Sengalipuram Muthanna

Sengalipuram Vaidhyanatha Deekshithar or Sengalipuram Muthannaval (1830–1893)

Muthannaval the great guru from the family of Dikshitars was from Sengalipuram near Paruthiyur, on the northern banks of Kudamuruti River, in Thiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu. Sengalipuram was "Shivakalipuram" as it is known in Shastras. It is a village where hundreds of Dikshithar families are living for generations up to today and where great saints like Sri Muthannaval and scholars like Sri Anantharama Deekshithar were born. Sri Vaidhyanatha Dikshitar was known as Periya Muthannaval in the village while his brother subbarama Dikshitar was called chinna Muthannaval.

Sengalipuram Muthannaval was a famous teacher in the area and had a lot of young students in his Gurukul. Muthannaval was a Guru with a great deal of patience who knew that little steps in learning go a long way. He loved to make students comfortable so that the students enjoy having him as their teacher and looked forward to come to the classes each day. He creates a non-threatening, welcoming environment that nurtures each of the students. He understands students and knows what motivates them and he knows how to scaffold activities to ensure that maximum learning occurs. He easily builds relationships with his students as well as their parents. He was a lifelong learner committed to his profession. He ensures that all students reach their maximum potential. He constantly strived to 'reach and teach' every student under his care. Such was the reputation of Muthannaval.

Muthannaval taught Prose, Poetry, Grammar, Kavyam, Natakam, Alankaram and Veda Sastram and Vedanta. In Vedic recitals the same verses in the Four Vedas were recited in four different ways as some alphabets or accents changed. The pronunciations for each of the prayers and texts for rituals are considered very important to gain full benefit of the rituals. A generalized standard method of recitation and pronunciation of Vedic texts were derived from the ancient times. Vedic prayers were generally recited in the same way over generations, from teacher to students following certain basic rules of pronunciations and grammar. These rules are given in the Vedas themselves and in certain texts referred to as Vedangas. Every day Muthannaval trained his students to do Rama Nama and Hari Nama Sankirthanam and Bhajans.

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