Krishnaganam

CHARITABLE COUPLE: ’Pithukuli’ Murugadas and his wife Devi Saroja Murugadas

Singing devotionals for a cause

For ‘Pithukuli’ Murugadas, serving the poor is the objective of his life

TIRUCHI: He has been using his mellifluous voice for a charitable cause for the past several decades.

Age does not deter the noted singer of devotional songs ‘Pithukuli’ Murugadas in keeping the audience vibrant all through his recital in his unique style_ playing on the harmonium in high pitch.

His arduous padayatra through the length and breadth of the country for decades in the early part of his life was marked by a purpose – spreading devotion among the masses by singing devotional songs.

He fondly recalls his association with seers who had inspired him.

Rigorous meditation in caves at places including Marudamalai and Palani, without taking food for days together, has blessed him with both spiritual and physical fitness, he says.

Sri Brahmananda Paradesi, Sri Ramana Maharishi, Swami Sivananda, Swami Ramadas and Swami Abhayadananda were some who guided him towards the right spiritual path.

“It was Sri Brahmananda Paradesi who called me ‘Pithukuli’ whom I had injured while playing during my boyhood. He had rightly predicted the services which I was to render during my life.

His spiritual services were more directed towards the have-nots, the physically-challenged, the Harijans and the less privileged.

In the early years of his concerts, he politely denied any remuneration but asked the organisers to arrange for free distribution of food.

“Later, I had to accept money only to be diverted to the genuine service organisations working for the physically-challenged and the economically poor. I despatch the cheques on the ‘Thai Poosam’ day every year, which is my birthday,” says Sri Murugadas, who turns 86 on January 23. His wife, Devi Saroja Murugadas, shares his view that service to humanity is service to the Almighty.

He had participated in the freedom struggle and was imprisoned at Bangalore for about six months.

source:http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/18/stories/2008011850040200.htm