Memorable cricket matches/moments on the Radio
Memorable matches on the Radio- 1985 and after
1.India v England – WCC 1985- cut school to listen to LS bowling
I remember this day as I came in early from school ( half a day cut, one may call it) in Bangalore to listen to LS’ bowling on Radio Australia.(The Aussie commentators had a high opinion of LS- remember he had bowled well in India’s first match in the WCC against Pak. When I reached home, England were rather doing well in their reply with Gower in form. LS caused a collapse removing 3 top batsmen one after another. A match that afternoon which looked like going the full distance was suddenly cut short by LS who got David Gower and Lamb. In the earlier match he had got Zaheer Abbas. India won the match comfortably. The spin duo of Shastri and LS made it a potent attack for India that season.
However the MOM was the other star of that tournament- Krishnamachari Srikkanth who that morning had scored a run a ball half century in his typical style.
2. Hadlee’s 15 wkts at the Gabba to help NZ to an innings win against Aus- 1985-8621 years ago this month, I woke up early morning to listen to Richard Hadlee ripping through the Australian batting line- a very inexperienced one at that…. Hilditch ( Indian fans will remember him well- he had come here in 1978-79 with a 2nd rung Australian team under the captaincy of Kim Hughes) was making a comeback. AB and Wessels were the only 2 experienced players and this Aussie team was trying to recover from the retirement of the 3 greats a couple of seasons ago (Lillee, Marsh and Chappell) and the rebels (Hughes and co).
I was always an Aussie supporter, right from my childhood but had a soft corner for NZ. While for several years, we questioned the NZ umpiring, I always believed that NZ played the game fair. And Hadlee was ‘fairness personified’. He would quietly turn back and walk briskly to the bowling mark if a batsman hit him for four. And so was his famous bowling partner of the 1980s- Ewen Chatfield. I had listened to the entire series 5 years ago in 1980 when New Zealand lost to Australia under Geoff Howarth, a team that had two stars fielders in John Parker and Mark Burgess.
And was hoping NZ would turn the fortunes this time around , especially against a weakened Aussie team. Hadlee was at his peak in 1985 and NZ that season boasted of some experienced blokes – strong opening pair of Edgar and Wright and with Jeremy Coney( all three had been part of the losing team in 1980) in the middle order.Martin Crowe was establishing himself then.
Hadlee took 9 for 50, he scored a quick fire half century when NZ batted and then came back to take 6 wickets in the second innings to set up an innings win for NZ. They did manage to win the series with Hadlee taking 11 wkts in the third test after Australia had come back well in the 2nd test at Sydney. It was Hadlee’s best series against Australia.
3. Last ball six on Radio Pakistan-1986Unusually heavy rains in Bangalore that April evening in 1986 resulted in a power cut in our Syndicate Bank colony in Magadi Road. Here was I with my little National Panasonic transistor and all of the colony friends eagerly awaiting the result of the match (though for most it was a foregone conclusion that India would win and comfortably at that). I listened to the last 10 overs of that match on Radio Pakistan including the dramatic last over and the last ball six by Javed Miandad, described by Chisti Mujahid, that most excitable of Radio Pak commentators. For several years, after that, Radio Pakistan played that over during lunch and tea breaks.
4. England’s triple crown in 1986-87- Lamb strikes 18 in the last over to beat Aus
This was quite a surprise series for England as they peaked under Mike Gatting. Phil Defrietes and Jack Richards emerged as young stars. It is another matter that both of them did not quite fulfil their potential. They won all the three trophies that season- The 4 team Perth Challenge, the WSC involving Aus, WI and Eng and the Ashes.
Allan Lamb, who had had a poor series and was struggling, turned his fortunes with a brilliant last over finish at the SCG in January 1987, when he struck Bruce Reid for 18 runs to win the WSC match from no where, this after Dirk Wellham had earlier that day struck 97 to help Aus post a fighting total. This match has remained etched in my memory ever since.
4.Through the night on Radio Pakistan- 1988 in the WindiesThis was a series I enjoyed a lot. Three terrific test matches- Imran, Javed and Abdul (Qadir) at their best vs Richards, Marshall and co…And a couple of really interesting test matches.
