Kalinga Nardana Krishnan
Temple, Oothukkadu – History
Constructional History:
The temple dates back to the Chola
period though proof is not available. At its early stage, the temple premise
was very small. This temple was renovated to its present form by the King
Nalakonda Chola after the advent of the Utsavar idol, Sri Kalinga Narthana Krishnan.
Venkata Kavi:
Oothukkadu is more known for the
great musician Mahakavi Venkatasa Subbhayyar. Mahakavi Venkatasa Subba Iyer,
popularly known as Venkata Kavi, who lived in the 17th century CE
spent his entire life in front of the Thulasi Mada composing a number of
melodious songs in praise of this deity. Some of the famous songs include
“Thaye Yashoda”, “Alai Payudhe Kanna”, “Paal Vadiyum Mugam”, “Asaindadum Mayil”,
“Enna Punniyam” and “Aadadhu Asangadhu Va Kanna”. Venkata Kavi’s ‘Omkara
Siddhaiga Kalinga Narthana’ is a specific reference to the Lord of Oothukkadu.
He has also composed seven songs referred to as Saptha Rathna Kirtanai.
He considered Shri Krishna as
his Guru and referred to him as such in 14 kritis. He had composed over 400
songs, mostly in Tamil and Sanskrit. It is believed that Shri Muthusamy
Deekshitar was inspired to compose his celebrated Nava Varna Kritis after
listening to Venkatakavi’s Kamakshi Navavarna kritis. People would have heard
about Pancharathna Kritis of Thyagaraja. However, Venkatakavi composed
Saptharathna Kritis (five on Krishna and two on Shiva) much before Thyagaraja. Unlike
the latter’s Telugu kritis, six of them are in Sanskrit and one in Tamil. It is
reported that Alai Payudhe was his last composition.
The starting verses of some of
these songs can be found on the temple walls. A separate niche has been erected
for the composer, adjacent to which a new hall is constructed to feature the
concerts of musicians and dancers. It is heard that in centuries gone by, plays
used to be presented through the night in front of the temple during
Vasantotsavam (May-June). The temple has initiated similar concerts / plays at
the newly erected stage during Krishna Jayanti festival in Avani. The stage is
used as a platform for arangetram for up and coming artists.
