For the next few decades, I hope I will contemplate the profound statement of the legendary Sthapathi V Ganapathy, “Temple is the melody created by rhythm”.
The statement reminds me of the story ‘Iraivan’ by Je in the Ezhukathir series. Where Manikkam Aasari says it’s all Calculation.
Being a research engineer, it took me 5 years to develop a product. At the end, I realised it’s a Calculation.
I have always come to Nithyavanam in the hope of becoming a better research engineer. To converse with intellectuals from different fields. To witness how an artist, philosopher, or a writer thinks.
This time, it was a lovely experience to see the scholarly and artistic depth of our teacher, JK. He stunned us with his vast and in-depth reading from Sangam to modern poetry, history, music and many more.
Arthur Schopenhauer, in his monumental work “The World as Will and Representation”, mentions that to know “is to have the mental power to reproduce at will those judgements that are true”. JK does this seamlessly and with a smile. JK iterated how poets inspire artists. How important is it to read the Puranas, allied art forms, and literature to enjoy the whole experience of temple art and architecture.
During a short break, I raised a query about the parallels between Pallava sculptures and Michelangelo’s David sculpture. Both are in action/motion. While in Western art, the individual artist gets the credit, while in Indian art, it’s the art tradition. JK pointed out/reiterated that in Indian art, it’s always the collective unconsciousness. This reminded me of Je’s Kuruvi short story in the Van Nesavu series.
On the same Sunday evening, I went to the temples in Erode. I felt my eyes had opened. The temple pillars, sculptures, and Gopurams started conversing with me. They always were, only now I have started listening. Our Culture has given us a magnificent treasure; it’s up to us to enter as a honeybee in the vast, eternal flower garden.
Warm Regards,
Vasanth.
