CHENNAI: The Tamil month of Margazhi is associated with spiritual awakening, musical euphoria and a special bond with Tulsi, the queen of herbs. How do contemporary artistes interface with the sacred Tulsi? Let’s find out.
The framework of Indian thought abounds with sacred flora and fauna reflecting our collective reverence for nature. Nevertheless, Tulsi holds her own in Indian ethos. For instance, one poignant association of Tulsi with Margazhi revolves around the saint poetess Andal. As a baby, Andal was discovered in a Tulsi grove by Perialwar. In Tiruppavai, Andal glorifies Tulsi with the words ‘Narrath thuzhai mudi aarayanan’. Our scriptures say ‘Tula na na asthe atheva thulasi (Tulsi is matchless) and the herb resonates in both musical and dance compositions.
Does the queen of herbs continue to fascinate our artistes? We spoke to some of them on how they view and relate to the herb in contemporary times. “Tulsi is embedded in the Indian psyche in a very deep way,” says Aruna Sairam, vice chairperson, Sangeet Natak Academy, Delhi.
In music, compositions on Tulsi abound and are sung. “Every time Thyagaraja mentions Rama pooja, he talks of it.”
Among its physical attributes is the fact that if a singer chews two leaves of Tulsi a day, it protects the voice and throat.
It is a strong antiseptic, keeps away the negative vibrations. Aruna continues, “When you pray for a loved one living in another place, you offer water to tulsi with the belief that the effects of the prayer will be fulfilled.
Noted singer OS Arun always includes Thyagaraja compositions Tulasi dhala in Mayamalavagowla raaga and Tulasamma in Deva Gandhari raaga in his concerts. He says, Aalola tulasi vanamala by Bhadrachala Ramdas in raaga Bhairavi set in the lilting Thisra Nadai is very popular.” Ranjani of the Ranjani-Gayatri duo says, “Yes of course, we have a Tulsi plant a home.”
Veteran Bharatanatyam and Kathakali dancer VP Dhananjayan says his family gives a lot of importance to Tulsi. He shares, “Many of our students gift Tulsi saplings to the audience after their Arangetrams.” Meanwhile, Hari Padman, noted Bharatanatyam and Kathakali dancer-choreographer had all his dancers wear Tulsi garlands instead of traditional jewelry in his acclaimed production of Swathi Thirunal’s Ramayana.
“Ramayana being a spiritual choreography, I decided on Tulsi garlands in a bid to hold a heightened sense of devotion and spirituality. I felt that when you wear something so auspicious, you imbibe, feel and transmit its essence,” he says. And yes, he has Tulsi plants at his home in the Kalakshetra campus. “Snakes don’t come near our home on account of this, although the campus itself has many snakes.”
Noted danseuse Anita Ratnam shares, “Tulsi has always had a presence in my life, and continues to be. When we renovated our house, we retained the ancient Tulsi madam that my mother and grandmother used to tend to. My childhood memories include seeing my mother sit by the Tulsi plant and reflect on the day, my grandmother plucking Tulsi leaves for pooja and insisting that we eat a Tulsi leaf every day.
As a dancer, I have referred to Tulsi in one of my productions where Seetha curses Tulsi. Many dancers have done entire productions only centered on Tulsi.”