Architect and still photographer J. Ramanan has accomplished the stupendous task of capturing the exciting moments of the day-to-day rituals and ceremonies of Bhooloka Vaikuntam – Srirangam, while Vrinda Ramanan has taken care to provide the appropriate text and photo captions.
When a thematic book ‘Heaven on Earth – the Universe of Kerala’s Guruvayur Temple’ by London based Pepita Seth was released, one wondered whether a similar attempt could be made to bring out the architectural, sculptural and spiritual splendour of our own Srirangam. The enterprising couple has done exactly that. The voluminous book transports the reader to the holy shrine to soak in bhakti and reverence right from the view of Pranavakara Vimanam with the image of Nam Perumal on the front cover to the Vayyali at the Vedupari festival on the back cover.
There is an interesting background to the origin of the book. Says Vrinda Ramanan in her preface: “Mr. R.T. Chari of Tag Corporation wanted to present the beauty of this temple to the world through an exhibition of photographs. It was while working on this project that Ramanan and I decided to publish a book containing photographs and documents.” In a way, the late Srivenugopalan’s ‘Thiruvarangan Ula’ was also a source of insoirtion.
The book is a treasure trove of articles on Srirangam, the first of the 108 vaishnavite Divya Desams, interspersed with breath-taking pictures. Dr. Prema Nandakumar’s introductory article informing the reader of a mythological story with the local ruler Dharma Varman requesting Vibhishana to leave the Lord there, historian Dr. Chitra Madhavan’s description of the historicity of the sacred temple, from Sangam age literature to the hymns of Azhwars, the link to the Pallava, Pandya, Chola and Hosala Dynasties and Araiyar Bharadwaj’s presentation, and five articles by Vrinda Ramanan give one the entire gamut of the sacred shrine, highlighting its prime position. It is the only temple which finds a place in the sacred hymns of all the Azhwars. J. Ramanan’s write-up deals with the architectural dimensions and designs in detail.
A visual treat, the pictures (with captions) capture ecstatic moments of the events associated with the temple. Special mention must be made of the double-spread bird’s eye view of the temple town, the Rajagopuram seen on a full moon night with the Cauvery in the foreground, Nam Perumal bedecked and bejewelled, Vedupari Festival, and Sahasra Deepam at Kaatazhagiya Singar Kovil. Writes Vrinda: ‘It was the last Sunday of Karthigai. The temple, dedicated to Lord Narasimha, was built to ward off elephants from straying in. We decided to take some pictures. There were few devotees. The Tulasivanam was surrounded by unlit lamps. Ramanan was so excited that we decided to light up the lamps in the evening to create divine frames of the book. I also requested two of my dance students, Harini and Keerthana, to model for the photographs...”
“Each festival in Srirangam is of a great significance and the simple and learned populace flock to the temple to participate and receive the blessings of the Lord,” writes Vrinda. “Since the temple saw an increase in wealth showered by Jata Varma Sundara Pandyan, an order was issued with the consent of the Lord that the administration should be looked after by ten persons from various communities” she adds.
‘Sacred Temple Srirangam – Bhooloka Vaikuntam,’ a Bala Kala Vidhanam Publication, pays tribute to the Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, for her splendid measures taken in the renovation of the temple and her inspirational guiding force. Digital prints by Compuprint and image optimisation by V. Karthik and Suresh Menon, designed by U & I Media, Tiruchi, the magnificently produced coffee table book has been printed by Sudarshan Graphics. Price not stated.
The Ramanans are trained mountaineers and are working on their next book, ‘The Joy of the Himalaya.’
