Come Margazhi, a certain quaint town in the heart of Chennai transforms itself into the cool hub of festivity and cultural activity. Let’s take a quick walk down Mylapore’s memory lane!
Known by many names over the ages, Mayilappil, Meliapor, Mayurashabdapattinam or Mylapore, has been an abode of music and culture for over two thousand years.
As early as the 7 CE, Nayanmar saints like Tirugnana Sambandar and Appar sang in praise of Lord Kapalisvara while the Azhvars like Periyazhvar and Tirumangai Azhvar dedicated several hymns to Lord Parthasarathy of Triplicane, an erstwhile suburb of Mylapore.
It is believed that Arunagirinathar, the 15 century poet and composer of the Tiruppugazh, sang in praise of Lord Singara Velar associated with Mylapore.
Saint Thiruvalluvar, the author of the Tirukkural is said to have resided in Mylapore, as alluded to by the Thiruvalluvar temple in the Mundakanni Amman Koil Street.
Bhajanai singing around the temple’s mada streets was initiated by Umayalpuram Swami Bhagavathar in the early half of the 19 century- a tradition followed till date!
Renowned musicians like Papanasam Sivan were associated with the temple’s festivals and activities like the Margazhi bhajanais and Brahmotsavam.
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