Draft:APNSwami

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Vachaspathy Mukundagiri Vankeepuram, Dr. Sri. APN Swami (Dr. M. V. AnannthaPadmanabhachariar) is an Indian film director, writer, editor, and public speaker who has been the driving force behind various innovative projects for the propagation of Sanatana Dharma.

He is the Editor of Sri Nrusimha Priya, an 80-year-old Tamil magazine published by Sri Ahobila Mutt, as well as an orator who has been teaching knowledge through his talks for over 30 years and the author of over 60 books and 200 articles.

He authored, produced, and directed the biography "Ghantavatharam" on Swami Vedanta Desikan. He's also directed several short films and documentaries about Hindu culture and temples.

He has restored many palm-leaf manuscripts and digitalized over 5000 rare volumes for future generations to cherish.  

He works with the younger generation through an organization called SARAN (Sampradaya Anushtana Rakshna AbhimaN), in which many volunteers participate in events that promote our culture.

His defining feature is his ability to perfectly balance traditional ways of life with innovative modern methods of promoting our ancient culture and practices.

Early life

Sri APN Swami was born on the 15th of May 1972 in the Tamil month of Vaikasi on the Murugasheerisam star in Chennai to an orthodox Srivaishnava Brahmin family from Bharadwaja Gothram.

Mukundagiri is a small and old agraharam (hamlet) near Madurantakam and famous for its ancient temples dedicated to Sri Kothandarama Perumal and Srinivasan.

Sri APN Swami's father, Sri Mukundagiri Vangeeepuram Narasimhachariar, also known as "Sri Nrusimha Priya Narasimhan," dedicated his life to Sri Nrusimha Priya Tamil Magazine.

Smt. Ramani Narasimhan, Sri APN Swami's mother, supported her husband in serving for Sri Nrusimha Priya Tamil Magazine.

Education

Sri APN Swami holds an MA, M. Phil, and Ph.D. in allegorical dramas from Vishistadvaitam, Sankalpa Suryodayam, and Viveka Vijayam. He also holds Siromani in Mimamsa.

He received Gurukulam style kalakshepam (including 5 years of Anthevasi, i.e., serving the Acharyan 24 X 7) from erudite scholars such as Sri. U. Ve. Purusai Nadadur Krishnamachariar (Sri Purusai Swami, (Vaikuntavasi)), a President awardee in Sanskrit, and Sri U. Ve. Kulapathy Uzhapakkam Sri Rajagopalachariar Swami (Vaikuntavasi).

Multi-facet person

Director

“Ghantavatharam" features him as writer, screenwriter, director, and protagonist. Before releasing on YouTube, the film received over 300 'free' shows around the world.

"Ramanuja Vaibhavam", a thorough description of Sri Vaishanava Guru Paramparai (Acharya lineage) of more than 580 episodes.

"Dinam oru Divya Namam", an almost 1200-episode serial about Vishnu Saharasramam.

Based on extensive historical research, "Tapovanam" is a voyage to numerous saints' hermitages found in deep inner forests with dangerous species in India.

Apart from the above, he has also made several short films based on Santana Dharma culture.

Vendanta Desika Vijayam, a Sanskrit skit, was written at the age of 20 and premiered at the age of 23.

Performed skits in All India Radio Ilaya Bharatam.

Orator

The most sought-after orator, capable of quoting lines in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, English, Sanskrit, and Malayalam. His unique selling point relating current events to our Sanathana Dharma is accepted by the audience.

His YouTube channels many thousands hours of videos on our culture and philosophy.

Participating in different religious Mutts Vidwath Sadas.

Inspired many students to develop deep interest in our heritage & culture while addressing in eminent colleges in Chennai.

Many of his novels were also made into audio books in his own voice to improve the audience's listening experience.

Writer & Editor

He has written and published more than 60 books and those works were translated in Kannada, Telugu & English as well.

“Megathin Dagam” is the first book in Swami Ramanujar's series, which is based on his acharyan Sri. Purusai Swami's order to him to write books about Swami Ramanuja. This book covers many fascinating anecdotes and incidents from Swami Ramanuja's life as he evolved from a young boy named Illayazhwar to Jagathacharyan Bhagavad Ramanujacharya.

“Piriyavidai” is the third novel in the Swami Ramanuja trilogy, following Megathin Dagam and Thiruvaranga Vijayagam. Lord Varadan bids Swami Ramanuja farewell in Kanchipuram, where he accepts to be the next pointiff of SriVaishnavism after Alavandar.

