Ennapadam Agraharam - 100 Agraharams Project

Ennapadam Agraharam
As we progress in documenting the agraharams of Palakkad in the "100 AGRAHARAMS", I am deeply shocked and saddened to see the current state of Ennapadam Agraharam, a place that once thrived with the wisdom and grace of great elders like Ennapadam Venkatarama Bhagavathar, a revered 'vaggeyakara' and 'harikatha' exponent. The relentless march of time has transformed what was once a vibrant village, home to over 30 families along a single street Agraharam, into an overgrown shrub forest. Today, only five families remain, clinging to the hope that time will show mercy to their Agraharam and their dilapidated Bala Ganapathy Temple. The temple, now completely run down, no longer sees daily prayers or 'puja' for the lord. There is little left for those seeking to reconnect with their roots. I fervently wish and hope that the cosmos will find a way to bring back the sons and daughters of Ennapadam Agraharam and, with good fortune, rebuild this cherished place.
My grandfather Palghat Rama Bhagavathar hosted Ennapadam Venkatarama Bhagavathar a few times and he was a regular at the music & events in Kalpathy. There are many who continue to remember the great Ennapadam Venkatarama Bhagavathar, who composed about 146 kritis of which about 108 are on Krishna with his mudra Venkataramana. He also composed nirupana songs for Harikathas without any mudra. He was honoured by The Music Academy in 1959 with a Certificate of Merit. He was the author of eight rare ragas and talas Viz,. Sumukhi, Raasabouli, Muralinadam, Vrndavanakutuhalam, Prakasini, Sreedhari, Priyadarsini and Rasavarali and also mentioned some talas like Nuti, Preethi and Devaranjanam.
In Chennai, we collaborate with dedicated volunteer groups on 'Uzhavara Pani' for the upkeep of temples. These groups identify dilapidated temples and then clean and restore them for the local communities. I am unsure if similar Uzhavara Pani groups exist in Palakkad. It's time we come together and put in efforts to reclaim temples that have fallen into disrepair.
However, nothing we do can compare to the involvement of those with roots in Agraharams like Ennapadam, which must come back to life.
Remembering with gratitude the elders of a community and their edifices, honors their wisdom, preserves cultural heritage, and inspires future generations to uphold and cherish their shared traditions and values.
Radhe Krishna
Sriram(Hari)
100-Agraharams Project
Rama Bhagavathar Charitable Trust
July 2, 2024

[@ranganathanpv8513]

Very sad situation. God help the Agraharam 🙏🙏🙏

[@NeelakantanGanapathi]

Let us put extra effort to restore lost glory.

[@kasturirangan4124]

I think all people belonging to ennapadam and having their roots there should come forward to take up for restoration of this once prosperous and thriving place.

[@shiviyer8352]

Hello Everyone we should come together to revive this temple

[@parameswaranennapadam3935]

It would be very helpful if the location details of each gramam is shared in the vedieo

[@ganeshramaswamy3581]

Your team is doing a divine activity 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@neelakantansekhar2701]

Super

[@lalithaks3899]

My mother place 🎉

[@Hariharan-gw9ge]

There are two more houses at the end in same line

[@NeelakantanGanapathi]

Let us put extra effort to restore lost glory.