Radha Madhava/Seetha Rama Kalyanam in United Kingdom
Dakshina Bharatha Bhajana Sampradayam
Radha Kalyanam or Seetha Kalyanam is, in the physical sense, a wedding. After an individual’s end, he or she culminates into Brahmam, i.e., God. This theory is accepted by Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Islam. This fusion into immortality is celebrated as a Kalyanam. Mahakavi Jayadeva, who is said to be an incarnation of Veda Vyasa, visualized this phenomena and put together a poetic composition called Gita Govindam or Ashtapadi about 800 years ago. This symbolic function is an outcome of those compositions. We will have a lot of stories to tell, inorder for everyone to understand why we are doing this event together. It’s a team activity. So be ready to participate!
1) Unchavrithi
Thodaya Mangalam – A grand welcome to the lord done along with an Unchavrithi. `Uncham’ in this context, meant the Akshatha (grains) that the Bhagavathar receives as a Grace of God, while he walks past the houses while singing Bhagavath Gunas and Naamas.
Guru Dhyaanam – We then focus and pray to our great gurus from India. From a Bhajan Sampradayam perspective, we pray at the lotus feet of Sri Bodendra Saraswathi, Sridhara Ayyaval and Marudannalur Sadguru swamigal who immensely contributed in building this bhajan tradition 200-400 years back. All these above mentioned gurus were really top brains and they clearly showed common man a path to spiritualism and beyond unto Mukthi.
2) Divyanaamam
Become a gopi in Brindavan and dance around Krishna. An elaborate & very interesting activity for everyone. Do not miss this indulging activity. Be ready with your dance steps. Even if you do not know dance, you will still enjoy. There is a lot of story that you all will be part of.
3) Kotnotsavam
Muthu Serkai: Paddy and other precious items needed for the Wedding are gathered by five Kanyakas, five Kumaras (children), five Sumangalis and five Bhagavathas. Namavalis are sung in praise of Sri Seetha and Sri Rama.
Get the children involved. Get everyone involved. We will all learn through involvement. All of us have a role to play.
Muthu Kuthal: Five or more kanyas, married women and men participate in pounding paddy to make rice for Shobana Akshata.
Muthu Kozhithal: The Bhagavathals and bhakthas dance ceremoniously and submit the Shobana Akshatha to the Lord.
Musala Nardhanam: The Bhagavathas dance to the 3rd Ashtapathi of Jayadeva and submit the pestle to the Lord. When there is fusion into immortality, one cannot but dance in ecstasy.
4) Kalyanam
Thalantu Sobhane ( Mangala Snaanam) : Oil Bath is performed to Sri Rama and Sri Seetha by the priests. New clothes, gold ornaments, garlands and perfumes are presented to Sri Krishna and Sri Radha
Choornika: Sanskrit slokas describing the Divine atmosphere in the Kalyana Mantapam.
Pravaram : Genealogy of Sri Krishna/Rama and Sri Radha/Sri Seetha are recited three times.
Mangalaashtakam: Eight slokas in Sanskrit describing the arrival and presence of all the Gods, Saints, Bhakthas and Sacred Rivers in the Kalyana Mantapam. Shobana Akshatha is presented to the Lord. Priest performs a Karpoora Aarathi at the end.
Maangalya Dhaaranam : Sri Krishna/Rama tie the sacred Maangalya soothra to Sri Radha/Sita amid Vedic chanting. ‘Aanandham Aanandham Ayene’ is sung to express the delight of Bhagavathas in witnessing the Divine Wedding. This is followed by Kalyana Tharangam by Sri Narayana.
The entire devaloka, Indraloka and Brahmaloka came to witness the wedding
Uththara Puja & Nalangu : Dhoopa, Dheepa Naivedhyam and Neeraanjanam are offered by priest to Sri Krishna/Rama and Sri Radha/Sita. Devotees sing Bhajans and Namavalis in praise of the lord.
Mahaa Neeraanjanam & Manthra Pushpam : Mahaa Mangala Aarathi and flowers with Vedic chanting are offered by priest to Sri Krishna/Rama and Sri Radha/Sita. Praarthana : Divine Grace of Sri Krishna/Rama and Sri Radha/Sita is sought by the devotees.
Mahadhaasirvaadham : Priest invokes the Divine Blessings of Sri Krishna/Rama and Sri Radha/Sita to be showered on all devotees present.
Mangalam : Ladies perform Mangala Aarathi to Sri Krishna/Rama and Sri Radha/Sita, signifying the conclusion of the Kalyana Uthsavam
The above Sampradayam was compiled together by Marudanallur Sadguru swamigal (1877-1917). He is known to have given deeksha to Sri Thyagaraja. The compilation includes the 800 year old Gita Govindam/Ashtapadi composed by Jayadeva. It also includes krithis composed by Annamacharya(1408-1503), Purandara dasa (1484-1564). A large part of the Divyanaamam and Kalyanam comes from Bhadrachala Ramdas (1620-1688). There are several other great composers and poets too and the list is too long to detail here.
About Carnatic-Circle Bhajan Samaj, United Kingdom
“Carnatic-Circle Bhajan Samaj” is a group of bhagavathas who have been performing Bhajan events across the UK. This was founded by Sri Santhana Gopal who had listened to bhajan uthsavams in Bhagavatha villages of Rayapuram/Perambur village in Thiruvarur district during his formative years. In a bid to spread this sampradayam in UK, he formed a team to teach Jayadeva Ashtapadhis and bhajan songs as per Sampradayam. With the support of Pavan Srinivas & Preetha Gopal who were trained in Carnatic music, the team started holding house events and travelled to impart knowledge in this subject.
In a bid to spread bhakthi through Dakshina Bharatha Sampradayam, they started teaching this paddhati or syllabus to children and adults. Students have also performed with us in the past events. Lively Divyanaamam events were hosted to provide opportunity for bhakthas to participate. Keeping Raasa Leela from the Bhagavatham as the theme, story telling was initiated. In a country like UK, people will not understand the meaning of songs, so upanyasam style bhajan events were started. Till date they have completed 11 large Deepa Pradakshinams/Divyanaamams across the country since 2018.
In 2022, with the addition of Sri Ramabadran to the team, they started conducting Seetha and Radha Kalyanams in various places and have now completed 6 kalyanams UK wide. Sri Ramabadran comes from a family that has conducted 50 years of annual bhajan uthsavams with stalwart bhagavathars. All kalyanams are replete with full explanation of the steps so that audience get to understand the meaning behind the subject.
With Guru’s blessings and all your best wishes they expect to do more and put efforts in spreading Bhakthi and our traditions.
Compiled by Santhana Gopal (http://Carnatic-circle.com)