Do those who have performed Bharanyasam become more qualified than those who have performed samashrayanam (Pancha Samskaram) to perform any karma-s? Kindly explain the differences. While Srichurnam refers to Thayar, why is there a difference in color between the Vadakalai and Tenkalai traditions? A few from Vadakalai tradition apply red-colored Srichurnam; is there any mistake in this? Can one use uddharani (Small spoon) for achamanam?

Samashrayanam is Pancha Samskaram. Only when one has undergone Samashrayanam, does one become qualified to perform certain karma. But bharanyasam is not so, as it does not grant any qualification, except that it leads one to Moksham; otherwise, one does not attain salvation.
We have dealt in detail about Srichurnam in the past issues (Refer to the Plava varsha Purattasi release in this link https://sudarsanam.sampradayamanjari.org/sudarsanam-monthly-releases/ Yellow-colored Srichurnam is pure form; red-colored Srichurnam is created from yellow Srichurnam, which is the only difference.
When using uddharani for achamanam, one must be forced to place the vessel near one’s leg and that is not the right practice. And one will not be able to sit on a wooden plank. Since in our tradition, we hold the vessel in the left hand to perform the achamanam, there is no use for uddharani.