Thread by @BanCheneProduct

#Thread
Very interesting reading while reflecting the values our earlier generations stood for.
🙏🙏 🙏

Once Narasaiyar, deep in debt, was forced to borrow, but his efforts to find a lender were in vain. He approached Ramabadra Moopanar of Kapisthalam, a wealthy

1

and generous music connoisseur. After enjoying Moopanar’s warm hospitality for a few days, he gently broached the purpose of his visit.

“I have incurred some unexpected expenditure. I feel greatly inhibited about asking anyone for money, but then I remembered you.

2

I thought I might get a loan from you."

“Loan? How much do you need?” asked Moopanar.

“Eighty sovereigns,” replied Narasaiyar.

“You say you want a loan. Will you pledge anything as security?” asked Moopanar.

“Yes, I will,” said Narasaiyar, after some thought.

3

"What will you give as security? An ornament, an abharanam. Let me see it,” said Moopanar.

“You cannot see it, you can hear it, it is imperishable, it is a spring of joy, it is my #Ragam #Sankarabharanam. I pledge it. Until I return this gold,

4

I promise I will not sing it anywhere.” Moopanar agreed and gave the gold. Narasaiyar signed a deed, left with the gold and settled his debts. After that, he sang other ragams at his concerts but never sang #Sankarabharanam.

5

At this time there lived in Kumbakonam a wealthy man named Appu Rayar, a high-ranking employee of the East India Company. Since he wielded influence in Thanjavur and Tiruchirapalli, he was called Ubhaya Samasthana Diwan. Wallis, a British officer had great regard

6

for Appu Rayar, so he was even called Wallis Appu Rayar. He owned properties in Reddirayar Agraharam in Kumbakonam. A wedding came up in Rayar’s family. He wanted to celebrate it grandly, and he arranged for concerts by the best musicians, including Narasaiyar.

7

During the concert, Appu Rayar and the audience requested Narasaiyar to sing #Sankarabharanam. Narasaiyar explained that he had pledged the ragam, and could not sing it until he had repaid the loan. Appurayar was astonished to hear this and offered to help him repay the loan.

8

He sent an emissary with the gold (together with the interest accrued) to Moopanar, asking him to close the loan and redeem the pledge. Moopanar immediately set out to Kumbakonam and met Narasaiyar and Appu Rayar.

9

“Forgive me,” said Moopanar. “The great vidwan has the right to ask me for any amount. Is not my wealth only to help people like him? It hurt me that he needed a loan. In jest, I asked for security and he offered the ragam.

10

It shows his integrity that he has not sung it since. This money is not mine, it is his. You give it back to him. Moreover, for imprisoning #Sankarabharanam all these days, let there be a penalty on me, also to be paid to him. Here is the release deed.”

11

“We have seen borrowers returning the loan with interest. But for a lender to return the money along with penalty is unheard of,” said everyone, amazed by Moopanar’s magnanimity.

12

The next day, at the wedding, Narasaiyar sang #Sankarabharanam and its notes poured like nectar from the heavens on the audience below. And Narasaiyar became Appu Rayar’s favourite vidwan.

13

From a collection of U.Ve.Sa’s #essays, translated by #PrabhaSridevan & #PradeepChakravarthy and edited by #MiniKrishnan.