Harivarasanam
Harivarasanam is a lullaby (ashtakam)for Lord Ayyappan at Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, situated in the state of Kerala, India. This divine soothing song became popular through the first stanza in the ‘Keerthanam’ known as "Hariharatmajashtakam" (ഹരിഹരാത്മജാഷ്ട്ടകം)
The author of this devotional song is claimed recently as Konnakath Janakiyamma. It is said that, she wrote this Sanskrit song in 1923. After she wrote this, her father Anantha Krishna Aiyyer who was the then Sabarimala Melshanthi (Chief Priest) and Oracle submitted it for Lord Ayyappa. This a recent claim, with no concurrent proof, apart from handwritten notes.
The original version of the song is only sung inside of temple during the daily temple closing ceremony and the popular version of the song which is different from the original one is also played through megaphones and speakers in the temple complex for the devotees.
Though there are many versions of ‘Harivarasanam,’ the one rendered by carnatic vocalist and playback singer K. J. Yesudas and composed in the Madhyamavati raga by composer late G. Devarajan, is being played for decades at the temple after final poojas.[1]
Background
Kambakudi Kullathu Aiyer, whose book this was published gives a clear indication, for this to be his version of the song. He has written various Sanskrit poetry and his writing style tallies with the Ashtakam which is now sung in the sanctum sanctorum.[2] The text with meaning is given in the above reference. It is a clarification by one of the researchers.
The others who claims it as lullaby, should understand the meaning of the text.
The first singers of Harivarasanam are from the bhajan singers of Purakkattu Anandeswaram Siva Temple.
Konnakath Janakiyamm was 30 years old when she first heard Harivarasanam. She was also pregnant at that time. It was her sixth child. She named him as AYYAPPAN. After that she settled in Shasthamkotta in Kollam District in Kerala and continued to sing Harivarasanam.
Later devotees known as ‘Kalladakkoottam’ sang this song everywhere in Kerala and it became so popular.
In 1950s One of the Melshanthis started to recite this Ashtakam in ‘Sabarimala Nada’ everynight after ATHAZHA SEEVELI (A Ritual Proceeding after the divine dinner) as a song to sleep Ayyappa Swami.
Harivarasanam Song became more popular all over in South India when it included in the famous Malayalam Film Swami Ayyappan in 1975. The great singer K.J Yesudas sang the song and Dewarajan Master was the music director.
The lyrics is also included in the book HARIVARASANAM VISWAMOHANAM collected by Kambakkudi Kulathur Ayyar in 1963.The original author.
In 2007, one Mr, Suresh Madhav happened to glance upon the handwritten notes of Harivarasanam and after that discovery, the great poetess Konnakath Janakiyamma became well popular. She was extremely devout and her children and apparent generations have started to claim the authorship of the ashtakam, with a handwritten book of hers. The authorship of the lyrics is still not clarified. Having said that, She is also the author of the book ‘AYYAPPA KEERTHANAM BHASHA GANAM’. One of the songs in this book is KARUNALAYA KARUNAKARA, and it is so popular.
Her another book is MANIKANDA STHAVA based on this claim, many people are claiming that, she sang Ayyappa to sleep. The Meaning of the song is something more than a mere lullaby. People have started to claim that, she must have gone to the sanctum sanctorum, and there was no bar to women prior. However, the claim also clearly states, that she gave it as an offering through her father M. Anantha krishna Iyer.
Lyrics
| Malayalam | Tamil | Telugu | Malayalam phonemic transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ഹരിവരാസനം വിശ്വമോഹനം |
ஹரிவராசனம் விஸ்வமோகனம்0 |
హరివరాసనం స్వామి విశ్వమోహనం |
Harivarasanam Vishwamohanam |
Harivarasanam Award
Harivarasanam Award is an award jointly instituted by the Government of Kerala and Travancore Devaswom Board. It is awarded for contributions towards propagation of secularism, equanimity and universal brotherhood of Sabarimala through music.[3] It is being awarded since 2012. Each year, Harivarasanam Award is announced ahead of Makaravilakku festival in Sabarimala. The award consists of cash prize of ₹1 lakh, citations and plaque.[4]
References
- "This Sabarimala season, an updated lullaby for Lord Ayyappan". The Hindu. The Hindu. 19 November 2017.
- Gupthan, Paraaya (1 February 2010). "Sanatana Dharma: Meaning of Harivarasanam". Sanatana Dharma. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- "Renowned music composer Ilaiyaraaja was awarded the Harivarasanam Award for 2020 by the Kerala Government". VajiramIAS.com. 16 January 2020. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- "Harivarasanam Award for Ilaiyaraja". The Times of India. 28 December 2019. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2020.