At Port of Spain and the 2nd test, Jeffery Dujon once again helped a late order recovery with an unbeaten century in the 2nd innings after Pak and WI were both bowled out for low scores in the first innings (Imran and Qadir bundling out the WI and Marshall running through the Pak 1st innings). Incidentally Vivian Richards had WI’s early recovery after a Imran Khan blast had seen a top order collapse.
Set over 370 to win, Pak collapsed against Marshall and Benjamin before Javed Miandad played yet another gutsy match saving innings. I stayed awake through the night listening to Miandad’s innings, well into early morning 3amish.
His dismissal with about another 80 required revived West Indian hopes. Saleem Yousuf
( Indian cricket followers will remember him well, though he only played a few matches for Pak) played out the last hour and a half before falling in the last over of the match.
West Indies still had hope – 5 balls left and Qadir coming in. The Radio Pak commentators were tense. Earlier that night, they were in high voice when Miandad was batting. Qadir was not known for his defence but he managed to see out the over (Pak were 30 runs short of a win) and Pak narrowly avoided defeat. Thus Pak still led 1-0 going into the 3rd and final test.
The third test was another thriller. After an even 1st innings, Imran Khan and Saleem Yousuf helped Pak recover on the 4th morning, setting WI at 250+ target to square the series.
Day 5 turned out to be a thriller. WI went into it with over a 100 required and 5 wkts in hand with Richards still there. But he went early on day 5 to a Wasim Akram spell in which he took two other wickets.
With over 50 required and only Dujon left of the recognized batsmen, it looked like Akram and Qadir will Pak through to fulfil Imran’s wish of beating WI in WI (i.e winning a series in WI). But it was not to be. In a brilliant counterattacking knock, Winston Benjamin blasted a quick unbeaten 40 while Dujon played an uncharacteristic second fiddle as the two took WI to a series equaling 2 wicket victory.
5. Steve Waugh’s two centuries in two tests-The English Summer of 1989From the time I heard Steve in the 1985-86 series in India and later in the WSC vs England and WI (1986-87), I had backed him. But it was not until this series that Steve really managed to capture the attention on the Test Arena. I listened ball by ball to both his unbeaten knocks in the first two tests of the 1989 Ashes- this time bunking my evening college- 177 N O and 152 N O , quite a bit of it made in the company of Merwyn Hughes and Geoffery Lawson - and enjoyed every moment of that one. It was the comeback series for Australia on the Ashes front and Steve was instrumental in the wins.
6. Kapil Dev’s four sixers in four balls- English Summer of 1990India were fighting to save the follow on. Kapil was at the crease and he had Hirwani at the other end…He decided to go after Eddie Hemmings. It was Chris Martin Jenkins who was on air at that time. The English commentators were well used to Kapil’s exploits in the UK- his 175 in the 1983 world cup, his catch of Viv Richards in the final that turned the finals in India’s favour, him captaining India to its first series win in England in 1986.England had been a favourite hunting ground for Kapil. But this one surprised even the BBC TMS commentators. Martin Jenkins kept saying ‘ here’s another one, another one….’. And he couldn’t quite believe that Kapil had hit 4 of 4( four sixers of four balls).
Indian supporters possibly remember this 1990 series for Gooch’s 333 but this splendid Kapil Gem was a personal favourite of mine.
Labels: Cricket Tales
Divya Desam- Margazhi Special
Margazhi Special Dawn of devotion
Margazhi- Month of undistracted Devotion to the Lord
Sing Thiruppavai before Sunrise and find eternal bliss
Sunday, November 26 ,2006
S Prabhu
Time: 4am, Month: Margazhi (Mid December),
Location: The narrow streets of Mylapore and Thiruvellikeni
This old and traditional heartland of Madras is already buzzing with action. Quite unmindful of the cold wintry mornings that mark this period, women folks (Madisaarai Maamis) are out there in big numbers and can be seen decorating their front yard as well the streets with big sized beautifully laid out kolams. It is believed that the Kolams in Margazhi drawn before sunrise is a way of inviting Goddess Lakshmi into the homes.
