgamanathan, General Secretary A Ragupathy Balasitharan, Treasurer C Thimchelvan and co-ordinator N Kamnai Ananthan. The Postal Ministers’ co-ordinator Jayantha Mallimarachchy participated at this function.

Ever since Dr Kathirgamanathan was elected as president of this Sangam (2010-2012) he had undertaken several construction works. He was responsible for the construction of five roomed hostel, he has given a facelift to the Sangam, the 57th Lane was renamed as Colombo Tamil Sangam Lane, Sangata Tamil Journal (Quarterly) is being produced and edited by him, literary has been computerized, a new flag for the Sangam has been introduced, Thiruvalluvar, Bharathy and Literary Vizha were held by inviting Tamil scholars from Tamil Nadu, Sri La Sri Arumuga Navalar conference was held, funds were donated for the poor children in Vanni area.

In fact, the literary of the Tamil Sangam was modernized at the cost of two lakhs by the untiring efforts of Dr M Kathirgamanathan and the Treasurer Chelva Thiruchchelvan and several others. Indeed, Thiruchchelvan should be highly commended for the fantastic and fabulous financial support he renders for the improvement and betterment of the Tamil Sangam. Further, Dr Kathirgamanathan is taking all possible steps to hold Sri La Sri Arumuga Navalar Vizha, debate competitions among the students of Colombo District schools.

Tamil Sangams

According to great historians it is believed that there were three Tamil Sangams in India. The first Sangam is said to have been comprised 549 poets. The second (Middle) Sangam was in Kavadipuram which also submerged and washed away by the enraged sea. It had 3,700 poets. The third (last) Sangam lasted 1,850 years. It consisted 449 poets. The president of this Sangam was the great poet Nakkirar.

In fact, the Tamil language and literature have a long history and they have been nourished and enriched by the literary works of great poets like Subramania Bharathy, poetess Avaiyar, poet Thiruvalluvar, poet Kalidas, poet Kumban and poet Ilango and several others. Even the great epics like Ramayana and Maha Bharatha are of timeless and spaceless in quality. All these great epics have absorbed India’s cultural heritage, made it their own, enriched and given a universal dimension and significance.

Further, the great kings like Chola, Chera, Pandyas who ruled the whole of South India, established Tamil Sangams to spread the greatness and glories of Thirukkural, Ramayanam, Silappadikaram to the people to enable them to lead a dharmic way of life.

Even the great patriot like Swami Vivekananda and the first Governor-General of India and Author of Ramayanam and Maha Bharatham Sri Chakkaravarthy Rajagopalachariyar have spoken eloquently on the greatness and richness of Tamil literature. The great Saivite and revivalist Sri La Sri Arumuga Navalar, Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam, Sir Waitilingam Duraiswamy, Hindu Board Rajaratnam and several other sacrificed their lives for the protection and development of Tamil language, Tamil literature, Hindu religion, Hindu culture when Sri Lanka (Ceylon) underwent a terrible time in the early past of 18th and 19th centuries due to the western conquest multi-faceted in manifestations and consequences – political, economical, cultural and religious.

Values and virtues

Furthermore, even great patriots like Ven Anagarika Dharmapala and Ven Gunananda Thera and Sri La Sri Arumuga Navalar defended the values and virtues of their faith, Sinhala, Tamil language and Tamil literature and opened the eyes of the people to the heritage that had passed down to them by their forebearers.

“Sri La Sri” Arumuga Navalar achieved his objective through the transformation of the hearts of the people by way of establishing Hindu schools for both boys and girls.

Blessed with a dialectical skill and a sharp logician mind, an oratorical ebullience combined with fearless and courageous mind he was able to accomplish and achieve his objective and build round him a massive following who subscribed to the principles he extolled. Anyone who came within his magic appeal imbibed his crusading spirit and as moved by his lofty integrity and intense language and religious zeal.

Services

Undoubtedly, Dr M Kathirgamanathan, as president of the Tamil Sangam for 2 years has done yeoman service with his dedication, devotion and commitment. Further, he discharged his responsibilities unsurpassed distinction and unsullied honours to the greatest satisfaction of everyone. Indeed, his period is a golden one and he deserves our gratitude and congratulation for all what he had done to give name, fame and global dimension.

As such, may the Almighty bless the president Dr Kathirgamanathan and members of the Colombo Tamil Sangam abundantly to make this literary, religious and cultural organization to grand majestically and prosper and rise even more in dynamism in the coming years.

Research seminar on “Hinduism” and “Non-Vedic Religions”

The Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs held a Research seminar on “Hinduism and Non-Vedic Religions” from 5.10.2012 to 8.10.2012 at the Colombo Tamil Sangam, Colombo presided by Professor Emeritus in Tamil, University of Peradeniya Professor S Thillainathan.

