Saturday, May 5, 2007

Manuniti Chola




Manuniti Chola:




There was a Chola king who ruled Thiruvarur by name Manuniti Chola. Once his son, when riding the Chariot, accidentally killed a calf on the road. As per the rules of the kindom, a bell was kept outside the palace and any one wishing to have one's grievance attended to should ring the bell. The cow mother of the calf, pulled the bell on seeing the dead calf. The king, the just ruller that he was, rode the chariot over his son. Pleased with the king's sense of justice, the gods are set to have revived.

Thiyagaraja Temple Highlights




The Thiyagaraja temple at Thiruvarur is one of the ancient heritage sites of India and is a representation of the religio-socio-cultural history of the Tamil region for a period spanning over a millennium and a half. Little is known about this shrine to much of India. The vast temple complex today is truly a standing monument to centuries of history and tradition.




Location:


ocated near Thanjavur in Tamilnadu, Thiruvarur is an ancient shrine steeped in mysticism. It is rich in legend, history and tradition.



Vanmikanathar



The Vanmikanathar Legend relates to Shiva appearing within an anthill in response to prayers from the Gods.



Ajaba Natanam Cont':This causes tilting and lord Thiyagaraja is always visualised like doing a rhythmic dance which is known as "Ajaba Natanam". Whenever, the lord moves from vasantha mandabam to the chariot or to the thousand pillar mandapam to give dharsha to his bhakthas.








Capturing the flavour of Tanjore (From NewsToday)



Governor Surjit Singh Barnala presenting the first copy of the book, ?Tanjore Paintings?, authored by Meena Muthiah, to Justice S Mohan, chairman of Kalakshetra Foundation on Sunday at a function in the city.


If you wanted to more about the growth and history of 'Tanjore Paintings,' Meena Muthiah's book which traces its growth from the Induc Valley civilization to the rule of the Mahrattas in Tanjore is the right choice for you.


Muthiah's book 'Tanjore Painting' was launched by Governor Surjit Singh Barnala at a function held in the city yesterday. He also said that the book had proved to be an interesting read, when he had browsed through it.


He found it quite illuminating to note the continuity of art in different parts of India ultimately culminating in the Tanjore paintings during the Vijayanagar empire.


He congratulated Meena Muthiah on bringing out such a wonderful book on Tanjore paintings. He said that the book dealt with almost all forms of art in the world like Chinese, Japanese, Egyptian, Greek, Roman and European art, particularly in the Renaissance period.


He further said that the second part of the book was virtually an encyclopedia on the subject.


Justice S Mohan, chairman of Kalakshetra Foundation, Y G Parthasarathy, dean and director of Padma Seshadri Group of Institutions, M A M Ramaswamy, pro-chancellor of Annamalai University and S V Chittibabu, former vice chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University, were also present on the occasion.

Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu


Tanjore is the "Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu" and famous for the Brahadeeswarar Temple. The temple was constructed more than thousand years ago by the King Rajarajan, is an architect's marvel. It is a flourishing centre for bronze sculpture and painting.Thanjavur was the royal city of the Cholas, Nayaks and the Mahrattas.


Thanjavur was at height of its glory during Rajaraja Cholan. The Big Temple and the other famous temples in the district are known all over the world. Thanjavur was the cultural capital of the country in 1790. Thanjavur gained prominence during the period of Chola Kings, who made it as their capital. It is known as the Granary of the South India lying in the deltaic region of the famous river Cauvery and criss-crossed by lengthy network of irrigation canals.


Thanjavur lies to the east of Trichy and has the reputation as the "Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu". The Tamil University, set up recently is situated here and is devoted to the growth of Tamil literature and language. One of the best temples in South India, the Brihadeeswarar Temple or the Big Temple built by the greatest Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola, is that dynasty's finest contribution to Dravidan temple architecture. If the Big Temple is an ancient landmark of Thanjavur, the Tamil University a Temple of learning could be spoken of, as its modern counterpart with its impressive temple-like facade along with its library housed in a circular building resembling the architectural style of India's parliament.