Researching for Aalavai (Madurai)

The Tamil Heritage Group

is proud to present a talk on

Researching for Aalavai
by
Thiru KRA Narasiah

on 4th July (Saturday) 2009 at 05.00 pm
at Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Campus,
58 Venkatanarayana Road,
T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017

About the talk
While researching for writing the book Aalavai, many important points were further studied in addition to actually inspecting the areas of study. In the process some new facts were unearthed along with checking the facts in cases of already known facts.
The studies involved in actually getting to know about early inscription by the author going with Sri Iravatham Mahadevan and learning in situ the basics of Tamil Brahmi script. For this Mamandur a place near Chennai was selected. The next targeted place was Mangulam having oldest and a very important inscription, but due to health conditions of Sri Iravatham this had to be dropped. The help of Archaeologist Santhalingam was taken and Thirupparankunram, Azhagar Koil and Aanaimalai were seen. Days were spent along with the Archaeologist, in Madurai temple, Mahal, Thiruvadavur, Thirumohur and  Ovamalai.
The research proved very fruitful and studies were undertaken in Fort Museum where old documents were pursued. The libraries that assisted in the work were Roja Muthiah Research Libraray, Dr. U Ve Swaminathier Library, Madras Institute of Development Studies and district libraries. Rare books could be studied especially in RMRL. Similarly, Ma. Ve. Pasupathi of U Ve S libraray provided exciting information.
Author's effort to get to Philadelphia Museum of Art did not fructify, though he had traveled to the US: however he could get some information on Madanagopalaswami temple from the museum's site. Author's friends from Singapore and the US did help him to a great extent.
From good friends in Coimbatore and some in Chennai the author could get certain points clarified in Tamil Sangam literature. The bibliography in the book shows the vast number of secondary sources that were used for references.
In the lecture the author shall be dealing with the studies and shall also expect participation of the audience.

Profile of Thiru Narasiah
  • Profession: Retired Chief Mechanical Engineer of Vizag Port.
  • Former Consultant to the World Bank for the Emergency rehabilitation Programme of Kingdom of Cambodia.
  • Former ADB consultant, Visiting Faculty AMET University for MBA Programme. (Terminal Management and IMO related subjects)
  • Education: Marine engineering. I. N. S. Shivaji Naval Engineering College Lonavla
  • Writing: over 100 short stories in Tamil (9 as Muthirai kathai in Vikatan.)
  • 3 collections of short stories published, first one for 6 years as non-detailed study for UGs in Madura College. Second won 2 awards. Third won TN State award.
  • Non fiction. Kadal Vazhi Vanikam a treatise on sea trade from 3rd century BC –won TN State award.
  • Madrasapattinam the story of Chennai from 1630 to 1947. Won TN State award and Chidambaram Meyyapan award
  • Sadharana Manithan Biography of Chitti Sundararajan.
  • Madras (Tracing the history of Madras from 1369) in ENGLISH
  • Overcoming Challenges the story of 125 years of the Port of Chennai with S Muthiah (English)
  • Author of the book on the history of Madurai (Aalavai)
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RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
TK Tamachandran, IAS : TN Slum Clearance Board - tkramachandranias@hotmail.com; 99406-41144
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836)
S. Swaminathan: Marg Constructions - sswami99@gmail.com; 2461 1501

A close look at the panel of Episodes from Sundarar's Life

The Tamil Heritage Group
is proud to present on the second talk on the
The Chola Paintings in the Brihadisvara Temple in Tanjavur:
In appreciation of Chola mural: A close look at the panel of Episodes from Sundarar's Life
By Thiru PS Sriraman (ASI)
On 6-6-09 (Saturday) at 5 PM
at Vinobha Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Campus,
58, Veankatanarayana Road, T. Nagar, Chennai - 600017
The talk would be for about 60 minutes.
You and your friends are cordially invited.

Synopsis
In appreciation of Chola mural: A close look at the panel of Episodes from Sundarar's Life
This lecture will closely look at a panel which must have been cherished by the king himself. The choice reflects the desire of the king to be treated on par with Sundarar who is the cherished friend of the God. Even otherwise this panel throws out a plethora of information on the contemporary life. We will be looking cl0sely at this panel.
The earlier talk on 2-5-09, titled, In appreciation of Chola murals - Commingling of emotions was well attended and appreciated. The substance of the talk was:
Calambur Siavaramamurthi, succinctly captures the greatness of the Chola murals. “If expression has to be taken as the criterion, by which a great art has to be judged, it is here in abundance in these Chola paintings..". If Chola art is to be accepted as a great work of art, it needs to be seen by all. How many of us had the privilege to be allowed into the dark circumambulatory passage around the sanctum of the Brihadisvara temple, where the paintings are found? Perhaps very few. Of course, all could not be allowed in there due to paucity of space and delicate condition of the murals. Therefore, ASI launched a documentation project to photograph these murals so that exact photographic reproductions can be kept on view. The task turned out to be a tough one with many challenges to surmount. This presentation will highlight how the task was accomplished and how now we are in a position to realise Sivaramaurthi's words are true.
About the speaker:
Thiru Sriraman has a post-graduation in Ancient History and Archaeology and a PG Diploma in Archaeology, and is presently an Assistant Superintending Archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of India. He has rich experience in his field. He has conducted several excavations at Banahalli, a proto-historic site in Karnataka, Gingee, a medieval site and Mahabalipuram, an early historical site. He has explored several regions in Karnataka and Tamilnadu leading to the discoveries of several important archaeological sites. He was instrumental in the reorganization of the sites museum at Lothal, a Harappa Civilization site, the Fort Museum, Fort St George Chennai including the new gallery on Prints.
He has conceived, designed and organised the Interpretation Centre at the Brihadisvara temple, Tanjavur and conceived, co-ordinated the Documentation of Chola Murals at Brihadisvara temple at Tanjavur and the Surface features at Kailasanatha temple, Kanchipuram.
Thiru Sriraman has published a number research papers in reputed journals, has designed and conceived several brochures and handouts for monuments of South India and is currently enganed in writing a book on Chola murals.

RSVP: A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198; Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566; TK Tamachandran, IAS : TN Slum Clearance Board - tkramachandranias@hotmail.com; 99406-41144; S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836; S. Swaminathan: Marg Constructions - sswami99@gmail.com; 2461 1265