'CONFLUENCE OF RIVERS IN THIRUPPUGAZH' MUSICAL DISCOURSE

BY SRI E.N.MURTHY AND SMT CHITHRA MURTHY on 24-5-2025

'திருப்புகழில் நதிகளின் சங்கமம்' - திருப்புகழ் இசைப்பேருரை- வழங்குபவர்கள் ஸ்ரீ E.N. மூர்த்தி, திருமதி சித்ரா மூர்த்தி

After the great grand celebrations of Maha Kumbh Mela, the next major celebration was Saraswati Pushkaram at Prayagraj, with blessings from our Kanchi Shankaracharya Jagadguru Sri Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal from 15.5.25 to 26.5.25.

Each year, Pushkaram is celebrated when Guru Bhagwan shifts from one Rasi to another, which is connected to an ancient river. Saraswathi Pushkaram was celebrated when Guru shifted to Mithuna Rasi, which is related to Saraswati river. A lot of religious and cultural programs took place on all these days.

As a part of the celebrations, there was a special Thiruppugazh Bhajan on the 24th of May.

The collection of songs called Thiruppugazh was written by Saint Arunagirinathar around 600 years ago. He is supposed to have sung around 16000 songs, out of which only 1340 could be retrieved because of extensive damage to the palm leaves. The songs not only praise Lord Karthikeya but have innumerable

references to the Shanmada propounded by Adi Shankara as six margaas to reach the Almighty's Lotus feet.

Arungirinathar has more than 145 references to rivers of our country in his songs. Our revered Guruji, late Sri.A.S.Raghavan, with the immense blessings of Lord of Tiruchendur, set to tune 503 songs in lovely classical ragas during his lifetime, out of which they have selected a few that mention rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, and also Kaveri.

The 'THIRUPPUGAZH DHAMPATHY' has presented a Thiruppugazh, which references the River Saraswati and was set to tune in Saraswati Raga itself by Guruji Sri A.S.Raghavan.