Tirumalai Project – A Collaboration with Sri Ramanuja Society, Singapore
By Smt. Sripriya Vijay, Founder & Director, Swarathmika Fine Arts
Swarathmika Fine Arts is delighted and honoured to have collaborated with Sri Ramanuja Society (SRS), Singapore, on a deeply devotional and musically enriching journey — the Tirumalai Project.
Participants in the video: Smt. Krithika Satish, Smt. Srilakshmi Gokul, Smt. Sripriya Vijay, Sau. Sanjana Satish, Sau. Sarasija Nedumaram, Sau. Dhrithi Balaji, Sau. Ananya Vijay (on violin), Sau. Subiksha Raman (on violin)
This initiative began when a parent of one of my students, who is associated with SRS, approached me with a divine request: to tune and teach all 45 Pasurams of Tirumalai, composed by Sri Thondaradippodi Azhwar, in a way that would allow students to sing them with ease and appreciation.
I wholeheartedly embraced the project in April 2024, seeing it as a sacred blessing. As a lifelong devotee of Sri Ranganathar, I truly felt it was His divine will that nudged me forward with this task. The process began with a deep exploration into the word-by-word meanings and the spiritual context behind each Pasuram.
As I delved into composing tunes, I was amazed at how naturally the ragams aligned with the lyrical and emotional content of the verses. I set each pair of Pasurams in one ragam, ensuring continuity and musical cohesion throughout. I received invaluable guidance from respected scholars, Sri Mukund Swami, Sri Gokul Swami, Smt. Krupa, and Smt. Srilakshmi, especially when I encountered linguistic or interpretative challenges.
With immense support from my dedicated students, we completed learning all 45 Pasurams by November 2024. Their enthusiasm made every class a joyful satsang. Along with Tirumalai, we also included Upadesa Rathna Malai and Prapanda Saaram in our final performance.
Performances
- June 2024: 25 Pasurams were performed during the Vasantha Utsavam at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple.
- January 2025: A full rendition of all 45 Pasurams was presented on the auspicious day of Vaikunta Ekadasi at the same temple.
Digital Outreach
To further the learning and spread the glory of these divine hymns, we began uploading YouTube learning videos, one Pasuram per week, starting in July 2024 and completed the series by June 6, 2025. (Check out the learning videos here)
Divine Pilgrimage
In June 2025, we embarked on a spiritually fulfilling tour to Thirumandangudi, the Avathara Sthalam of Sri Thondaradippodi Azhwar, and visited 12 Divyadesams. It was a moment of divine grace as the children had the rare opportunity to sing the Pasurams right at the Azhwar’s Sannidhi.
This journey has been nothing short of transformational, musically, spiritually, and emotionally. I offer my humble gratitude to Sri Ramanuja Society, my students, the guiding scholars, and above all, to Sri Ranganathar, whose unseen hand guided every note, every word, and every moment of this sacred undertaking.
One response
Very interesting to see the setting up of the Sri Ramanuja Society at Singapore which will strengthen the Srivaishnava activities already organised by the individuals and participated by the Bakthas. We could join the monthly திருவாதிரை திருமஞ்சனம் கைங்கரியம் at SRI Krishna Temple etc till our leaving Singapore in Aug 2022.We will joining the programs on line from India
Srimathe Ramanujaya
Adiyen Dasan