Kaisiki Dwadashi Significance

Kaisika Dwadasi Utsavam at Sri Meenakshi Temple of Houston

Elaborate plans are underway at Sri Meenakshi Temple to celebrate the most auspicious Sri Vaishnavite Kaisika Dwadasi with a religious fervor. The event will commence on Friday , October 30, 2009 at 6:30 PM at the MTS Kalyanamandapam.

With an estimated size of 108 trained vocalists and several instrumental and percussion artistes, this festival will make an offering of classical Divya sankeerthanams. This production is mainly composed of mostly residents of Greater Houston. Irrespective of the level of their training, the musicians will offer this sangeetha archana jointly as an expression of their gratitude to their Lord..

From the religious point of view, it is believed that both the participants and the listeners of sankeerthanams on Kaisika Dwadasi day will be blessed with all the fortunes. Program of this event includes several rituals in vaishnavite tradition, procession of the Utsavamurthis and the distribution of prasadam.

In recent years, Houston has become a rich belt of carnatic musicians. An event of this magnitude is possible only with the passionate dedication of many musicians, music teachers and their students.

As a part of this event, a carnatic music recital will be presented on Sunday, November 1 at 5:00 PM at Meenakshi Temple by Sri. R. Suryaprakash (vocalist) currently touring the US Cities. . Sri Suryaprakash will be accompanied by Sri. B. V. Raghavendra Rao (violin) and Sri. Tanjore K. Murugabhoopathi (mridangam).

Admission to both of the events is free; however, your generous donation is appreciated.

For more information, please email : Rama1008@hotmail.com or visit MTS at WWW. Meenakshi.org.

Kaisiki Dwadashi

Dear all: you are invited to join a highly motivated group of Houston based Carnatic musicians to celebrate Kaisika Dwadashi at the Meenakshi temple on October 30th, Friday, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This is a very auspicious occasion and your support will help us seek the blessings of all deities. The vision is to have 108 musicians performing together, in pursuit of spiritual upliftment.

A core group of musicians have thoroughly analyzed a rich repertoire of songs appropriate for the occasion, and have recommended the following:

1) Mathey Malayadhwaja -- Varnam in Kamas, Muthaiyya Bhagawathar composition, Adi thalam

2) Kalai Nirai Ganapathy -- Hamsadhwani, Vallalar composition, Adi thalam

3) Parathpara Parameswara -- Vachaspathi, Papanasam Sivan composition, Adi thalam

4) Sadhimchane -- Arabhi, Tyagaraja composition, Adi thalam

5) Shri Bhargavi -- Mangalakaishikai, (Dikshitar composition), Misra Chapu thalam

6) Paramapurusha -- Shanmukapriya, Annamacharya composition, Roopaka thalam

7) Kurai Onrum Illai -- Ragamalika, Rajaji composition, Adi thalam

8) Thillana -- Danasri, Swathi Thirunal compostion, Adi thalam

Assuming you will be joining us, please be reminded that there are mandatory practice sessions, currently scheduled for October 23rd, Friday, 6:00 PM and October 24th, Saturday, 9:00 AM. The audio files and notations for all these songs will be provided soon by Vidushi Rajarajeshwary Bhat.

No reply is necessary. RSVP only if you are unable to attend. Thank you all and we look forward to working with you in the upcoming weeks. Again, please be reminded that it is mandatory to attend the practice sessions in order to be able to join the group rendition. This is of utmost importance particularly to determine appropriate sruti.

Thank you.