“Yamunai Thuraivai Thirumuttram” is a historical tale that is the result of 20 years of investigation into the precise description of the situation of temples during Aurangazeb's conquest of Kanchipuram between 1687 and 1711 AD, when Varadan traveled from Kanchi to Udaiyarpalayam. The reader of this book will journey back in time to the 17th century and enjoy the captivating story featuring Varadan Bramhostavam.

“Bharata Savitiri” is an appendix to Harivamsam, which is a part of the Mahabharata. The slokas highlight Lord Krishna's glories, recounting countless facts of the Kurushektra battle in terms of start date, who engaged in the war, methods involved, etc. The book has a compilation of slokas and their meanings that one should sing at home for good health.

“Villai Vidutha Vijayan” is the first chapter commentary of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, based on the Sanskrit manuscript of Sri Krishnachaya Prakashika authored by Sri U. Ve. Puttamkottam Srinivasachariar Swami, the only other Sanskrit worked on the Bhagavad Gita after Swami Desikan's Tatpariya Chandrika. The commentary is based on Swami Ramanuja's description of the Vishishtadvaita system of philosophy.

Editor of Sri Nrusimha Priya, a magazine published by Sri Ahobila Mutt for more than 85 years to promote Sri Vaishanvam. It is worth noting that his acharyan, Sri Purusai Swami, who was the magazine's editor, encouraged him to work as an editor.

“Traditional Trending” articles on his blog attest to his ability to relate current events and associate them with our heritage to convey complex facets of our philosophy.

Lecturer & Kalakshepa Guru

When APN Swami wanted to raise awareness and disseminate Sri Vaishnava Sampradayam, his work as a lecturer hampered his progress, therefore he quit at once to devote his full life to sampradayam.

Based on the instructions of Sri Purusai Swami, he performs Kalakshepam (Gurukulam style) on Vishistadvaita works. Srimad Rahasyatraya Saaram kalakshepam was completed seven times, Gita Bhashyam three times, and various batches of Granta Catushtya kalakshepam are currently in progress with shishyas from all over the world.

Through his humerous and broad historical knowledge, he developed many shishyas to promote Sanathana Dharma.

Apart from India, his kalakshepa shishyas perform upanysams in the United States, Switzerland, Bahrain, and Australia.

Awards & Accolades

Desika Dharshana Bhushanam by Srimad Paravakottai Andavan Sri Gopaladesika Mahadesikan.

Pravachana Sironmani by Srimad Paravakottai Andavan Sri Gopaladesika Mahadesikan.

Abhinaveeya Pravachanamani by Abhinava Desika Uttamur Swami Centenary celebration committee for his innovative style of upanyasams.

Abhinava Desika Keerthi Ratna by Abhinava Desika Uttamur Swami 120^th celebration committee for using most of Sri Uttamur Swami's works in his upanyasam and kalakshepam.

Pravachana Bhaskara by HH 45^th pontiff Sri LaksimiNrusimha Divya Padhuka sevaka Srivan Satakopa Sri Narayana Yatindra Mahadeskian at Bharat Vikas Parishad function.

Pravachana Vaschapathy by Dharmathma Vaidya Subramanya Iyer Award.

Upanyasa Kesari by Sri Abhinava Vaagesha Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Swami.

Abhinava Abhinaya Desika for producing a magnum opus movie biopic of Desikan, by Melkote Sri Lakshmi Tattachariar, Pattana Nagai Veera Raghavachariar Swami in the presence of Sri Abhinava Vaagesha Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Swami, in January 2020 at Mysore.

Desika Darshana Data by Nadadur Ammal Trust in the presence of Srirangam Srimadh Andavan SriVaraha Mahadesikan, Poundareegapuram Srimadh Andavan Sri Srinivasa Gopala MahaDesikan by Sri. Dr V S Karunakarachariar Swami in December 2020 at Srirangam.

Desika Paduka Sevaka by Mannargudi Sri. U. Ve. Rajagopalachariar Swami of Granta Catushtya Kalakshepa Samiti on premiering Ghantavatharam in YouTube for multi talents in various fields.

Pravachana Ratna Choodamani by Sri Srinivasa Gopala Desikan during Srimad Paravakottai Andavan Sri Gopaladesika Mahadesikan.

Social causes

SARAN "Sampradaya Anushtana Rakshana AbhimaN"

It brainchild, founded by Sri APN Swami, is a satsang that aims in propagating Swami Ramanujacharya's doctrines and works as per the guidance of Swami Vedanta Desikan.

SARAN Sevaks (Volunteers) participate in Sampradayic utsavams and spread Sanathana Dharma in a variety of methods, including:

· Restoring ancient books, palm leaf scriptures in Digital format.

· Conducting classes & workshops on Vaishnavism.

· Publishing books in Tamil, English, and Kannada to promote the message contained in our Acharyas' ancient texts.

