Cultural Centre

Kulapati Dr. Munshi, the founder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, has laid great emphasis on the learning of our ancient scriptures that contain the age-old wisdom of our forefathers. Today’s educational system gives information and perhaps, knowledge and certainly the eligibility to earn a living. But, unfortunately, it does not teach them how to live joyfully and peacefully. Only our scriptures can teach all that.

In these days, when earning money is the prime criteria, people hardly find time or the willingness to spend money for learning these scriptures. It is a matter of pride that in spite of the foreign invasions and foreign rule, India has preserved most of its treasure houses of wisdom in the forms of the Vedas, Upanishads, the Bhagavat Gita, the great works of Azhwars and Nayanmars and the like.

The Bhavan’s Coimbatore’s Kendra felt the need to give such knowledge to the people, free of cost. With great effort, they got in touch with people who were capable of explaining the meaning of these works in a such a way that the lay people could understand. They also decided on the texts that should be taught.

The Bhavan felt the need for a definite venue and a programme of action and stated its Cultural Centre, on January 23, 2004, at Mariammal Mahalingam Mandram, R.S.Puram, Coimbatore. The Centre, that functions at Purandaradasar Hall, # 69, Arokiasamy Road West, R.S.Puram, is managed by Mariammal Mahalingam Manivizha Trust. It serves as a forum for the dissemination of information regarding classes on Vedanta, Meditation, Yoga etc.

The Cultural Centre is open to members from all strata of the society, who are interested in our ancient Culture and Heritage. The timings are also very convenient. The membership comprises housewives and retired persons, who have the leisure and the mind-set to delve deep into these treasures. Young people also do attend, but not regularly, due to their many commitments.

There is a specific time table and lectures and classes are held on important religious scriptures in Sanskrit and Tamil. Classes have been arranged on all the week days. The lectures are conducted in English and Tamil, depending on the text they are teaching and the availability of the resource person. Swamini Brahmalilananda explains the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita in English. Classes on Siva Jnana Maapadiyam’, and ‘Thiruvasagam’, are held by Sri. R. Senniappan and Sri. Kumaralingam, respectively. Sri Aravind Venkatachalam takes classes on ‘Saiva Sidhantham’ and Sri. Sushanth talks on The Gita. Classes on ‘Chidambara Mummanikkovai’ are conducted by Bhavani Siva. Thiru. Thiyagarajan. Dr. K.Subramanian (IKS) explains ‘Thirukkural’, and ‘Pathinoraam Thirumurai’. Smt. Priya Rajan, gives talks on the Bhagavat Gita. The whole of Bhagavat Gita is read on the first Saturday of every month.

The people who make use of these classes talk very highly of this effort. By constantly listening to the exalted thoughts of our ancestors, they experience a change in their own attitude towards life and have started enjoying peace of mind.

This Cultural Centre is spreading wisdom and joy among the people of this city.