User talk:Umeshnaig

Jai Jai Raghuveer Samartha “A GOLDEN CHARIOT ON THE DIAMOND PATHWAY” It was the year of Grace, 1933. Thanjavur, the citadel of Maharastrian culture and heritage in the South of Vindyas, has some of its votaries interested in the construction of a chariot to symbolise their aspirations on its pedestal so that its run would enthuse their brethren, heighten their pride and canalise their emotions.

Shri Samartha Ramadoss, the friend,philosopher and guide of Chartrapathi Shivaji Maharaj, had already paved the way for it during his cultural and religious tour in these parts of our country. The glorious national vision into which he highlighted the salient features of the Mahrastrian culture like poesy, piety and valour through his sermons hymns and discourses was itself a signal contribution to the myriad facets of a unified tradition and culture. This vision and its impact have been kept up fostered and nurtured by the Maharastrian comrades living in and around Thanjavur, well in a significant way.

The Maharastra Samaj in Thanjavur was founded as part of the glorious vision refered to above and it can metaphorically be described as a chariot of exquisite craftsmanship permeating the region, its spendour and grandeur at the same time.

The wheels of the chariot were the works of Shri Samartha, in which the rudiments of vedantha were ingrained. The base of the chariot was Dharma, the quitesaance of wisdom in concrete shape, the Ithihasas and puranas explaining the message of the times. The Super-structure and the vimana symbolise the manifestation of the enthusiasm and fervour, distinctive of Maratha community. The shining”pathaka on the top of the chariot was Maruthi, Ankit “ Jhenda” of Shri Samartha Ramdass Swami inviting with outstretched wings all men and women, young and old, to come into the fold of love and compassion irrespective of sect, caste,or creed. The Chariot is trekking its way on the path of Universal Brotherhood, with its lustre and charm pervading the whole atmosphere.

With its journey all these fifty five years in the past sanctified by way of opening vistas new and manifold, the chariot is on its path of pearls and diamonds ahead of it.

FOOT PRINTS OF THE SAMAJ ON THE SANDS OF TIME ITS INCEPTION: As a symbol of the aspirations of the great souls like Sarvasri A.V.Nagaraja Rao, Retired District Registrar of Thanjavur , T.K.Gopala Rao, Ramachandra Goswamy, T.R.Lakshman Rao and T.K. Srinivasa Rao and the philanthropic minded Sri.S.Viswanatha Rao of “ Vittal Mandir”, the institution of Maharastra Samaj,Thanjavur took shape in that premises with a bang, so to say and in the immediate presence of a throng of individuals, all stalwarts in each of the myriad characteristics of the Maharastrian culture that was the tilak of Hindusthan. The Minutes Book of the Samaj records with pride the attendance of 28 members on that auspicious day of Vinayaka Chaturthi in the year of Grace 1933, the 24th August by the English calendar, with the performance of Shri Ganesh Pooja. In greatful memory of the donor Sri Viswanatha Rao’s benevolence the building has come to be known as “ Viswanath Building”

ITS PREAMBLE : Addressing itself to the primary need of the hour, the forging of unity among the scattered members of the community and to the fostering of our age-old culture with its innumerable shining facets, the Samaj became in course of time a cultural forum of Maharastrians, young and old , rich and poor, officials and artistes alike. ACTIVITIES: The records of the Samaj abound in activities like periodical meetings to develop an Espirit de core among members, bhajans on Ekadasi days and Saturdays , to integrate them emotionally. In addition to these regular programmes the following annual functions form a part of the activities of the Samaj during every year. The Ganesh Chaturthi Festival which marks the birth day of the Samaj celebrated for a period of 21 days from Ganesh Chaturthi culminating in “Veedayatri” utsavam. The Dhanurmasa Bhajan is held on every Sunday morning during Dhanurmasa ( Margazhi) The Makara sankrathi celebrations which perhaps form the main item of Maharashtrian culture are conducted in a colourful manner with “ Tilgul”distribution. The most valuable contribution from the Mahatrstra community on the spiritual side is Shri Samartha Ramadoss Swamiji who is only too well known. The Samaj celebrates Sri Samartha Navami every year for a period of nine days with regular parayan of Sri DasaBhod and Sri Karunashtaka. The Mahapooja on the Das Navami day is performed with religious fervour and devotion. Sri Samartha Sampradayik bhajans are held on the same night and the atmosphere is supercharged with devotional songs and bhajans. On the concluding day the portrait of Shri Samartha Ramdass Swami would be taken round the main streets of Thanjavur main town in procession with the singing of bhajan songs by all devotees. The Silver Jubilee of Sri Samarth Navami Celebrations in the samaj were inaugurated by HH Sri Santananda Swamigal of Pudukottai Adhishtanam in 1958 and a notable part was played by Late Sri N.Swaminatha Rao in the celebrations. The Golden Jubilee was held in 1985 when Sri T.B.Nagaraja Rao I.A.A.S ( retd) the present president of the Samaj was the Guardian Angel of the Show guiding the celebrations to a signal success.

In this connection special mention is to be made of late Sri T.S.Venkoba Naig who was an ardent devotee and peerless bhajanee and who was accompanied on the Tabla by late Sri D.Vaman Rao and on Hormonium by late Sri T.V.Narayana Rao,kindling the spirit of piety and prayer to a crescendo. The loss that the samaj sustained in the passing away of these minstreals is now more than compensated by Sri S.Anantha Rao, present Treasurer of the Samaj who has taken in his hands and who is ably accompanied on Mridangam and Hormonium by Sri R.Raghunatha Rao. In the past, Kirthankars like Shri Morgamkar Bhava, Shri Nagaraja Bhava and Bhajanees like Sundarswami, Sri T.S.Vasudeva Naig and others have given their performance in the samaj premises. The Samaj from its inception had the nurture and nourishment from a galaxy of devoted and pious gentlemen of the Maratha community from the patrons to the humble worker and none fought shy taking on him any kind of job that would help to promote the aim and interests of the samaj. If late Sri S.Viswanatha Rao chose to donate the present building and site to the samaj in keeping with his magnanimity it was given to late shir M Sridhar Rao, the then Commissioner of Thanjavur Municipality to make it tax free in due recognition of the laudable aims of the Samaj. To recount the services of all those who devouted much of their time, energy and resources to hold aloft the Jhenda of the Samaj will run into a legion. However, the yeomen services rendred by late Sri.T.S.Ramachandra Rao in the capacity as the Secretary of the Samaj in the early days are placed on record with gratitude.

The Thanjavur Samaj is still continuing its activities in the service of society and celebrating the maharastrian tradition poojas and predominently with bhajans, harikathas , upanyas , parayam with contribution also from visiting bhajnees of uttar bharat and maharastra domain.

Attempts are being made to preserve this many traditional thanjavurmarathibhajans sampradaya in script and vocal form.

Jai Jai Raghuveer Samartha......