S Rajadurai, former minister, Ministry of Regional Development, Hindu Affairs and Tamil language implementation was the chief guest while Mr M K B Dissanayake, Secretary, Ministry of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs, Professor S Pathmanathan, Prof S Suseenthirarajah, Mrs R Kailasanathan, former additional secretary, Ministry of Cultural and Religious Affairs, Mr K Shanmugalingam, former Director of the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs was the Guests of Honour.

Mrs Bavani Muhunthan, Development Assistant (Hindu Culture) will recite the Thevaram while Mr M Sanmuganathan, Assistant Director of the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs delivered the welcome speech, Srimath Swami Sarvarupanandaji Maharaj, head of the Ramakrishna Mission gave the Benediction.

The inaugural address was delivered by Mrs Shanthi Navukkarasan, Director of the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs while Prof Thillainathan, Professor Pathmanathan and Secretary M K B Dissanayake addressed the gathering. This was followed by a book launching ceremony (Departmental Publications).

Seminars

In fact, the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs conducts research seminars as Hindu Religion and Hindu literature on various topics annually with the collaboration of Indian scholars and booklet containing the articles written by the researchers also usually published at the end of the seminar.

Further, Professor S Pathmanathan, who was attached to the University of Peradeniya (Department of History) renders tremendous service as a consultant for this research seminar on “Hinduism and Non Vedic Religions”.

He serves as a consultant for these seminars since 1992 in the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs by way of inviting Indian Religious and Tamil scholars from Chennai. Indeed his dedication and commitment to conduct these research seminars should be highly commended and be highly appreciated.

Eminent historian

Professor Pathmanathan is an internationally renowned intellectual and an eminent historian. His profound scholarship, his brilliant record as Professor of history and his significant service in the spheres of Hindu Religion, Hindu Culture, Tamil language, Tamil literature, social, cultural and customs of Tamils and above all his high moral character marks him out as one of the greatest Sri Lankans of modern times. He is a towering figure and every sense of the term is a Himalayan personality, lofty, serene and unshakable.

Professor Pathmanathan was the head of the Department of History, University of Peradeniya from 2001-2002, Secretary-General of the 2nd World Hindu Conference in Colombo and Nuwara Eliya in 2003, visiting Professor, Eastern University of Sri Lanka since 2007 to 2008, consultant for establishing a Faculty of Hindu Civilization at the Eastern University of Sri Lanka in 2007 and also consultant to the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka for Hindu studies in 2008.

Knowledge

His main areas of study and Research are history, university education, Art and Archeology, Hindu Civilization and History of Religions. He has even written books on the “Kingdom of Jaffna”, the Laws and Customs of the Tamils of Sri Lanka, Hindu Culture in Sri Lanka and several other books and publications. He was also Editor-in-Chief of Hindu Encyclopedia. Further, he has presented papers at International Seminars on various subjects which include Political history, political and social institutions, historiography, university education, epigraphy, customary laws, Hindu civilization and history of religions.

Professor Pathamanathan was presented with the Professor V Chelvanayakam Memorial Award for the tremendous contribution he has made in the studies relating to the place and the role of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

In fact, his proficiency in Tamil and English languages helped him immensely to carry out his research written on Hindu Religion, Hindu culture and Hindu Customs smoothly. Blessed with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy, inspiring leadership and quickness of thoughts he attained eminence as a great researcher in Hinduism and History.

It is very often said that there can be supreme technical skill, originality, intelligence in a person and yet there can be an absence of genius. In fact, an ordinary man casts a shadow, the man of genius casts light. To find genius and happiness united is nearly an impossible task. But, in Professor Pathmanathan we find a happy blend of both.

He is a person of exceptional breath and depth, a scholar, historian, a prolific writer and above all, a true Hindu with deep sense of commitment to humanistic ideals.

Indeed, these Research seminars on Hinduism and Hindu publications are very much beneficial to teachers, students of universities and to the interested public since these research papers are submitted by the scholars of the relevant field from India and Sri Lankan universities.

The annual Ther Chariot of the Arulmigu Manickavinayagar Kovil, Bambalapitiya Colombo 4
was held this year with the participation of several thousands of devotees. Here the chariot
is being taken in procession from the kovil premises to the Ramakrishna Mission Wellawatta Colombo 6. (Pic: A Maduraveeran Colombo North Gr Cor)

The annual “Ther” (Chariot) festival of Arulmigu Sri Elangamahakali Ammal Kovil, Ratnam Road Kotahena, Colombo 13 took place recently. Here the Kovil Chief Priest Sri Skandaraja
Kurukkal Kovil Chief Trustee N Sathyanathan and the board members in front of the chariot
before the procession commenced. (Pic A Maduraveeran Colombo North Gr. Corr)

Arumuga Navalar, an erudite scholar and a revivalist