My Grandad/Thatha was named Iyavoomurthi. He was the spiritual Head of Siddhi Vinayagar temple in Durban, South Africa. The temple hall is named after him. Thatha was a renowned musicologist and studied through Prof. Sambamurthy from India. He was also respected for his knowledge of Tamil grammar. He was able to trace four generations before him through their names.

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He had not taken up the alternate medicine practice from his father A. Pandither.  That science was lost amongst siblings - family of two sons and two daughters.

 

Iyavoomurthy's wife, Annamma had died early in life. They also had three sons and three daughters. He concentrated on his spiritual side; music and philosophy.

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He had composed a number of songs and the one that stands out is a Thillana in raga Vasantha. Thillana is a very rhythmic composition that concludes a Carnatic (South Indian classical music) concert. A raga is a music scale, and raga Vasantha is a scale mainly sung in evenings. The house in Overport, Durban was a constant buzz with people and instruments. Supportive community! 

 

Thatha composed the annual invocation prayer for the commencement of Eisteddfods in Natal Tamil Vedic Society in Durban. He had an amazing talent of incorporating events and dignitaries attending the festival, and a blessing for participants. He was also an adjudicator at the Eisteddfod.

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His knowledge of Saiva Siddhantam philosophy was deep and he constantly researched and wrote at his desk till his end/80's. His awareness of the meanings of the spiritual hymns from Thevaram (composition of the 4 Saiva saints) was inspiring. We were fortunate to grow up in that environment where weekly discourses were held. 

 

His humility was great! If he didn't know the answer to a question, he would acknowledge that, study and get back to the individual. He would not normally travel out of his city.

 

Guru Iyavoomurthy constantly reminded me not to get caught up with fable stories. "Go to the source of the text persistently. Even if you don't understand it initially the meaning would appear to you eventually".

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Before leaving his body he mentioned a 'huge light awaits him in the forest'. He wrote down the date and exact time his death, and the songs to be sung whilst he leaves. He instructed my father in advance to "Go to the temple and start the Monday service as usual, but not wait for the final prayer. Then come straight home (his daughter's house) and  sing a hymn 'Paarodu Vinnay' at that specified time. Quest of the hymn by St. Manickavasagar: 'Please take me to you and  bestow on me your grace.'

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Don't know how my father Balakrishnan internalised all this and strangely remembered all that (including his car keys) had to be done. He completed singing the hymn at the right time as Guru Iyavoomoorthi quietly left his body with a smile.