· Producing short videos and documentaries about our traditional practices, historic temples, and rivers, among other things.

· Producing feature films about Sanatana Dharma. Swami Vedanta Desikan movie "Ghantavatharam" and several short films based on Swami Vedanta Desikan's books.

· Taking part in social religious activities to protect Hindu Dharma.

· Holds revolutionary and groundbreaking cultural events and programs.

Panchajanyam Trust

It was created to fund the activities undertaken by SARAN. It was founded with the intention of spreading Swami Ramanujacharya's teachings along the road laid down by Swami Desikan. The trust provides finances for Sampradayic activities like as utsavams, temple renovation, scholar recognition, and the development of youthful talent.

The Sampradayic activities are carried out by SARAN Sevaks (volunteers) who devote their active voluntary service and significant time to the Panchajanyam Trust's Sanathana Dharma activities.

According to the Indian Income Tax Act, donations to this trust are exempt under Section 80G.

Community activities

Sri Ramanuja Dayapatra Utsavam

It is a three-day celebration starting on Tamil Avani month, Hastam star at Sri Adivan Satakopan Brindavanam, Melkote Thirunarayanapuram to commemerate the Thaniyan that SriSarvathanthra Swathantra Jeer swami presented to Swami Vedanta Desikan.

Swami Desikan's Sri Paduka Sahasram Utsavam

It is an annual event on 25^th December every year at Bengaluru where large gathering chant Paduka Sahasram in unison. The first utsavam commenced in Mysore Palace in the year 2008. During this event, 32 types of flowers, fruits, bhakshanams are offered for each of the 32 padthathis in Paduka Sahasram. Swami Desikan adorns Kaithala Sevai & Pushpa Vrushti. This event is now celebrated across various parts of India like Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and across Karnataka.

Thirumaligaithorum Swami Desikan

In commemorating Sri Ramanuja's 1000^th Thiru Nakshatram and Swami Desikan's 750^th Thiru Nakshatram, SARAN and Panchanjanyam Trust joined together to bring home the Thiruvaradana Murthi form of Swami Desikan. Hence, it is celebrated as Thirumaligaithorum Swami Desikan. In February 2023, this utsavam had its 2001^st such visits and this utsavam is growing stronger with many devotees looking forward to bringing Swami Desikan into their respective homes.

Desika Bhakthi Samrajyam

It is a three-day grand event conducted by SARAN and in association with Tyaga Bramha Gana Sabha (Vani Mahal) in July 2018, to commemorate 750^th Thiru nakshatram of Swami Desikan. The event had dance, drama, bhajans, seminar, debates and lectures from eminent scholars on the teachings of Swami Desikan. The valedictory function was presided by the then Honorable Governor of Tamil Nadu, H. E. Banwarilal Purohit.

Darshanodayam

It is a four-day event to celebrate the millennium (1000^th) thiru nakshatram of Swami Ramanuja that took place in May 2017. This event was organized by SARAN and Tiruvallur Veeraraghavar Temple Committee. The event had theatre, dance, debates and Arayar Sevai. It had a great response from the crowd for its novel idea in depicting Swami Ramanuja life history.

Chennaiyil Srivilliputhur

This is an event replicating the lifestyle of Goddess Andal of Srivilliputtur in Chennai. This annual event was celebrated in a grand manner in November 2017 with two days of cultural activities, it does take an immaticulate planning to create the experience of Srivilliputtur during Andal's era. The event had exhibition stalls with dolls depiciting Andal's life history, Tiruppavai Akshara Mala (a novel pictorial composition of every letter in Tiruppavai), dance, skits and grand finale with a fusion music ensemble, this event was covered by The Hindu newspaper as well.

Nadanukku Nadanjali

It is an event on Swami Nathamuni in Iyal Isai Natakam style in Sanskrit and Tamil. Nadamuni was the propounder of Divya Prabhandam.

Elainyar Yezhuchi Manadu

It is a program for the younger generation to create awareness of our Sampradayam during millennium celebration of Kurathazhwan.

Vande Vatsya Vibhushanam

It is a year long festival that was celebrated to commemorate his acharya Sri Purisai Swami's Centenary Celebrations (Avani month, Chithirai nakshatram). The year long celebration had monthly upanyasams, Veda parayanam, Granta Catushtya Vidwath Sadas, book release, music, conference on Srimad Rahasyatraya Saaram & Sri Bhagavath Vishayam. Special webinars and workshops on Samashrayanam and Saranagathi were conducted. More than 700 participants participated across these sessions and close to 250 Asthikas have done Samashrayanam & Saranagathi after this workshop. On the final day, a street procession of Sri Purisai swami photo was also carried out, which was attended by many people.