Stamp on Neelakantha Sivan

In the previous issues we referred to the commemorative stamps issued in honour of four vaggeyakara-s: the Trinity and Swati Tirunal. No stamp has been issued on any other composer. However, we have special covers on two vaggeyakara-s. They are the two Sivans: Neelakantha Sivan and Papanasam Sivan. We now take up Neelakantha Sivan.

Special Cover on Neelakantha Sivan

The Department of Posts released a Special Cover on ‘Saint Neelakantha Sivan’ on 28 July 2000 at Tiruvanantapuram during the 14-day celebration of his death (samadhi) centenary organised by Sree Neelakantha Sivan Sangeeta Sabha, Karamana, Tiruvanantapuram. The cancellation on the cover has a sketch of a Sivalinga in the centre with details of the occasion printed around it (see photo).

His Life

Neelakantha Sivan was a mystic, a poet and a composer.

He was born in 1839 in Vadiviswaram in the erstwhile State of Travancore, presently in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu. He was named Subramania, after the family deity. Later the family moved to Padmanabhapuram.

As a boy, Sivan evinced little interest in studies. He was mostly found absorbed in meditation in some secluded place. He attended bhajan sessions and learnt Saivite sacred works like the Tevaram and the Tiruvachakam.