11,000 people to sing Thevaram in Sri Lanka
Rhyme and rhythm to unite hearts and minds
Sri Lanka, October 14: The land of the singing fish - Batticaloa in Sri Lanka is all set to usher in 2011 by hosting a historical event on Jan 22 where more than 11, 000 people from all walks of life will come together on one platform to sing in unison some of the key verses from the richest Tamil devotional poetry – The Thevaram.
Inspired by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar`s mission of a One World Family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ) this historical event aims to unite hearts and minds with rhyme and rhythm. The Thevaram ( In Tamil "Theva" means The Divine and "aram" denotes a beautiful garland ) represents the first seven volumes of the Tirumurai, the twelve-volume collection of Tamil Saivite devotional poetry.
All seven volumes are dedicated to the works of the three most prominent Tamil poets known as Nayanars - Sambanthar and Appar lived around the 7th century AD, while Sundarar lived in the 8th century AD. During the Pallava period these three poets travelled extensively delivering discourses and songs characterised by devotion to Lord Shiva.
In the tenth Century AD, during the reign of Rajaraja Chola I, a collection of these songs was found abandoned in the Chidambaram temple, along with other religious literary works, and collated by Nambiyandar Nambi. All the hymns in the Thevaram (called pathikam in Tamil) are believed to be in sets of ten. " The hymns are set to music denoted by Panns and are part of the canons of the Tamil music" shares Swami Sadyojatha, Director, Art of Living International Office.
Speaking on the relation between music and spirituality, Sri Sri says, "Spirituality and music together can uplift people, get them out of
depression and help them start a new life with enthusiasm. For a stress-free life, you have to embrace both these facets (spirituality and music)."
Several musicians, singers, poets, dancers, dignitaries and religious leaders are also expected to attend the event. The event will also see participation from every section of society and several countries.
In 2009, the Art of Living had earlier hosted Antarnaad a grand symphony of 2750 Indian classical vocalists in Pune, its historic sitar concert titled Brahmnaad in New Delhi in Nov 2008, which brought together over 1000 sitar exponents, in aid of the Bihar Relief and rehabilitation and in 2006 1200 Mohiniattam dancers performed together on one stage in Kerala.
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