{"id":2820,"date":"2026-06-18T08:57:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T08:57:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/?p=2820"},"modified":"2026-06-20T00:55:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T00:55:18","slug":"guruji-sri-a-s-raghavan-the-doyen-of-thiruppugazh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/?p=2820","title":{"rendered":"Guruji, Sri A.S. Raghavan, The Doyen of Thiruppugazh"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"September 15, 2003. The Sringeri Pravachana Mandapam at Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai, wore a festive look. Celebrities from music world, pundits from devotional field, \u00a0representatives from Mutts, officials, businessmen, journalists and devotees all had assembled to facilitate the Guru they held in high esteem. The Tiruppugazh music that came from Guruji reverberated all over.\u00a0 \u00a0Now, the year was\u00a0 2008, the venue was Banglore \u00a0and the occasion was Golden Jubilee celebrations\u00a0 of Tiruppugazh.\u00a0 It was a mass congregation of devotees reached from different directions.\u00a0 On another auspicious day, the 600th<\/sup> birth Anniversary of Sri Arunagirinathar was celebrated at Delhi when the Government of India released a postal stamp in honour of Sri Arunagirinathar.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0These are few among the many milestones in the journey of Guruji Sri A.S. Raghavan, the doyen of Thiruppugaz, whose heart was full of devotion and tongue always reciting the songs of Tiruppugazh.\u00a0 His sparkling eyes displayed his compassion.\u00a0 His forehead was smeared with the sacred ash; the mark of his devoption and the chain of Rudra beads that lay around his neck symbolized his dispassion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sri Raghavan was born in 1928 to Sri Subbiah Sastrigal and Smt. Ramalakshmi Ammal at Arumugamangalam near Tuticorin, the sea shore famous for collection of precious gems. Unfortunately, he was affected by polio and all treatments attempted were in vain. An expert in the local system of medicine then came forward and promised to cure him. But he demanded a fee, an odd one at that. Sensing the boy\u2019s devotional nature, the medical practitioner insisted that the child be dedicated to the service of Senthil Andavan.\u00a0 For the parents, no price was too heavy for the health of their dear one and they readily agreed. Besides, to offer oneself for the service of God was indeed a privilege. As the treatment progressed, the boy started showing signs of recovery. He was taken to the temple of Tiruchendur.\u00a0 At the very sight of the temple at a distance, the child started running easily over the vast stretch of slippery sands. He feasted his eyes at the splendor of Lord Muruga. When he returned after the worship, he got the image of the Lord of\u00a0Tiruchendur<\/a>\u00a0firmly embedded in his mind, the image that was to make profound influence later.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the formal education Sri Raghavan left the eastern shores of Tiruchendur \u00a0\u00a0and reached the western shores of Tiru Chembur in pursuit of his career. Though he took up a position in office at Bombay, it was music that was pulsating in his heart. \u00a0He heard music in the drop of the rain water, in the sound of the running train and in the way the child was crying.\u00a0 In fact, he aspired not for a career towards material progress but an avocation of singing (\u201cPaadum Paniye Paniyai Arulvaai<\/em>\u201d).\u00a0 Having settled in Bombay, he got the opportunity to learn the basics of Carnatic music from Sri Vaidyanatha Bhagawathar. Later he shifted to Delhi.\u00a0 Even while doing the various duties expected of him, he was humming some devotional songs.\u00a0 The spark that flashed at Tiruchendur was looking for an opportunity to illuminate.\u00a0 When music and devotion had combined, it became an ideal ground for communion with God.\u00a0 He felt Senthil Andavan had designed a particular role for him. \u2018What was that role?\u2019 he wondered.<\/span><\/p>\n

