Mahakavi Sri Nilakanta Dikshithar Foundation

Mahakavi Sri Nilakanta Dikshithar Foundation

Flat 1, Saravana Bhava, 9 Second Cross Street, R A Puram, Chennai 600028

Mahakavi Sri Nilakanta Dikshithar Foundation was established with a view to perpetuating the memory of the great Saint-Poet-Statesman of the seventeenth century who was a minister to the great Thirumalai Naickan of Madurai. Sri Nilakanta Dikshithar is believed to have experienced Saakshathkara of  Divine Mother Meenakshi. He needs no introduction to scholars, students and lovers of Sanskrit. He was undoubtedly the most notable figure in the field of Sanskrit letters of the seventeenth century. His works have been translated in several languages and they have been cited in several literary books and magazines. Our Acharyas and other scholars regularly quote from his works in their speeches.

The objectives of our Foundation include:

1.      Celebration of the Birth (Jayanthi) and Death (Aradhana) Anniversaries of the Mahakavi

2.      Publication of all his works with translations wherever feasible, in a phased manner.

3.      Arrangement of endowment lectures.

4.      Construction of a Memorial Building at Palamadai, his last resting place, where all functions connected with his memory can be held.

The following works of Sri Nilakanta Dikshithar’s have been published by our Foundation.

1.      Andasagarasthavam  -  2001

2.      Chandee Rahasyam  -  2005

3.      Sivaleelernavam  -  2007

4.      Kalividambanam -  2014

5.      Sabharanjana Sathakam 2014

6.      Vairagya Sathakam 2014

A significant milestone since the establishment of the Foundation was the construction of MAHAKAVI SRI NEELEKANTA DIKSHITHATAR DHYANA MANDAPAM facing his Adhishtanam at Palamadai village. This was declared open on the 30^th of April 2012 by our revered Jagathguru Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal of Sringeri Sharada Peetham. This Mandapam serves as the venue for performing Vaidika functions and conducting endowment lectures.

We have been conducting both Jayanthi and Aradhana of  Mahakavi regularly at Palamadai in a grand style with the help of Rithviks and support of the Devotees and Citizens of Palamadai.

Our Board of Trustees are: Shri P N Subramanian, Dr. Shri P S Natarajan, Shri P S Ananthanaryanan, Shri P M Ramachandran, Shri V Sankaran, Shri G Venkataraman, Shri Premshankar, Shri P K Seshadrinathan (Secretary), Shri P G Ganesan (Treasurer) and Shri K Ganapathy.

We are currently facing a fund crunch due to increasing costs of conducting the functions,  wages and maintenance on the one hand and reduced income from the corpus deposits on the other due to significant drop in interest rates.

The regular costs of Pooja and maintenance of the Adhistanam is on the rise. A salary upgrade of Sivacharyas and servants is overdue. The Vedic Pandits are also requesting us to enhance the Honorarium we are giving to them.

We have therefore launched a drive to significantly increase our corpus to the tune of Rs. 20 lakhs. We would greatly appreciate support in terms of generous donations from individuals, commercial and non-commercial organizations. We also request our devotees to be more liberal in contributing to Jayanthi and Aradhana celebrations.

Donations to the foundation are eligible for exemption under section 80(G) of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961 (This is only available to people who pay taxes in India). Crossed cheques or drafts in favour of "The Mahakavi Sri Nilakanta Dikshithar Foundation" may be sent to either of the following addresses:

1.      P K Seshadrinathan, Secretary, Mahakavi  Sri Nilakanta Dikshithar Foundation

Flat 1, Saravana Bhava, 9 Second Cross Street, R A Puram, Chennai 600028.

Email: pksesh24@gmail.com, Cell: +91 9841017884.

2.      P G Ganesan, Treasurer, Mahakavi Sri  Nilakanta Dikshithar Foundation

‘Sri Gopala Gruham’, Plot No.22, No.2, First Street, A Gs Colony, Puzhuthivakkam, Chennai 600 091.

Email: appaiah55@yahoo.com, Cell: +91 9444055318.

Contributions can also be sent by electronic fund transfer using the National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) system to the foundation account maintained with the State Bank of India, quoting :

Account Name: Mahakavi Sri Nilakanta Dikshithar Foundation

Savings Account No: 10013241620

IFSC Code: SBIN0005797 (State Bank of India, Santhome Branch, Chennai).