NãmaSmaran 2014

The stage was set gracefully, the venue was filled with many a devotee and the ambience was divine for NãmaSmaran 2014. The 5 day event started with Krithis reminiscing Poojyashri Gopalakrishna Bhagavathaswamy, a prayer to Him, sung by two stalwarts – Delhi Sri P Subbarama Bhagavathar and Chennai Sri S Janakirama Bhagavathar. Following this, Sri A V K Rajasimmhan Bhagavathar and Party conducted Divyanamam and Padmavathi Kalyanam, the start of a series of Kalyanams that formed the theme for this year’s event. Purandaradasa Jayanthi was celebrated on the following day with Dasara Krithis rendered by Sri D H Viswanatha Bhagavathar (Bombay Hari Mama), after which bhaktas witnessed a power packed Abhang, Divyanamam and Rukmini Kalyanam by Kovai Sri S Jayarama Bhagavathar.

Saturday was filled with stellar performances. First, an elaborate and mellifluous rendering of Jayadeva’s Ashtapadis by Thanjavur Sri Thyagaraja Bhagavathar followed by a jugalbandi by Thiruvisanallur Sri Ramakrishna Bhagavathar & Udayaloor Sri Kalyanarama Bhagavathar in the evening. NãmaSmaran, in the presence of H H Sri Tiru Swami, honoured Brahmasri Sri D. H. Viswanathan Bhagavathar, Mumbai and Brahmasri Sri R Shankar Bhagavathar, Thiruvannamalai for their selfless contribution in popularizing “Bhagavannama”.

The Gopalakrishna Bhagavathaswamy Jayanthi Uthsavam on Sunday began with an Unchavrithi by none other than the grandson of Bhagavathaswamy himself – Shri Narasimha Bhagavathar. This was followed a Guru Pooja in the presence of H H Sri Sri Ramananda Saraswathi Swamigal to Brahmasri V Neelakanta Bhagavathar, Chennai and Brahmasri Subramanya Bhagavathar, Salem. A soulful and evocative rendering of Guru krithis progressed into the beginning of Sri Radha Madhava Kalyana Uthsavam in Bhajan Style by H H Swamiji. Sunday evening was charged with bhajans by Rakumai Bhajan Mandali, Bangalore, Sri OS Mukund Bhagavathar and Party and Sri Karthik Gnaneshwar Bhagavathar.

The 5 day program came to a grand closure on Monday, 13 October 2014 with Anjaneya Uthsavam. On this day, Pradosha Pooja Group, Bangalore, intoned Abhisheka and Archana to Lord Anjaneya. Bhajans by Sri Seetharaman Bhagavathar, Sri Gurumurthy Bhagavathar, Sri Raman Bhagavathar (Nagpur Brothers), Kalyan Nagar Bhajan Mandali, Bangalore, only left bhaktas asking for more. Valli Kalyanam and Anjaneya Uthsavam was rendered by Erode Sri Rajamani Bhagavathar as a fitting finale to the 5 day Uthsavam.

Office: 607, 3rd Main, Bhuvanagiri, Bangalore – 560 043

Contact: namasmaran@gmail.com