[Advaita-l] Bhajans and arati in Puja

[Venkata sriram P]

Namaste,

In south, the bhajana paddhati was streamlined by Maruthanallur Satguru Swamigal.  
There were 3 pithaamahaas for bhajana paddhati in South namely Maruthanallur Satguru swamigal, 
Sridhara Venkatesha Ayyaval & Bhagavannama Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamigal.  

Thus, started the Thanjavur Parampara.  Later, 'Radha Kalyanam' was introduced by Maruthanallur Swamigal.  
It was He, who codified & streamlined 'dakshina bharata bhajana paddhati' after travelling far & wide across 
India and observing various bhajana paddhatis / kirtanas.

As per Thanjavur parampara, a long lamp is lit and bhagavan Krishna / Rama are invoked into the deepam.  
A short shodashodapara puja is performed to the deepam and later the bhajana starts.  
The climax is achieved when all the participants of bhajana mandali circumambulate  around the lamp 
with a rythmic dance (like kolaatam).  A magnificent sight & event to see !

Among many, currently, Udayalur Kalyanaraman Bhagavatar & Vittal Das Maharaj are 
spearheading this movement.

rgs,
sriram