That was the time when temple Othuvars, singers belonging to temple, were rendering Tiruppugazh songs in the way they had learned.\u00a0 The Tiruppugazh songs created a profound impact on him.\u00a0 He realized that the musical talent which Muruga had gifted him was meant to be used to hail the glory of the Lord.\u00a0 \u00a0He recalled the Kandhar Anuboothi verses:\u00a0 \u201cWhatever knowledge or talent that I possess are the gifts given by God to be given back to him\u201d (Yaam Odhiya Kalviyum<\/em>).\u00a0 As the brilliant light of Tiruppugazh awakened him, he adopted Tiruppugazh as his way of life. It became clear to him that the role assigned to him was to highlight the glory of Muruga through Tiruppugazh.\u00a0 .<\/span><\/p>\n

Sri Raghavan took up the study of Thiruppugah and the more he studied, the more absorbed he became. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gradually it became a total involvement.\u00a0 \u00a0His friends, Sri R. Narayanan, Sri M. Mahalingam and Sri Narayana Swami, who had heard Sri Raghavan singing in AIR Mumbai, joined him.\u00a0 \u00a0They selected certain songs and set them to Carnatic based raga and thala on the lines of\u00a0Chandam (<\/em>rhythmic brilliance).\u00a0 They gave every song a distinct Raga to generate interest for Tiruppugazh among the new generation. \u201cIt was a great achievement of tuning over 503 songs of Arunagirinathar in over 110 Ragas,\u201d said\u00a0 Smt. Chitra Murthy, an ardent proponent of Tiruppugazh .\u00a0 Arunagirinathar had prayed that he should be blessed to sing the glory of Muruga where each word would shine as a precious gem (muthu). <\/em>\u00a0Sri Raghavan \u00a0born in a region where gems are procured in plenty, \u00a0composed the first song of Sri Arunagirinathar\u00a0 in \u00a0Koulai Raag, \u201cMuthai Tharu\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

A system of rendering songs in a prescribed way was devised by Sri Raghavan who has now come to be known as Guruji.\u00a0 \u00a0Under his guidance, a method of conducting Tiruppugazh Isai was developed. An orderly way of Isai Vazhipadu was \u00a0established by invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesa, followed by songs related to six abodes of Muruga and other temples, Kandar Anubuthi, Alamgaram, Vel, Mayil, Seval Virutham and concluded with hymns and prayers.\u00a0 When the beautiful verses of Arunaginatha Swamigal acquired the sound of music, it became a wonderful form of prayer. Everyone took part in the bhajan, the talented and less talented, to convey the prayer in one voice. It became a spontaneous outpouring of devotion.\u00a0 Guruji and Tiruppugazh were so inalienably linked that it is impossible to think of one without the other. The foundation for a strong Tiruppugazh movement has been laid.\u00a0 The growth of Tiruppugazh into a\u00a0 wide-spread movement and the growth of Sri Raghavan into an enlightened Guru happened almost simultaneously.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tiruppugazh classes were also started and gradually more and more students joined the classes. Those who learned from Guruji started conducting classes wherever they have settled.\u00a0 \u00a0In the beginning (1958) Tiruppugazh classes were held at the residence of Sri G. Sundaram at Connaught Circus. \u00a0Soon, the Tiruppugazh form of worship spread its branches all over. \u00a0The Tiruppugazh Isai Vazhipadu was held in Uttara Swami Malai temple and Sankara Kendra at Delhi, the Chembur Murugan temple at Mumbai, Ved Bhawan at Kolkata, Kundrathur temple near Chennai, Annarpurneswari temple at Coimbatore, Ved Bhavan at \u00a0Hyderabad, at Poona, at\u00a0 Thiruvananthapuram, at\u00a0 New Jersey and and at many other places.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps, there is no one who can render the verses of Tiruppugazh the way Arunagirinathar intended as exactly as Guruji,\u201d commented Sri Subbudu, the correspondent of\u00a0The Statesman<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was clear that Tiruppugazh Anbargal were making waves. The overwhelming participation of devotees in classes and recitals was sufficient indication that Tiruppugazh culture was set to scale new heights. Wherever Guruji performed devotees assembled in large number to immerse themselves in the nectar of Tiruppugazh.\u00a0 Apart from Tiruppugazh Isai Vazhipadu, Guruji has also systematized an elaborate formula of Valli Kalyanam.\u00a0 \u00a0As the Tiruppugazh movement gained momentum, it needed an administrative framework, which also Guruji helped to build. Known as \u201cTiruppugazh Anbargal\u201c, it was also registered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Awards and acclaims started pouring in.\u00a0 Guruji \u2019s contribution in creating a spiritual awakening and Muruga worship has been appreciated by heads of mutts, men of letters and great musicians. \u00a0. Among the many awards he received the “Tiruppugazh Gana Rathnam” award given by \u00a0Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, \u201cTiruppugazh Thondar\u201d by Abhinava Vidyathirtha Swamigal, Sringeri, \u00a0\u201cBhakta Ratna\u00a0 by Swami Chidananda Maharaj of Sivananda Ashram, \u201cGuhasri\u201d by Thava Thiru Nataraja Sivacharya Swamigal need special mention.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Though Guruji attained the pinnacle of fame, left to him, he remained always humble.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cEverything happens as ordained by God and I am only a mere tool,\u201d he said.\u00a0\u00a0 He said among the many accolades he received, he liked the one \u201cTiruppugazh Thondar\u201d because he always wished to be a mere servant to Muruga devotees.<\/span><\/p>\n

