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Araiyar Sevai
Araiyar sevai ( ta, அரையர் சேவை) is a Tamil performing art form, centered on the ritual singing and enactment of the hymns of the Divya Prabandham. Araiyar sevai is generally performed only inside Vaishnavite temples in the presence of the temple ''uthsavar'' — the temple's processional deity — by hereditary performers. Although temple inscriptions suggest its performance was once widespread, it is today only performed in few temples in Tamil Nadu: the "koyil" shrine of Srirangam, shrine of Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Temple, the shrine of Alvar Tirunagari and the temple of Andal at Srivilliputhur. It is also performed in a different form at the Melkote temple in southern Karnataka, where the Divya Prabhandham is sung but not enacted. Origin legends Performing legends trace the origin of the araiyar sevai to Sriman Nathamuni, a 10th-century Vaishnavite teacher, who according to tradition compiled the Divya Prabandham. According to the legends, Nat ...
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Divya Prabandham
The Naalayira Divya Prabandham ( ta, நாலாயிரத் திவ்வியப் பிரபந்தம், lit=Four Thousand Divine Hymns, translit=Nālāyira Divya Prabandham) is a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses composed by the 12 Alvars. It was compiled in its present form by Nathamuni during the 9th–10th centuries. The work, an important liturgical compilation of the Tamil Alvars, marks the beginning of the canonisation of 12 ''Vaishnava'' poet saints, and these hymns are still sung extensively today. The works were lost before they were collected and organised in the form of an anthology by Nathamuni. Description The ''Divya Prabandham'' sings the praises of Narayana (Vishnu) and his many forms. The Alvars sang these songs at various sacred shrines known as the Divya Desams. The Tamil ''Vaishnavites'' are also known as ''Ubhaya Vedanti'' (those that follow both Vedas, that is, the Sanskrit Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda, as well as the ...
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Priest
A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities. Their office or position is the 'priesthood', a term which also may apply to such persons collectively. A priest may have the duty to hear confessions periodically, give marriage counseling, provide prenuptial counseling, give spiritual direction, teach catechism, or visit those confined indoors, such as the sick in hospitals and nursing homes. Description According to the trifunctional hypothesis of prehistoric Proto-Indo-European society, priests have existed since the earliest of times and in the simplest societies, most likely as a result of agricultural surplus and consequent social stratification. The necessity to read sacred texts and keep temple or church rec ...
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Dance Forms Of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has a rich history of art and entertainment. The three modes of entertainment classified as Iyel (Literature), Isai (Music) and Nadagam (Drama) had their roots in the rural folk theatre like Theru Koothu (Street play). Many forms of group and individual dances with the classical forms for popularity and sheer entertainment value. Some of the dance forms are performed by Tribal people. The majority of these dances are still thriving in Tamil Nadu today. Bamber dance This dance is performed inside a temple, around a lamp. The purpose is to worship Lord Krishna, and celebrate his frolics with the gopikas. This is performed during Ramanavami and Gokulashtami. Bharatanatyam Bharatanatyam is a major genre of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu.Bharata-natyam
''Encyclopædia Britannica''. 2007
Traditi ...
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Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (IPA: Saṅgīta Nāṭaka Akādamī Puraskāra), also known as the Akademi Puraskar, is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi Sangeet Natak Akademi (The National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama in English) is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India. History It was set up by the Indian education ministry on 31 May 1952 and be ..., India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to people in the field of performing arts. The award earlier in 2003, consisted of Rupee, Rs. 50,000, a citation, an ''Angvastra, angavastram'' (a shawl), and a ''tamrapatra'' (a brass plaque). Since 2009 cash prize has been increased to ₹1,00,000. The awards are given in the categories of music, dance, theatre, other traditional arts and puppetry, and for contribution/scholarship in performing arts. Award recipients The recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in vario ...
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Badrinath Temple
Badrinath or Badrinarayana Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. It is situated in the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand, India. The temple is also one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu - holy shrines for Vaishnavas - who is worshipped as Badrinath. It is open for six months every year (between the end of April and the beginning of November), because of extreme weather conditions in the Himalayan region. The temple is located in Garhwal hill tracks in Chamoli district along the banks of Alaknanda River. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage centers of India, having recorded 2.8 million (28 lakh) visits in just 2 months in 2022. The image of the presiding deity worshipped in the temple is a , the black granite deity of Vishnu in the form of Badrinarayan. The deity is considered by many Hindus to be one of eight ''svayam vyakta kshetras'', or self-manifested deities of Vishnu. Mata Murti Ka Mela, which commemorates the descent of river Ganges on mother ear ...
