(6) Thematic Exploration of Dīkshitar’s Geographies

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About the map

1. How did I make this map?
   • First I used the database with all the songs whose place-associations were known.
   • I looked up the latitudes and longitudes (coordinates) for each place.
   • I used Flourish Studios to create the blank map (also called the base map).
   • I then created a separate place marker for each place using its coordinates.
   • For each place, I created two windows — one for when you hover the mouse over the marker, and one for when you click on the marker.
   • Hovering gives basic information, while clicking gives you more information.
   • I then created a legend on top. This displays  the themes that you see.
2. What is possible and not possible with the map?
   • Possible
     • You can see various markers that represent the different places associated with several of Śrī Muttusvāmi Dīkshitar’s songs.
     • Place markers are colored according to the predominant deities about whom Dīkshitar has composed songs.
     • The legend depicts the colors and the deity/deities each one is associated with.
     • The legend can be toggled. Click on any theme to either display it (the theme name appears bright) or to hide it (the theme name appears dull).
     • You can select or un-select any number of the themes at a time.
     • When a theme is selected, the relevant place markers are displayed on the map.
     • You can use the search bar at the top left to search for different places.

• • Not possible
    • Place names (toponyms) cannot be viewed on the map. The only way to find the name of a place is to hover over the marker.
    • There is no scale and compass rose (the North, South, East, West marker). You have to presume that the North is “up” — a conventional view.

The beginning view of the map

By default, when you first open the map, it will show:

• The entirety of India
• All the points will be toggled on by default

How to use the map

Here’s Kanishk’s explainer video on how to use this map.

Different Place Markers

• Many of Śrī Muttusvāmi Dīkshitar’s songs are connected to specific sacred places.
• Not all of these connections are known.
• We have compiled a database containing all of his songs.
• In this database, we have identified known sacred places that are associated with songs. (You can explore this database in section 4? Of this site)
• Using the latitude and longitude values for each of these places, we have plotted them on the map.

Discover 1:

• Each point on the map is tied to information in the database.
• Hover (do not Click !) your cursor on any point you like and observe the information that is displayed.
• Question: What does the displayed information tell you?

Discover 2:

• Now, compare the color of the dot on which you hover your cursor with the color in the legend of themes above the map.
• How does this color correspond to the information in the popup and the legend?

Discover 3:

• Pick any dot and this time click on it.
• What does the popup window show you this time?
• Observe the geographical element first.
• Other information becomes geographical because it is tied to a place.

Exploring Themes in the map

• I sorted the database using the predominant deities about whom Dīkshitar has composed songs.
• The database contains all his songs. However, this map shows only the places associated with some of the songs.
• Each place has one or more songs associated with it.
• I connected the deities of the place and the name of the place (toponym).
• So, the legend at the top of the map shows you all the places with which Dīkshitar’s songs are connected.
• The places are organized by the deities about which Dīkshitar has composed songs. Songs related to:

1. 1. Arupadai.veedu Kumaara (Murugan) – The six principal Kumaara (Murugan) Shrines; there are many more Kumaara shrines, but these six are traditionally considered principal shrines.
   2. Devi – Mother Goddess (including various forms of Parvati, Lakshmi, etc.)
   3. Ganesha – The elephant-headed god; Elder son of Shiva
   4. Kumaara (Murugan) – Younger son of Shiva
   5. Multiple – Many prominent deities
   6. Pancha.bhuta.linga – Five Shiva shrines associated with the five elements: ether, air, water, fire, and Earth.
   7. Planet.Navagraha – The nine astrological bodies
   8. Shiva – One of the sacred trinity of Hinduism, associated with dissolution
   9. Vishnu – One the sacred trinity of Hinduism, associated with sustenance

Discover 4:

• By default all the themes are displayed.
• If you click on the theme name, it will toggle the display of the theme on the map.
• If the theme is being displayed, clicking on it will hide it.
• If you click on that theme again, it will display the theme on the map.
• You can choose to hide or display one or more themes by clicking on them.

Search Bar

• The search bar on the top left allows you to search for different places using the place names. (Look for a small magnifying glass icon. Click on that to get the search bar.)
• Some places overlap in themes. For example, all places coming under the Arupadai.veedu Kumaara (Murugan) theme also come under the Kumaara (Murugan)  theme. When searching for places with this overlap, there will be two results. One is the overall result and one is a specific theme result.

 

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