ஆலயம் தொழுவது சாலவும் நன்று
It is said that it is from this area Ravana lifted Seetha Devi. Then on his way back after defeating Ravana and securing the release of Seeta, Rama named the Lord of this place under a Punnai tree as Sathyawageswarar.
The king Veera Marthanada maharaja who brought the temple to the present shape, is mentioned as a Chera king as well a Pandya king in different places. After the stone writings are decoded from the temple, may be we will know the true picture.
In Thevaram Kalakad finds a place under the name ThenKalakkudi, sung by Thirunavukkarasar in 6Th ThiruMurai - Adaivuth thiruthandagam, as a “Vaipusthalam”. It can be firmly believed that must have been there in Moovar Thevaram, but they must have been lost along with the 92% that was lost in Chidambaram.
Dr. U.Ve. Saminatha Iyer writes in his history (Yen Sarithiram page 686) that he collected a full book ob “Pathup Pattu” from one Mr. Swaminatha Desikar in Kalakad.
Last but not the least, contributions from Kalaimamani Kalakad Ramanarayana Bhagavatahar to Carnatic music cannot be forgotton, though just like Kalakad, he also has not been fully recognised.
It is sincerely believed that Kalakad gains its due respectful position it deserves sooner than latter. Let us firmly hope that the completion of the long pending Kumbabhishekam will propel Kalakad towards that way.
Sadly, not much of the past history of Kalakad is known. So, only recent known facts are stated here. If you know any authoritative facts kindly e mail it to mani@kalakad.org or submit through the feedback form put up at this site through the Feedback link.
ECM school(Estd in 1911 itself!)
Board high school or Government high school
K.A.M.P.Meerania high school
Post office
Police station
Bus stand
AnnaStatue
Bhagayalakshmi Talkies
Sathiawageeswarar Koil or Periya koil
Masoodhi in Kila Radhaveedhi
Aathankarai Pallivasal
Park
Church
Theradi
Ninaithathai Mudiththa pillaiyar koil
Teppakulam
River (Gauthama nadhi!)
Sri Ganapathi bus service
TVS
TMBS
Kiramachavadi
Government hospital in Big street.....
Temples in each corner
Pakkoda kadai before the library .....and many more!
May be a few, like ECM school exist no more.
Even the river is almost gone.
Very unfortunate.
But there is a lot more now.
New people. New buildings. Modern facilities. A big bus stand. Yes it is all true!
No doubt Kalakad looks much improved now.
On its own.
But a lot more need to happen.
So what are you waiting for?
There is need for all of us to GIVE back, more than what Kalakad gave us. For the religious minded, Kumbabhishekam of the RajaGopuram of "Peria Koil": For the secular minded people, preserving the religious harmony that normally prevails there: For the "tech savvy", making full use of the tools available now to unite old time friends and kindle their memories: For the unconcerned general public, creating more employment opportunities!
And for the future, making the schools shine. To produce the likes of great Abdul Kalam! Let us dream and discuss of the impossibles, and probably make it possible! For a change extract Kalakad's share from the Government which has been always extracting more than its share!
In short, to get recognition for Kalakad, instead of it being referred to commonly as a place of the lion tailed monkeys OR evergreen forests! Our purpose now must be more than just bringing together the people of Kalakad, who are spread all over the world. . . . . . .