How a temple turned into a Nagaswararam and Thville School

This 3. It is 45 o’clock, and there is a cold in the air. In the soft light of the morning, the students engaged in line for their daily programs – Nagasvaram and Thawal to practice near Mettupalam at the then Tirupati Lord Srinivas Temple at Mettupalam at Jadamapalam. By 6.30 am, the temple resonates with the sound of equipment.

These are the students of the then Tirupati Nagaswar and Thawal School, who was established in 2008, was anointed seven years after the construction of the temple and as part of the prayer complex of KG Group of Industries, Coimbatore. KG Balakrishnan, President, KG Fabric and the founder of the school say, “When I thought of doing something to promote art and culture, I decided to set up a Nagaswaram and Thville School due to close relations between the temples with the temples.”

Initially, only Nagasvaram was taught. In 2010, Thville classes started. “Students are given free boarding and a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000,” says the school’s principal Sashadari Bhattar.

Pandallaur Subash has been teaching Thawal in the school since his establishment. He is a scholar Pandallur Rathinam Pillai’s ancestral grandson. “I first learned the Thawil from my father’s Guru Pandallaur Vaidyanath Pillai and later my father Pandallaur Muthappan, Thirupapangur Govindaraja Pillai and Thiruvalpathur Kaliyamurthi. He was in Singapore and Canada before going to this school.

Currently, students of 32 Thville and 14 Nagaswar learn in school. They practice from 4 am to 6.30 am at Srinivas Temple, they participate in classes from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm with a small break for lunch. From 6 pm, they start again Sadhakam In the temple.

Both courses are of a period of four years. In the first year, they are taught Pillarer Padam, Talas, Otha Kai Padam, Rettai Kai Padam, and so on. In the second year, they start Silumbu Palagai. In the third year, they begin to play Thville. External examinees Swamimali Manimaran, Aduthurai Perumal Kovil D. Shankaran, Swamimamalai Sethuraman and Kottaiyur Chakrapani Nagasvaran and Thawal students evaluate.

Pagneri Pilappan, Tamil Isai Sangam, the recipient of the Muthij Perringer Award from Madurai is Nagaswararam teacher in the school. He used to run a Gurukulam in his home in Madurai for 35 years, and trained more than 200 students. When his wife passed away, he went to this school.

Pilappan learned from his father Kotachami Pillai, who was a student of Vedaranam Vedamurthy. Pilappan was later part of the set of Thiruppertudram AP Raja, and was played in Singapore, Malaysia, Rangoon and Mauritius.

A video of Pilappan, who played the role of Malayamarutham at the Paganari Nilakateshwar temple, attracted the attention of actor Kamal Haasan, who shared the video on X, and composed a poem praising the artist.

So, what is the course for Nagaswararam in school? “In the first year, there is only vocal training. I teach students Githams, Alankaram and Taal. In the second year, they play Nagasvaram, and in the second and third year, they are taught Varna and Kirtana.

School students and faculty | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Seventeen -year -old Arulchelvan is the second year student of Nagasvaram, who heard the facilities in the school, and joined the classrooms.

The students play during the Yatsavas at the then Tirupati Srinivas Temple. During the gate Brahmotswa, in addition to two resident teachers, three famous Nagaswararam and Thawal play in the Widvan Temple. Senior students turn to play with them. “This helps improve their skills,” says Subash.

Students get a certificate at the end of the course. “Some of them want training further and we keep them in touch with teachers of our choice,” Subagh says.

N. Sabari, a Pathawil student, whose parents and sister Nagasvaram are players, say, “I want to go for advanced training under Dharapuram Ganesan sir after finishing the syllabus here.

The school attracts students in Tamil Nadu.

“One of our students, Srikanth, from Ulundurpet, received the National Bal Sri Award, an award presented to the creative children by the National Bal Bhavan. It is one of the highest national honors for children,” said Subhash.

Even as soon as we speak, the students line up after the classrooms of their day for regular practice in the temple – from where the idea of ​​the school began. This initiative will not only help in promoting Nagaswararam and Thville, but will also equip young learners of equipment with confidence and skills required to make its place in the music world.