Commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago addresses, Department of Tamil, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore organized one day national level seminar entitled “Kadaikkappu in Tamil” on 17.09.2018 at G.K.D. Auditorium, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya Campus.
Dr. V. Ponnusamy, Principal of the College welcomed the gathering. Swami Nirmaleshananda, Secretary of the college presided over the function. Swami Garishthananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya blessed the gathering and delivered a talk on “Kadaikappu in Indian Philosophical History”. Swamiji also released the Seminar Proceedings entitled “Cultural History in Kadaikkappu” (Panpaatu varalaru Pesum Kadaikappu) which is a compilation of fifteen research articles of eminent research scholars in the field of this seminar. Dr. N. Shunmugom, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Tamil delivered the Keynote address. Dr. T. Balamurugan, Assistant Professor of Tamil proposed vote of thanks in the Inaugural function.
In Tamil history, Fifth to Twelfth century was the golden era for ‘Tamil Bakthi Movement’. During this period Tamil Poet – Saints ie. Devotees of Lord Shiva (Nayanmars) and Devotees of Lord Vishnu (Azhwars) spread the divine philosophies and praise of their God to the public through their Tamil hymns. The Compiled verses of Nayanmars and Saivatees were named as ‘Thirumurai’ and ‘Divya Prabandham’ for Azhwars.
Thirumurai is a twelve volume compendium of hymns in praise of Lord Shiva in Tamil (during 6th to 12th century by various Poet – Saints in South India). The Divya Prabandham is a collection of 4000 tamil hymns composed by Twelve Azhwars in the praise of Lord Vishnu.
Collection of Ten songs under one title is called as ‘Pathigam’ in Tamil. This is the structure Nayanmars and Azhwars mostly used in their hymns. Some of the Nayanmars and Azhwars used to explained the benefits of chanting their Pathigam in the last verse. Some Poet – Saints such as Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar, Thirumangaiazhwar, Nammazhwar used to explain the benefits in the 11th or 12th verse of their Pathigam. The last verse is called as “Kadaikkappu” in Tamil (Kadai – Last, Kappu – Protection). It doesn’t explain only the benefits of chanting the hymn but also the social history, literary structures, Temple history, Political history, history of the poets, Arts, Music and so on.
If Research would have been taken place in this field, new history of Tamil Language and Culture may be unearthed. It may help to write and rewrite the History of Tamil language and Culture. On this basis, this seminar was planned and organized.
Seven eminent research scholars from various universities and research institutions presented their research articles on Kadaikkappu. Seven Faculty members of our college who are well versed in this subject also published and presented their research article in this seminar.
Nine sessions were organized to expose the various dimensions of Kadaikkappu. They are as follows:-
Dr. S. Venkataraman, Formerly Head, Department of Tamil, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai presented a paper on “Kadaikkappu in Tamil – Several Discussions”, which highlights the Social Background of the Kadaikkappu Literature in the basis of Thirugnanasambandar’s hymns.
Dr. C.N. Muthukumaraswamy, Formerly Principal, Thavathiru Santhalinga Adigalar Arts Science Tamil College, Perur, Coimbatore presented a research article on “Musical Concepts in Kadaikkappu”. This article highlights the importance of the Musical forms which Thirugnanasambandar composed and quoted in his last verse of his Pathigam.
Dr. S. Sethupathi, Assistant Professor of Tamil, Barathidasan Government Womens College, Pondicherry presented a paper on “Refined Aspects in Karaikkal Ammaiyar’s Hymns”. This paper brought out the new Ideas of Karaikkal Ammaiyar’s Kadaikkappu, who was the first to use Kadaikkappu structure in Tamil Bakthi Movement.
Dr. G. P. Nallasivam, Head, Department of Philosophy, Tamil University, Thanjavur, presented a paper on “Kadaikappu of Thirugnanasambandar”. This article brought out the significance of Thirugnanasambandar’s Hymns in the formation of Tamil musical Tradition.
Dr. N. Shunmugom, Head, Department of Tamil, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore presented a paper on “Prominent thoughts on Nammazhwar’s Kadaikkappu”. The structure – form of the Thiruvaaimozhi, 1000 verses were pre – conceived thoughts of Nammazhwar, which focused on each soul will attain the Supreme Bliss.
Dr. K. Nagaraju, Head, Department of Tamil, Thavathiru Santhalinga Adigalar Arts Science Tamil College, Perur, Coimbatore presented a research article on “A Historical View on Kadaikkappu Hymns”. This Article highlights the appearance and growth of Kadaikkappu in Tamil from Tholkkappiyam, the very first Tamil literary work we have in our hand, which is considered as 2500 years old.
Dr. M. Renuka, Assistant Professor of Tamil, PSGR Krishnammal Womens College, Coimbatore presented a paper on “ Life Oriented Values in the Third Volume of Thirugnanasambandar’s Hymns”. This article highlights the value based life thoughts revealed in Thirugnanasambandar’s Hymns.
Dr. C. Viswanathan, Associate Professor of Tamil, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore presented a paper on “ Salvation in Thirumangai Azhwar’s Kadaikkappu”. Thirumangai Azhwar, one among the Twelve Azhwars quoted about the Salvation of the Soul in his hymns. This article tried to expose it.
Shri S. Sakthivel, Tamil Researcher, Coimbatore presented a paper on “Saiva Siddhantha Concepts in Kadaikkappu”. Saiva Siddhantha is one of the Saiva philosophy, extracts from Panniru Thirumurai and Saivagamas. This article highlights how it is presented in Thirugnanasambandar’s hymns.
Interaction sessions were held to clarify the doubts of the participants.
The Validictory function was started at 04.15 pm on the same day. Swami Nirmaleshananda, Secretary of the college delivered benedictory address. Dr. R. Gokul, organizer of this Seminar, Assistant Professor of Tamil, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, presented the report of the Seminar. Dr. R. Anand, Assistant Professor of Tamil, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science presented Vote of Thanks.
Totally 149 Participants from Various institutions participated in the seminar. Especially Professors, Research Scholars, Post Graduate Students in Tamil Literature, Former Professors, Doctors, Devotees were participated and benefited by this seminar.