We find triads (Trimurthis) Sri Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Muthuswamy Dikshithar and Sri Shyama Sastrigal in Carnatic music and Sri Bhodendra Saraswati Swamigal Sridhara Ayyaval and Marudanallur Sri Sadguru Swamigal in the field of Namasankeerthanam.\u00a0 Similarly, we find Trimurties in the field of Tiruppugazh also like Sri Chengalvaraya Pillai, Sri Sachidananda Swamigal and Guruji.\u00a0 If Sri Chengalvaraya Pillai had not put in his efforts in locating the Tiruppugazh songs and done extensive research on the subject (\u201cArunagirinathar Varalarum, Nool Araichiyum\u201d)<\/em> perhaps Tiruppugazh would not have got the high prominence it now enjoys.\u00a0 \u00a0That was the time when Tiruppugazh was least known among the people.\u00a0 These verses had to wait for centuries till Sri Sachidananda Swamigal realized its immense value and helped the songs to bloom in splendor.\u00a0 Among the many paths to reach God, Nathopasana is regarded as very effective.\u00a0 \u00a0It is believed that a prayer to God addressed in music is instantly heard.\u00a0 It was Guruji who made Tiruppugazh as Nathopasana and helped to reach all the ears.\u00a0\u00a0 While Vallimalai Sri Sachidananda Swamigal highlighted Tiruppugazh as Jnanamrutam (nectar of knowledge), Sri Raghavan focused it as Ganamrutham (nectar of music).<\/span><\/p>\n

