Ancient Religious Literature - William Blake as Inspired Genius

William Blake first came to me in third year university English, and I was utterly amazed. It was 1969 and so much was happening that we talk about and here was this ancient philosopher who by his nature would be walking today against any war and the system as it was abusing the common man. That was Blake, and yet he spoke, created, crafted his expressions to humanity in ways that he is recognized as one of the greatest English creative minds ever. Tiger, tiger, burning bright...did He Who made the lamb make Thee?

The genius and simple mad great nature in William Blake was there in a study in fourth year tutorial about how Blake and his thoughts were carried forward from his lifetime (1757-1827) that saw him through the worst horrors of the Industrial Revolution when children were virtually chained to tables to produce mass goods, practices we now denounce through the third world, but have really been around since time immemorial.

But when Blake described the naked reality of a small boy stuck in a chimney and abandoned by his chimney sweep because he had had a growth spurt or eaten too much, greedy boy. In the time of the American revolution, while Colonists were fighting against taxation without representation, Blake was speaking of children chained to their wheels or abandoned in a sooty chimney until his cries died down, and the fires burned out his skeletal remains. His soot would filter out over the neighbors for some time, and then be forgotten, an abandoned orphan anyway.

So while mad William Blake stoke the fires of indignation, which set the way for another victim of the rough life of a father who was too much a borrower and so came to know the Poor House, Charles Dickens. And all those words of horror and indignation from the heart of Dickens pushed a change that had already begun, and a life of decency became a standard for all. It took mad William Blake, who said in his later years: the first thing is:

You work up your imagination, and allow it to become a vision, and then the thing is done.

The Wise Men from the East could not have said it better.

William Blake was a visionary in the west: far behind the Buddha in time, but close in his vision. One of the greatest creative minds, dismissed in his time as mostly mad, lived through times when young boys were abandoned in chimneys and their cries could be heard for days until someone, feeling the chill, lit a fire. Blake was driven mad by these rights of the divine and suffering of the many: while America rebelled against taxes on tea, Blake fought to right deeper human freedoms. And yet America admired his ideals and did not allow very many boys to die inside a chimney.Other matters, yes, and with the grace of God we improve our mortal souls.

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Derek Dashwood

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Thanjavur - City of Ancient Art, Literature and Temples

Thanjavur (or Tanjaur) in Tamil Nadu was once the capital of mighty Cholas. It is said that the kingdom was so fertile that elephants used to thrash paddy here. To this day, one can see stately ancient buildings and their ruins on almost every street of the city. Tamil Nadu is known for nurturing literature, classical music and arts for hundreds of years. Thanjavur is not untouched by the sophistication, culture and knowledge that Tamilians are so proud of. Thanjavur paintings use semi-precious stones and gold foil to create deities in a style unique to the region. Since genuine antique Tanjore paintings are extremely rare, you will find only newer ones (perhaps with antique finish) in the market.

Thanjavur is also famous for its Tanjore plates - brass places with silver inlay work, Indian musical instrument known as Veena, and colorful papier mache dolls known as Thanjavur thalayatti bommais which nod their heads like Bharatanatyam dancers. There is an interesting story about how the city of Thanjavur originated. It is believed that Lord Vishnu slew a demon or asur named Thanjan on the banks of River Cauvery. Just before dying, Thanjan prayed to Lord Vishnu that a beautiful and great town named after him rise on the spot of his death and his wish was granted. Thus, Thanjanasur (which later became Thanjavur) came into being.

Though some of the temple sites claim to be thousands of years old, the earliest of the present structures date back to 7th century CE. Home to some of the world's finest temple architecture, Thanjavur has as many as 24 ancient temples that are worth a visit. However, three most celebrated and revered temples at Thanjavur are:

o Brihadeesvara Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the name of the temple literally means 'Big'. The massive temple precincts have an enormous entrance arch and are surrounded by a moat that looks awe-inspiring. The grand temple does not have loud colored frescoes and has been purposefully given a sandstone-color finish to keep it unobtrusive and low key. The 13-tiered entrance tower to the sanctum carries a single block of granite stone weighing 80 tonnes on its top. Other notable features here include a 4-mile long ramp that was built to set the cupola in such a manner that its shadow never falls on the ground; the 12-foot tall monolithic idol of Nandi; and a 12 ft high lingam with a circumference of 54 ft. The beautiful frescoes of the shrine of Goddess Brihan Nayaki; the cave-like temple of Saint Karuvurar; and the Murugan shrine built like a chariot are a must-see at this temple.

o Bangaru Kamakshi Amman Temple: 2 kms from the Big Temple, this temple of Goddess Bangaru Kamakshi has an idol made in real gold, which is believed to have been brought here from Kanchipuram during Muslim invasion.

o Mariamman Temple: Goddess Mariamman, a manifestation of Mother Goddess, is believed to have curative and healing powers. Though the temple was built in the 18th century, the goddess was worshipped here in the form of an anthill since times immemorial. Descendants of the royal family of Thanjavur maintain the temple to this day. Devotees believe that goddess provides relief from measles, chicken pox and skin sores and that drops of moisture appear on the face and head of the idol from time to time.

Besides temples, Thanjavur has some beautiful architectural specimens at the Sivaganga Fort such as the 18th century Schwartz Church and the Royal Palace. The Rajaraja Museum and the Art Gallery are known for their rich collection of Chola bronzes and stone sculptures while the Saraswati Mahal Library in the palace complex has a large collection of rare manuscripts. You can also see panoramic views of the city from the ornamental balconies of the six-storey Sharajah Madi and the biggest cannon in India - Rajagopala Beerangi - at the fort.

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