Shree Ayyappaa Kshetram

The musical ability and religious knowledge of the Kolapan family developed due to their regular and constant involvement in cultural and spiritual activities. After completing his medical degree in Cape Town, Dr. Rajgopal Kolapan, regularly attended the Sunday morning bhajan at the Shivan Aalavam. With the passage of time, devotees such as Mrs Yogi Pillay (11th Avenue, Laudium) and Mrs. Chetty (Emerald Street, Laudium), who regularly attended Sunday bhajan, passed away. The following devotees continued the bhajan: Rajgopal Kolapan, Neelan Padayachy, Vichitra Chetty, Bhavani Kolapan, Udesh Muruven, Bhuveneshvari Muruven, Manisha Dinna and Shaneil Dinna. They introduced an alternative format, which importantly included a discourse on religious and spiritual matters. The bhajan progressively attracted other devotees and a “bhajan group” with a unique order and style of singing emerged. The Ramakrishna centre of Laudium, led by Professor Minkaj Joshi, invited “the Bhajan Group” to participate in a Bhajan Samelin at the Seva Samaj Auditoriun. Professor Joshi insisted that the group be given an identity and Dr. Rajgopal Kolapan subsequently contacted Sri Nadarajan Sharma. Sri Nadaraian Sharma was the resident priest at the Mariamman temple in Pretoria. He was requested to assist with giving the “the group” its identity and a day later, suggested the name “Pretoria Bhaianai Mandram”. When translated, it means “the congregation of sweet smelling people, from Pretoria, searching for truth”. The name was instantly adopted and all future activities of the group” were performed under the name “Pretoria Bhajanai Mandram (PBM)”, even though “the group” was not officially registered. With the birth of this name, Pretoria Bhajanai Mandram (PBM), the impetus for formalising the group into an organisation emerged in 1995. In 1995, Pretoria Bhaianai Mandram was formalized at a meeting held at Dr. Rajgopal Kolapan’s residence (Claudius, Pretoria) in the presence of Swami Brahmaananda of Malaysia, who blessed this auspicious occasion. The first executive body was elected and composed of the following members: Dr. Rajgopal Kolapan – chairman (Claudius), Mr Neelan Padayachy (Erasmia), Mr Jayaram “Karthie” Kolapen (Laudium), Mrs Vanie Nadar (Midrand), Mrs Premie Pillay (Midrand), Mr Surren Naidoo (Erasmia), Mr Rajen Chinsamy (Laudium), Mrs Saris Pillay (Laudium) and Dr. Dhesi Achary (Laudium). Even at this inception, determination in striving to achieve good governance was initiated.

Dr. Rajgopal Kolapan identified a vital need to commence meaningful spiritual instruction in Laudium. The revival of these discourses and religious education would sustain our culture for future generatons to understand and enjoy. The organisation continued with Sunday morning bhajan in its revised format, and included discourses on various facets of Hinduism. As Pretoria Bhajanai Mandram progressed and continued to enjoy the vibrant bhajans, the realisation dawned that many of its devotees did not understand what was sung. In order to address this, time was dedicated to questioning and interpreting the lyrics, not only of songs but also of spiritual teachings. Devotees were encouraged to develop an enquiring attitude towards the content of discourses and this led to stimulating discussion within the group, which transformed the organisation’s aspirations and image. As the popularity of Pretoria Bhajanai Mandram increased, so did the requests to participate in ceremonies/pooja in homes, temple celebrations, and special functions within the local and extended communities. The concept of discourses was introduced at every opportunity and this effort introduced many new members to the organisation resulting in a steady growth in membership (particularly youth), as well as depth of spiritual activity. Through this involvement in the extended communities, the spiritual discourses provided comfort to those in mourning, joy to those in celebration and inspiration and knowledge to those in searching. This spiritual vibrancy afforded opportunities for Pretoria Bhaianai Mandram to interact with various other religious and cultural organisations, such as the Ramakrishna Centre, Divine Life Society, Navyuka Mandal, Sathya Sai organisations, Sanathan Ved Dharma Sabha of Pretoria and Lenasia. The organisation’s involvement in chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa in Laudium, Benoni, Lenasia, and Palmridge re-emphasised the group’s flexibility and determination in learning songs written in an array of Hindu languages (Sanskrit, Thelagu, Hindi, Gujerathi and Tamil .This was highlighted at a particular celebration of the Hanuman Chalisa (Lenasia), in the presence of His Holiness Morari Bapu, where the organisation’s effort spread across linguistic barriers in order to promote Hindu dharma. Furthermore, the participation of the organisation extended across provincial boarders into Mpumalanga and Kwa-Zulu Natal. The devotional fervour, commitment and conduct of the organisation resulted in many invitations from the media. This enabled the organisation to appear on national television and radio talk shows.