The archakas were going to start the Kodi Erakkam Process on the 9th evening of the Chitrai Brahmotsavam even while the Prabhandham members were reciting the Thiru Nedunthandagam verses
It is a tradition on the 9th evening of the Brahmotsavam to present the 9th and 10th Canto of Thirumangai Azhvaar’s Thirumozhi, and sometimes the 11th Canto as well during the street procession. The Prabhandham members then recite Thiru Kurunthandagam and Thiru Nedunthandagam at the temple complex in case they are not able to complete these verses during the procession.
Thirumozhi presentation during the Street Procession
On Monday evening at the Madhava Perumal temple in Mylapore, this went to plan. The Prabhandham members completed the 9th, 10th and 11th Cantos of Thirumozhi during the street procession. Once Madhava Perumal, in a Pushpa Pallakku, returned from the procession, the Prabhandham members began their recital of Thiru Kurunthandagam and Thiru Nedunthandagam.
It was past 10.30pm and even as they were mid way into Thiru Nedunthandagam, Madhava Perumal made his way into front of the Kodi Maram and the archakas were going to start the process of downing the flag.
When this writer (as a devotee), objected to this action of the archakas to start the process of Kodi Erakkam while Prabhandham Seva Kaalam of Thiru Nedunthandagam was still going on, they said that the Prabhandham members could continue their recital while they (the archakas) start this process.
When 1-2 of the Prabhandham members pleaded with the archakas for a few minutes to complete the Seva Kaalam, the archakas relented and stopped the process.
MA Venkatakrishnan who has been anchoring the Prabhandham Ghosti for the last four decades at Thiruvallikeni Divya Desam confirmed to this writer that it was inappropriate to start the Kodi Erakkam process when the Thiru Nedunthandagam Seva Kalam was still going on. But he also clarified that these days such processes are decided by the strength of the respective temples. If the archakas are strong, they decide the course of action, while the Prabhandham members play only a supporting role even though presentation of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham in an important and integral part of the Brahmotsavam.
In temples where there is no structured and a strong adyapaka ghosti, the Prabhandham recital is pushed to the background. He pointed out that even in Samprokshanams in remote locations, one would find the Prabhandham members sitting in one corner of the temple and reciting the sacred verses.
A devotional presentation by Prabhandham Ghosti
While a group of around 10 members presented the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham with great devotion through the Chitrai Brahmotsavam presenting the Iyarpa, the first 1000 verses and Thirumozhi over the first nine days, unmindful of and insensitive to their presentation of Thiru Nedunthandagam, the Kodi Erakkam process was going to be initiated until better sense prevailed based on their request to complete the few remaining sacred verses.
While Thiruvallikeni Ghosti led by a strong and vocal man like MA Venkatakrishnan can hold their own during utsavams, in many other locations in temples in TN, the Ghosti members largely play only a second fiddle to the entire festivities and they adjust themselves to the way the Utsavam is conducted, says MA Venkatakrishnan.
Prabhandham members pushed to the side on the street
On the 8th day of the utsavam, as Madhava Perumal was making his way to the four Pillared Mandapam from Bazaar street, the Sri Patham pushed the Prabhandham members to the side and moved past the Ghosti recital only for the archaka to pull the Lord with all his might and prevent the Sri Patham from going past the Prabhandham members.
That day as well as on the 9th evening of the Brahmotsavam, the Prabhandham members' conduct was of the highest order, one that Thiru Mangai Azhvaar would have endorsed for they continued their recital in a very devotional way leaving the rest to Madhava Perumal.