During my recent India trip, I met musical maestro “Isaignani” Ilayaraja in Prasad studio. It was truly exciting to see him for his achievements in music, his bakthi towards Bagawan Ramanar/Annamalayar etc. My excitement tripled when I met this mami. Why?
I need to step back and tell you a bit about why I was excited. My professor friend used to forward me lots of mails about various kumbabishekams going on in Tamilnadu done by a team. I hardly read any of them – i am honest here! However, I saw all the photos from those emails…I saw a mami (Smt Mahalakshmi) in most of them…walking in the green fields, standing in the middle of a abandoned temple, praying, standing with different adheenams, periyavas etc. I used to think that this lady must be really rich to do these kaingaryams. Only recently I came to know that this mami is not a millionaire, comes from a middle-class family just like you and me – retired as a school teacher. I was completely awestruck to know that she has done at least 50+ kumbabishekams for old and great temples. So, how is it possible? Just her unshaken faith on Mahaperiyava on purna siva and lakshmi kadaksham – nothing else. It is simply not possible for anyone to even think about doing even a small siva kaingaryam without Parameswaran’s blessings. We can’t even move a brick without His anugraham. Mami’s achievements and her simplicity are beyond words.
When I was in Ilayathangudi, a day before acharya’s aradhana function, this mami and her family came. I was able to recognize her face and was very excited to know that I am looking at the same mami who is doing all these kaingkaryams. She quickly identified me and we both spent quite some time talking. She was so kind and soft-spoken – talked to me like a mother! She was talking to me about some of her plans to bring a sannidhi for Mahaperiyava in new temples that are going to be built in the future!
I have requested Shri Shivaraman to interview her about her experience with Mahaperiyava. If Periyava wishes, it may come soon.
I, on behalf of all of you, offer my namaskarams to mami for her selfless service and pray Him to bless mami with all health, energy to continue her Shiva Kaingaryam for much more in the future. I am excited to know that she may be coming to US to visit her daughter soon. If possible, I will meet here again!
Mami lives in T.Nagar and can be reached at vcsmani@yahoo.com.
Shivaya Namaha!!
