THRISSUR: Cine artist Nedumudi Venu on Sunday exhorted Kerala Jyothisha Parishath to protect astrology from undue commercialisation.
Inaugurating the 37th state annual day celebrations of the Kerala Jyothisha Parishath here, he said astrology has become a money spinner at present with the entry of persons without proper knowledge in the subject with a view to making money and exploiting people.
He said that this trend would affect the credibility of astrology, which is a combination of art and various branches of sciences.
In his presidential address, Therambil Ramakrishnan stressed the need to conduct research in astrology in order to make it understandable and transparent to common man. He said that the scientific side ofastrology is not yet clearly elaborated to the common man. He said further clarification of this ancient science is essential for making it more popular and useful to common man.
Presenting the report, general secretary of the Parishath A N Chettiar said the Parishath is at present concentrating mainly in four areas - teaching astrology, publication of its Valiya Panjangam, publication of its monthly magazine and publication of ancient grandhas in astrology, which are out of print at present. He said in all these areas the Parishath has succeeded to a great extent in the past 37 years of its existence.
At the function the AVS Panicker Memorial Suvarna Mudrangitha Daivatnja Puraskaram for the year was presented to Dr Gayathri Devi Vasudev of Bangalore by K Ramesh Kumar, director, Software Technology Park of India.
Astrologers Padumanna Balakrishna Panicker and Aloor Madhava Panicker were honoured at the function with the Parishath’s ‘Jyothishacharya Birudam’. Madambu Kunjukuttan presented the titles. Considering his valuable contributions to popularising astrology among the new generation, the Guru Dakshina puraskaram was presented to astrologer Kanjani Balan Panicker.
Vice-president of the organisation Koottanadu Ravunni Panicker introduced the award recipient Gayathri Devi Vasudev. Jyothy G Thekedath introduced the recipients of `Jyothishacharya Birudam’.
Parishath president A U Raghuraman Panicker welcomed the gathering. Poet Mullenezhi Neelakandan Namboodhiri, Balachandran Vadakkedath and Rajan Kottapuram offered felicitation. K A Narayanan Amballur proposed a vote of thanks.