‘Kolam Drawing’ is also the favourite event at the annual four day Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival, which has now become synonymous with ‘Mylapore and Margazhi’. The Kolam contest that takes place in the Mada Streets as part of this festival attracts participants, including very young kids, from as far off as Kanchipuram and Chengalpet. Do not be surprised if you have a few foreigners too drawing out their own versions of the kolam, such is its popularity.
While the women folks are drawing out the kolams at 4am, the men, especially the Vishnu devotees, are out in the streets in groups with an early morning recital of Thiruppavai, the 30 beautifully composed songs of saint poet Aandal (Shiva devotees recite Maanickavaachagar’s Thiruvembavai). 30 days of sincere, undistracted devotion to the Lord during Margazhi will lead one to happiness and eternal bliss.
So what is this period
The six months from Aadi to Margazhi make up the night of the Gods and the other six months make up the day of the Gods. Thus, it is said, the month of Margazhi corresponds with the dawn of the Gods. The right time to pray for God's grace is the dawn of God's day - the month of Margazhi (mid December to mid January). It is an age old belief that the mind and soul should be completely devoted to the Lord during Margazhi and that explains why there are no other Vaishnavite festivals or weddings during Margazhi (to avoid distractions). It is said that one should give alms and charity in full measure and pray for the elevation of spirit. Hence, the month of Margazhi is considered unique, highly spiritual, sacred and divine. That, in short, is the significance of Margazhi. Even Lord Krishna has said in the Bhagavath Gita ‘Masaanaam Margaseershohum’ meaning ‘I am Margazhi’, which clearly explains the greatness of Margazhi.
About ThiruppavaiAandal, the only woman saint poet among the twelve Azhvaars is considered to be the human manifestation of the Goddess of Earth. Right from her childhood, Aandal considered herself God's bride and at the age of 5, she composed, in the month of Margazhi, 30 beautiful songs called the Thiruppavai.
A close read of the Thiruppavai gives out an interesting story. While it appears in the early stanzas that Aandal’s intention is to pursue the Lord to marry her, as one reads through the later verses, one finds that she is actually praying to be allowed to serve the lord. It is said that those who sing the Thiruppavai during each day of Margazhi will find eternal bliss every where.
Legend has it that Periyazhvaar gave his foster daughter in marriage to Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. It is that believed that, on the day of the marriage, Aandal walked into the sanctum sanctorum and merged with Lord Ranganatha.
In the Naalayira Divya Prabhandham (4000 verses of the Azhvaars), no other Azhvaar, except perhaps Nammazhvaar, has brought out the intimacy between the Divine and the devotee as Aandal has done. Thiruppavai celebrates, in thirty songs, a certain simple ritualistic observance on the part of the devotees. The first ten songs celebrate the fruits of the devotional observance, the second ten songs seem to wake up Krishna, to pray for their grace and the last ten songs inspire devotees to take the path of devoted service.
One song of the 30 Thiruppavai verses is dedicated for each of the thirty days of Margazhi. A unique feature in centuries gone by was that letters written during Margazhi used to start with one Thiruppavai Paasuram (relevant to the day) that would serve as an indication of the date of the letter. The date itself was not written in the letter.
Vaishnavism and Saivism acknowledging each otherAn interesting facet of Thiruppavai and Thiruvembavai is that the first verse in Thiruppaavai begins with the Maa (Maargazhi Thingal) - the syllable, with which Maanikkavaachakar's name begins - while the first verse in Thiruvembavai begins with the syllable Aa, with which Aandal's name begins. It is said that the stalwarts of Vaishnavism and Saivism had thus acknowledged each other.
Recital of 4000 verses (Prabandham) during MargazhiIt is believed that the 4000 songs of Azhvaars were once lost and that at the Sarangapani temple in Kumbakonam, only ten verses of Nammazhvaar were recited. It is said that Nammazhvaar initiated Naathamuni into the "Divya Prabhandam". Thus Nathamuni put together the 4000 verses sung by the Azhvaars. Credit goes to him for bringing back not just the 1000 verses of Nammazhvaar but also the other three thousand verses during Margazhi.
