Other Writings

Homage to the stenographer
I was returning home after getting to know the result of my matriculation examination, worrying how my father would respond on hearing that I had failed. My father was sitting in the verandah reading a newspaper. He continued reading the paper without acknowledging my arrival. It was as though he knew about the result. Without waiting for me to break the news, he said: I have selected the best institute, Sriram Commercial Institute and you will go there for training in shorthand and typewriting....

Pappadam, the delicious Dish - Published in "Sruthivani"
Pappadam The plates containing coconut, betel leaves and fruits were exchanged. There were hand-shakes and exchange of pleasantries. Narayana Iyer heaved a sigh of relief that all the rituals associated with the engagement ceremony of his son went very well. It was this moment he was waiting for. ...

About Thiruppugazh - Published in "The Hindu" (Friday, Jul 11, 2003)
On Thiruppugazh - a musical way of worship "A FAMILY bhajan in a temple? I will begin at the beginning. We are ardent devotees of Lord Muruga. Our devotion grows only stronger every time we feel that God is putting it to test. Once, my brother-in-law left my sister, Janaki, at our home and never came back. Months turned into years. We then decided to make a desperate appeal to Muruga by way of 41-day Thiruppugazh bhajan at the Ganapathi temple...

About Palani - Published in "The Hindu" (Friday, Jan 21, 2005)
The special charm of Palani "THIS GOD of Love, beauty and knowledge has been exerting His charm on millions of people in South India The word Muruga is derived from the Tamil word `Murugu' which means honey, beauty, fragrance and eternal youth. He is handsome, brilliant, elegant and enchanting. He symbolises valour, youthfulness, benevolence and compassion. He dons different roles — as Deva Senapathi (commander of Devas' forces) at Tiruchendur, Devasena Pathi (husband of Devasena) at Thirupparankunram), a young sage at Palani, the Master who enlightens at Swami Malai, as Valli Nayakan at Tiruthani and as the handsome youth (Azhagan) at Pazhamudhir Solai. Above all, according to the songs of Thiru Velaikkaran Vakuppu, he is a friend and servant always in service of His devotees.

Brilliant as thousand suns - Published in "The Hindu" (Friday, Nov 19, 2004) ACCORDING to Skanda Puranam, Muruga was created in order to destroy the evil forces and protect His devotees. Skanda Sashti is celebrated every year in all Muruga temples. At Tiruchendur where the actual annihilation of demon Soorapadman took place, the celebrations start six days in advance and culminate in Soorasamharam. The splendidly decorated deity is taken out to the seashore to re-enact the scene and lakhs of devotees congregate to watch this rare spectacle. By adopting a routine of austerity and discipline, they prepare themselves and wait for this day to worship the Lord and receive His bountiful blessings. The grand celebrations come to an end with abhishekam performed on the Vel (lance).

"SUMMA IRU"
Tiruvannamalai remains one of the foremost spiritual centers of the world. Though Mount Kailasa is known as the abode of Lord Shiva, it is said that Tiruvannamalai is Shiva himself. Think of Tiruvannamalai and one attains the salvation. (Smaranath Moksham Tiruvannamalai). It is from here Lord Arunachala bestows His benign grace to all.

About Palada Pradhaman in www.keralaiyers.com
On Palada Pradhaman "Among the first batch of guests who came out after a marriage feast in the Kalyana Mandapam at Palakkad was the beaming Krishna Iyer. As he relaxed comfortably in a chair, the host offered him the plate of 'Thamboolam'. (Betal leaf, nut, lime etc.) "No" declined Krishna Iyer. "But why not?" enquired the guest. "Because" replied Krishna Iyer, "if there was space enough for this beeda in my stomach I could have enjoyed one more round of Paaladai". The dhoti-clad, bare -chest, Narayanan, resting in a corner of the hall after a laborious day, felt elated by this comment. He had reasons to feel so because as Chief Cook in-charge of catering, this was the first feedback he got about the quality of his workmanship...

"The Great Payasam Robbery" - Published in THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS - 'Time Out’ column 22nd July 2008
The marriage of my niece, Lakshmi, was solemnized last month at Palakkad. It was the most talked about wedding in the Agraharam. No, it was not the grandeur normally associated with a wedding but the simplicity, stretched beyond a limit that became the subject of talk.