Guruji not only rendered the song but also explained the philosophy behind it. Once, while explaining the song which Arunagirinathar had done at Pazhani (Ulaka pasu paasa thontha\u2026122<\/em>) based on Saiva Sidhanta doctrine, Guruji said: \u201cJust as the cow is tied up to the pole and not able to go farther; the individual is also tied up with attachments towards family and relations. He said the devotees should cultivate the quality of detachment and renunciation. \u00a0Guruji often recalled what Sringeri Swamigal said about Tiruppugazh;\u00a0 \u201cTiruppugazh contains\u00a0 the essence of Vedas and Upanishads and he who recites Thiruppugazh will be elevated to high state of knowledge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Guruji always emphasised the three qualities the devotees should cultivate:\u00a0Anbu<\/em>\u00a0(love)\u00a0Avirodha<\/em>\u00a0(free from negativism) and\u00a0Thondu<\/em>\u00a0(service). Guruji gave a good name to those dedicated to Tiruppugazh form of worship as \u201cTiruppugazh Anbargal\u201d. \u201cTiruppugazh Anbargal\u201c \u00a0means the vast and dedicated group of devotees who hail the glory of Muruga through Tiruppugazh.\u00a0 The movement they created has spread to different parts of the country and even abroad.\u00a0 When Thaipusam or Panguni Uthram dawns, they converge by natural instinct and join the Muruga worship with the garland of Tiruppugazh (Paamaalai).\u00a0 \u00a0They are all united by the common bond of love and devotion.\u00a0 Tiruppugazh Anbargal \u00a0are noted for their qualities of compassion and dispassion.\u00a0 When Kanda Sashti comes they observe austerities, attend Satsang and sing the songs of Tiruppugazh.\u00a0 When Vaikasi Visakam comes, the halls of all major cities are packed to full capacity.\u00a0 They come in large number, leaving all their work behind, just to come under the shower of Tiruppugazh.\u00a0 They worship the beautiful picture of Muruga kept at the stage along with the portrait of Guruji adorned with garlands.\u00a0\u00a0 Listening to Tiruppugazh they forget all their worries and anxieties and they return home with a sense of fulfillment.\u00a0 \u201cTrue devotion would help one to cultivate these values\u201c, Guruji used to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his song done at Tiruchengodu, (Baththargana Priya<\/em>) Arunagirinathar says: \u201cDevotees from all four directions, east and west, south and north listen to Tiruppugazh and keep wondering how marvelously Tiruppugazh is composed in\u00a0 Chandam style.\u00a0 Oh Lord, I would never forget the rare privilege you have given me to sing these songs and spread its glory to all corners of the world\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 It appears that the same blessings, which Lord Muruga had given to Arunagirinathar, has been extended to Guruji also to continue the divine task of reaching Tiruppugazh to all the ears.<\/span><\/p>\n

Guruji was married to Smt. Janaki. Hailing from a village in Tirunelveli District, Smt. Janaki was a lady of high virtue and devotion. She did not find it difficult to adjust to the devotional life of her husband.\u00a0 She too was deeply moved by the power of Tiruppugazh and took active part in Tiruppugazh recitals. The portrait of Sri Raghavan and Smt. Janaki reminds us of Lord Sri Ramachandra and Smt. Sita Devi.\u00a0 Tiruppugazh is not the songs that hail the glory of Lord Muruga who is another form of Lord Siva.\u00a0 Tiruppugazh also hails the manifestations of Lord Vishnu\u00a0 like Sri Ramachandra.\u00a0 The song rendered at Tiiruchendur accords a warm welcome to Sri Ramachandra thus: \u201cEnthai Varuka Ragunayaka Varuka, Maintha Varuka Makane Inin Varuka\u201d \u2026(ThondhinSariya<\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n

A perfectionist by temperament, an ardent devotee Sri Ramana Bhagavan and one who has travelled extensively, Guruji was a pleasing personality. He always stressed that Tiruppugazh bhajan is a collective prayer, where the individual merges with the whole. There is no distinction of any sort and all devotees are one before God. He used to make particular reference to the song, \u201cAmala Vayu\u201d, where Arunagirinathar makes a prayer: \u201cOh God, give me such as state of unity where I am not separate from the other and others are not separate from me.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It may be added that as many as 30,000 copies of Guruji\u2019s compilation of \u2018Tiruppugazh Vazhipaadu\u2019 have been distributed at a nominal price all over the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Tiruppugazh culture which Guruji has built at the root created a profound impact on the younger generation. During the Isai Vazhiupadu held at many centers on auspicious occasions like Vaikasi Visakam, it is a common sight children sitting in front and joining the rendering even without the help of the book.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Once, while Thiru Muruga Krupananda Variyar was beginning his discourse on Tiruppugazh, he asked over the mike whether some boys and girls could come to the stage and render a Tiruppugazh song.\u00a0 He was surprised when few \u00a0boys and girls came running to the stage, happy at having got the opportunity to sing and started singing very eloquently. \u00a0\u00a0Having witnessed this enthusiastic performance of children in Tbiruppugazh, even an arator like Sri Variyar Swamigal felt loss of words for want of adequate appreciation.\u00a0 He then said:\u00a0 \u201cI can see \u00a0Sri Raghavan has planted the seeds of Tiruppugazh very firm in the young minds and we can have full confidence that Tiruppugazh is destined to grow higher and higher\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Among the many patrons of Guruji, special mention must be made of former President of India, Sri R. Venkataraman.<\/span><\/p>\n