Recognising this contribution of Nammazhvaar, it is believed that Ramanuja made his idol, installed it at the Srirangam temple, along with those of other Azhvaars and organized, during the Margazhi festival, the recital of 4000 verses in front of the Azhvaar idols seated in the hall on the 21 days(10+10+1).The first 2000 is recited 10 days prior to Viakunta Ekadasi, the 1000 verses of Nammazhvaar 10 days beginning from Vaikunta Ekadasi and the rest 1000 Paasurams on the 21st day.
Vaikunda EkadesiThe high point of the Margazhi month is the Vaikunda Ekadesi festival. Legend has it, that to protect the Devas, Vishnu once fought a long battle with an Asura. While Vishnu was taking a break, the asura wanted to hit out at him. Shakti, Vishnu's female energy, emerged out of his body and defeated the Asura. A pleased Vishnu named this maiden as Ekadesi and granted her the power to relieve people from the greatest sins, if they observed a fast on this day and also to help them reach Vaikundam. Vaikunda Ekadesi is a very holy day and is to be spent in fasting, prayer and meditation. Devotees look upon this austerity as a means to succeed in their spiritual endeavour.
It is believed that there is no fasting that is even comparable to the Vaikunda Ekadasi fasting, such is its significance. Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam, in all his glory and resplendence, enters the Parama Padha Vaasal (the gateway to salvation) on this day(30th December this year) and devotees pass through this symbolic gate of Heaven or Vaikundam, the abode of Lord Vishnu. This is the only day when the Swarga Vaasal is opened in the year.
At Srirangam, some of the highlights include Lord being adorned as Mohini, the Lord going on a procession in the Horse Vaahanam, Araiyar Sevai and Nammazhvaar Moksham.
At Srivilliputhur, the highlights are Araiyar Sevai, 8 day Neeraatu Utsavam and Aandal Thirukalyanam, marking the culmination of the month long festivities. It is believed that Aandal performed ‘Piriyaa Vidai’, a fast asking the Lord permission to attain him and be inseparable from him. To celebrate this, a wholesome ritual has been created and built around the character of Aandal. Another highlight is the Paavai Nombu celebrations. The Paavai Nombu is a penance that has been practiced, during Margazhi, for several centuries. If devotees observe Paavai Nombu by having bath in the river and singing the praise of the Lord before sunrise, it is believed that they will be free from any harm and that there will be good rains and happiness all around.
Lakhs of devotees throng the
Thiruvellikeni temple to witness Lord Parthasarathy, in all his glory and resplendence, enter the Parama Padha Vaasal (the Gateway to Salvation) at around 4am on the Vaikunda Ekadesi day, the only one on which the Swarga Vaasal is opened in the year. Devotees pass through this symbolic Gate of Heaven or Vaikundam, the abode of Lord Vishnu, to obtain his blessings and grace.
The
twin Vishnu temples in the heart of Mylapore - Vedantha Desikar and the 1000 years old Aadhi Kesavaperumal temple- attract several thousands of devotees during this month. Festivities at the Vedantha Desikar temple include Nammazhvaar Moksham, Desika Prabhandham and Aandal ThiruKalyanam. At the Aadhi Kesavaperumal temple, the birth place of Peyazhvaar, the highlights are Lord Kesava being adorned as Mohini, Gita Upadesam, 9-day Aandal Neeraatu Utsavam and the street procession of Aandal.
40 kms from Chennai, off the Bangalore Highway, in Sriperambudur, the birth place of Ramanuja, festivities take place in grand style at the
3000 year old Ramanuja Temple from 4am every morning in Margazhi. Thiru Adyaana Utsavam, honouring of all the Azhvaars, Nammazhvaar Moksham and Vaikunda Ekadesi celebrations are some of the highlights.
Similar festivities take place at the Neer Vannan temple in Tiruneermalai on the outskirts, South of Chennai and at the Veera Raaghava Temple in Thiruvallar, about 50 kms from Chennai.
Ø 30 days of unfailing, sincere devotion to the Lord during Margazhi, will lead one to happiness for the rest of the year
Ø Early morning recital of Thiruppavai before sunrise, specially by unmarried women, will help find a suitable groom
Ø One invites Goddess Lakshmi into the house with their Margazhi kolams
Labels: Temple Divya Desam