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Thirukkurungudi
Thirukkurungudi is a town which is located in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, South India. Thirukkurungudi is part of Nanguneri taluk and is part of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly constituency of Nanguneri. At the foothills of the Western Ghats and 40 km to the North of Kanyakumari and about 120 km from Thiruvananthapuram the capital city of Kerala, Thirukkurungudi is a village with history dating back more than 1500 years. Village life revolves around agriculture and the Nambi Rayar temple. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, Hindu temples that are sacred for the Vaishnavas. Rice was the major crop until 15 years ago as there was plenty of rainfall and the River Nambi fed the irrigation channels for almost 9 months a year. With advancement in technology to tap ground water and rain becoming scarce, plantains have become a major crop. Almost every household works on something related to agriculture, either directly or through the Nambi Rayar temple. The tank in ...
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Srivilliputhur Araiyar Swamy
Srivilliputhur (), is a Municipality in Virudhunagar district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As of 2011, the town had a population of 75,396. The most important landmark of Srivilliputhur is 11-tiered tower structure dedicated to the Vatapatrasayee (Vishnu), the presiding deity of Srivilliputhur Divya Desam. The tower of this temple rises 192 feet high and is the official symbol of the Government of Tamil Nadu. It is said to have been built by Periyalvar, in the year 788 CE and believed to be the adopted father of the Temple Deity, with a purse of gold that he won in debates held in the palace of Pandya King Vallabhadeva. Srivilliputhur is well known for its ancient heritage and devotional contributions. It is on the Virudhunagar - Sengottai line of the Southern Railway, about 74 km south of Madurai and connected by road and rail with Madurai, Rajapalayam, Sankarankovil & Sengottai, Sivakasi and Sattur. Etymology As per historical legend, the land around Srivilliputh ...
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Kamsa
Kamsa ( sa, कंस, Kaṃsa, translit-std=IAST) was the tyrant ruler of the Vrishni kingdom, with its capital at Mathura. He is variously described in Hindu literature as either a human or an asura; The Puranas describe him as an asura, while the Harivamśa describes him as an asura reborn in the body of a man. His royal house was called Bhoja; thus, another of his names was Bhojapati. He was the cousin of Devaki, the mother of the deity Krishna; Krishna ultimately fulfilled a prophecy by slaying Kamsa. Kamsa was born to King Ugrasena and Queen Padmavati. However, out of ambition, and upon the advice of his personal confidantes, Banasura and Narakasura, Kamsa decided to overthrow his father, and install himself as the King of Mathura. Therefore, upon the guidance of another advisor, Chanura, Kamsa decided to marry Asti and Prapti, the daughters of Jarasandha, King of Magadha. After a heavenly voice prophesied that Devaki's eighth son would slay him, Kamsa imprisoned Devak ...
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Abhinaya
Abhinaya (Sanskrit ''abhi-'' 'towards' + ''nii-'' 'leading/guide') is the art of expression in Indian aesthetics. More accurately it means "leading an audience towards" the experience (') of a sentiment ('). The concept, derived from Bharata Muni's ''Natya Shastra'', is used as an integral part of all Indian classical dance styles. ''Abhinaya'' can be divided into four, according to the ''Natya Shastra''. pp. 131–186 Expression of the limbs (''Āṅgika Abhinaya'') Angika Abhinaya denotes the movements of angas like head, hands, waist and face. Pratyangas like shoulder, shoulder arm's, thighs, knees and elbows and upangas like eyes, eyelid, cheeks, nose, lips and teeth. Additional hastas (hand gestures) have always played a significant role in conveyance of the emotion and through of a soul. Many of the natural gestures are found common to mankind and their meaning easily understood. Expression of speech (''Vāchika Abhinaya'') Speech is used in drama and also in music when ...
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Thirunamam
Thirunamam(; ''Tirunāmam'')) represents the 'Sacred name of God'. The phrase Namam also represents the white clay found at the deeper layer of earth, which is used as the powder to wear a flame shaped mark. The Ayyavazhi people wore this Namam, starting from the central point between the eyebrows, going straight up near the top edge of the forehead. The flame shape represents ''Aanma Jyothi'' or Atman. Which in turn means that, Aatman is considered sacred and as the name of God. Zealous devotees smeared it on the exterior of the upper arms, over the chest and below the spinal cord area at the back. This white mark was unlike the one worn by a Hindu of Vaishnavism tradition who wore it on the forehead in the shape of 'U', or of Saivism tradition who wore it horizontally as three parallel lines. This Thirunamam is also called as ''Tottu Namam'' and ''Thiruman''. Social synonym In the nineteenth century Travancore society, the social setup is highly marked for the discriminative ...
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