Among the distinguished personalities who took the glory of Thiruppugazh to Himalayan height,\u00a0special mention must be made of Sri G. Balasubramanian, Mumbai, popularly kown as \u2018Thiruppugazh Mama\u2019, a direct disciple of Guruji and his wife.\u00a0 \u00a0 If Tiruppugazh occupies a prime position among devotional literature and is adopted as a way of life by Muruga devotees today, it is largely due to the selfless service rendered by Guruji\u201d, said Sri Vaidyanathan, who teaches Tiruppugazh to the aspirants of Coimbatore. He was a pathfinder for all of us,\u201d said Uma Balasubramaniam, daughter of the well known Tamil scholar and orator Ki.Va. Jagannathan. Just as Lord Krishna graced the voice of Meera and Jayadevar, Lord Muruga had blessed the voice of Guruji\u201d, said another devotee, Sri Ayyappan.\u00a0 It is believed that Muruga worship is never complete without a Tiruppugazh rendering. When a description is given about a Muruga temple, quite often the temple is referred as one visited by saint Arunagirinthar. When a music recital is held, invariably a song from Tiruppugazh is included.\u00a0 When a Tiruppugazh Isai is held, it is mostly the one tuned by Guruji.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was hard to believe that the voice of Tiruppugazh, the voice that hailed the glory of Muruga, the voice that reverberated all over India has become silent one day.\u00a0 It was 17th<\/sup> May 2013.\u00a0 Sri N. Gopala Sundaram, who did the translation of Tiruppugazh songs in Kaumaram website said he was shocked at hearing the news of the demise of Guruji. Guruji was a great inspiration for me to take up the mammoth job of\u00a0 translation\u201d he said.\u00a0 Looking back, it was a glorious life for Guruji; every moment devoted to the worship of Senthil Andavar, the eyes always centering around the image of Muruga, the ears always listening the songs and the voice always reciting \u00a0Tiruppugazh. \u00a0\u00a0There is no doubt that he would have reached the Lotus Feet of Lord Muruga.\u00a0 Tiruppugazh Anbargal consider themselves blessed to be able to live in the same age Guruji lived.<\/span><\/p>\n

It has been decided by Tiruppugazh Anbargal to conduct Arunagiri Mahotsavam by coinsiding with Guruji\u2019s centenary.\u00a0 It will commence from September 2006 and will continue till 2008.\u00a0 Commencing from 6th<\/sup> September at MalaiMandir, RK Puram, New Delhi , it will continue at major cities.\u00a0 While the main content will be Tiruppugazh Isai Vazhipadu, there will be many events like Puja, programs for children, audio visual presentation etc.\u00a0 There is no doubt that Anbargal spread all over India and abroad will participate in these events very actively.\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. PS. This writer had the privilege of being blessed by Guruji and also being the recipient of the Foreword\u00a0 Message for his book, \u201cThiruppugazh Glory to Lord Muruga\u201d on 15th<\/sup> July 2005.\u00a0 \u00a0V S Krishnan<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    September 15, 2003. The Sringeri Pravachana Mandapam at Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai, wore a festive look. Celebrities from music world, pundits from devotional field, \u00a0representatives from Mutts, officials, businessmen, journalists and devotees all had assembled to facilitate the Guru they held… Continue Reading →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2820","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-thiruppugazh"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2820","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2820"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2820\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2859,"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2820\/revisions\/2859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2820"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2820"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.thiruppugazh.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2820"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}