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THE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS OF BRAHMIN ASSOCIATION IN MALAYSIA

The Brahmin Community in Malaysia consists of about 300 families in Malaysia. The earliest known arrivals are those by Dr Parasurama Iyer in 1895, Mahadeva Iyer (in Johore) and Dr Natarajan Iyer. In the early 20th century, many Brahmins came here to earn a living working in government service and also as priests in various temples.

 

Brahmin involvement in education was seen as early as 1920 with many of them teaching in some of the pioneer schools. The first Tamil Daily, Tamil Nesan was printed in 1924 by its founding editor Sreenivasa Iyyenggar. Dramatists, writers, musicians and news readers in the community have shot to fame. Some of them even opened restaurants, one which is the Lakshmy Vilas in Leboh Ampang (which has since changed ownership). In later years, Brahmins held esteemed positions in medicine, law, engineering, education and sports. They have rendered assistance whenever called upon by other Malaysians. In the early 1920s and early 30s the main aspect of social life was visiting their kin and celebrating religious functions with their immediate neighbours.

 

During a visit to India CN Rama Iyer purchased and brought with him a picture of Lord Rama which is still preserved and worshipped till today. From its abode in Ampang Street this picture was handed over to AV Sankar who was residing in Ring Road in Pudu. In the 1950s, the community congregated in the residents of AV Sankar on Saturdays. With the picture of Lord Rama having landed here, Hari Bajans were held and Lord Rama became the deity of worship at these Bajans. In 1954, after discussions it was decided that an Association should be formed and the inaugural meeting was held on 1 August 1954 at the office of  A Varadachari in Mountbatten Road ( Jalan Tun Perak ) with 100 Brahmins in attendance. A pro-tem committee was formed consisting of V S Natesa Iyer as Chairman, Sri Varadachari as Vice Chairman, NS Raman as Hon Secretary, KS Narayanan as Hon Treasurer and committee members were AV Sankar, KC Sekar and K Subramaniam.

 

At the EGM in 1957, a Building Fund was launched for Brahmin Association to have its own premises.  With the help of R Ramani, Malaysia’s first permanent representative to United Nations a piece of land was obtained in Imbi Road, KL on Temporary Occupation Licence and with donations from prominent members. The first building was erected and was fully functional in 1959 till the year 2000 when the Samajam operations shifted temporarily to Taman Kanagapuram. In April 2000 after another round of donations amassed through various activities and means, the Association finally visualised its own building in Kg Kasipillay and through Lord Sri Rama’ss grace the premises has been the point of meeting for numerous religious and social activities.

ABOUT THE RAMAR PICTURE 

The Ramar picture that has become iconic in our Samajam today was housed in a building in Ampang Street by Sri Rama Iyer who had brought the picture from India in 1933. Sri Rama Iyer conducted Hari Bhajans at his Ampang Road quarters and every year Seetha Kalyanam celebrations were also held there. With the Japanese invasion of Malaysia, the Bhajans were temporarily halted but occasionally the Bhajans would be hosted by Sri Ramaswamy Iyer at his home. After the war, the Bhajans resumed more regularly at Sri Ramaswamy Iyer’s residence. Following that due to some reasons Sri Rama shifted to Shankar ‘s residence where the Bhajans were held. With the passing of Sri CN Rama Iyer, the Bhajans and Navami celebrations came to a stop and restarted two years later at the same place in Ring Road. Year later, in 1959 with contributions from Brahmin families the very own building took shape in Imbi Road. Sree Rama moved to the new premises and with His blessings the members grew in big numbers and there were huge congregations at various religious and cultural events. In 1998, under compulsion to surrender the land, we looked for an alternative to host Sree Rama and that was when the new double-storey structure in Kg Kasipillay took shape and was officially opened

in 2000. The opening was indeed a momentous occasion and memorable event as many members worked very hard to provide a decent home for Sree Rama. The rest is history and the Samajam has evolved in many ways over the years catering for the young and old with its diverse range of activities covering religious, spiritual and social events.

 

The sacred picture of Lord Sree Rama that we worship in the Samajam today goes back to 70 years in history. It has been the object of at least 50 Seetha Kalyanam celebrations. This picture with its sequined and beaded decorations of the God’s robes was brought to the then Malaysia by Sri C N Rama Iyer, a devout Rama Baktha who was living in Kl at that time.

SREE SUMUGA VALAMPARI VINAYAGAR TEMPLE

The Samajam made many attempts over the years to obtain the approval from eh government to employ a priest from India to serve the religious needs of the Samajam members but the many attempts failed. It was then decided that the only other way would be to form a Temple Association and through which the application for the priest could be made.  Following this a resolution was passed at AGM and in 1992 it was decided that a portion of the Samajam land to be leased to the Temple Association.

On the advice of our revered guru., the late Sree Krishna Vadyar that our temple should a Pillayar Temple and if possible the deity preferably be a Valampuri Pillayar. After several processes which involved placing the order in mahabaliburam, our Pillayar arrived our temporary premises in Taman Kanagapuram and them was duly relcoated to Brahmana Samajam on 2 March, 2000.

The Samajam had its own first Vadyar Sree Shriram in 2001

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