Tamil Heritage Pechchu Kachcheri 2013

Tamil Heritage Trust presents the third Pechchu Kachcheri series from 23-27 Dec 2013 at Centenary Hall, PS Higher Secondary School, Mylapore, Chennai 600004. The theme this time is "Srirangam". The lectures are all from 6 to 8 PM every day. Tea/Coffee will be served from 5.30 onwards.

23-12-2013

Topic: History of the Srirangam Temple
Speaker: Dr. Chithra Madhavan

24-12-2013 

Topic: Plan and Architecture of the Srirangam Temple
Speaker: Roopmathi Anand

25-12-2013

Topic: Sri Ramanuja
Speaker: S. Kannan

26-12-2013

Topic:  Traditions of the Srirangam Temple from its inscriptions
Speaker:  K Sridaran

27-12-2013

Topic:  Sriranga Gamanam, a selection of rituals, festivals, arayar sevai, etc.
Lec. Dem.:  Dr Swarnamalya Ganesh

காஞ்சியின் ஏழு அற்புதச் சிற்பங்கள் (வீடியோ)


Tags - Seven Beautiful Sculptures of Kanchi, Than Thondri Eswarar Temple, R Viswanathan, Sivaramakrishnan, Video

காஞ்சியின் ஏழு அற்புதச் சிற்பங்கள் - விசுவநாதன் & சிவராமகிருஷ்ணன்

தமிழ்ப் பாரம்பரியம்
(Tamil Heritage Trust)
presents

காஞ்சியின் ஏழு அற்புதச் சிற்பங்கள் 

by 
இரா. விசுவநாதன் - பி சிவராமகிருஷ்ணன்
at 5.30pm on Saturday, December 7th, 2013
at Vinoba Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, T Nagar.
About the Topic:
 
தமிழகக் கலை வரலாற்றில் முக்கியத்துவம் வாய்ந்த, அனைவராலும் பெரிதும் அறியப்படாத ‘காஞ்சியின் ஏழு அற்புதச் சிற்பங்கள்’ குறித்து மீண்டும் நினைவுகூர்வதற்கும், கலைத்துறையைச் சார்ந்தவர்களும், ஆர்வலர்களும், பிறரும் தெரிந்துகொள்வதற்கும் இத்தருணம் அமைகிறது.

இந்தியக் கலை வரலாற்றில், சிற்பக்கலையின் மிக உன்னத நிலையை அமராவதி, நாகர்ஜுனகொண்டா சிற்பத் தொகுதிகளில் நாம் காணலாம்.  இச்சிற்பங்கள் அன்றைய மக்களின் யதார்த்தமான வாழ்கை முறையையும், சமூகச் சூழலை வெளிப்படுத்தக்கூடிய கருத்தியல்புகளையும், அச்சிற்பிகளின்  சுதந்தரத்தினையும், ஆற்றலையும் நமக்கு எடுத்தியம்புகின்றன.  இத்தகு மரபுக்கூறுகளைத் தாங்கிய சிற்பங்கள் நமது காஞ்சியின் தான்தோன்றீச்வரர் ஆலயத்தில் பாதுகாக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.
 
About the Speaker:

இரா. விசுவநாதன் கும்பகோணம் அரசு கலைக்கல்லூரியில் வண்ணக்கலை படித்து, தற்போது சென்னை தேசிய கலை மற்றும் அறிவியல் கல்லூரியின் ஓவியக்கலை ஆசிரியராகப் பணிபுரிகிறார்.  

பி சிவராமகிருஷ்ணன் சென்னை அரசு கலைக்கல்லூரியில் வண்ணக்கலைத் துறையில் பேராசிரியராக பணிபுரிகிறார்.  இவர் இரா. விசுவநாதனின் ஆசிரியர்.

RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836
S. Swaminathan - sswami99@gmail.com; 2467 1501
R. Gopu, writergopu@yahoo.com, 98417-24641
T. Sivasubramanian, siva.durasoft@gmail.com, 98842-94494

ராமாயணம் - சங்கம் முதல் முற்சோழர் காலம் வரை - கே.எஸ்.சங்கரநாராயணன்

தமிழ்ப் பாரம்பரியம்
(Tamil Heritage Trust)
presents

ராமாயணம் - சங்கம் முதல் முற்சோழர் காலம் வரை

by 
K S Sankaranarayanan
at 5.30pm on Saturday, November 9th, 2013
at Vinoba Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, T Nagar.

About the Topic:
 
ராமாயணமும் ராமாயணக் கதாபாத்திரங்களும் சங்க காலம் முதலே தமிழர்களுக்கு அறிமுகமானவர்கள். ராமன், சீதை, ராவணன் முதலானவர்கள் மட்டுமல்லாது, மற்ற கதைமாந்தர்களும் தமிழ்நாட்டு மக்களுக்கு நன்கு அறிமுகமானவர்கள்.

தமிழ் மரபில் சங்க காலம் முதலே கம்பனும் வால்மீகியும் கூறாத பல்வேறு சுவையான ராமாயணச் செய்திகள் வழக்கில் இருந்து வந்துள்ளது.

அதில் சங்கம் முதல் முற்சோழர்கள் காலம் வரை (பொ.ச.1070வரை) இலக்கியங்களும், சிற்பங்களும், கல்வெட்டுகளும், செப்பேடுகளும் கூறும், ஆனால் கம்பனும் வால்மீகியும் கூறாத இராமாயண மரபுகளைக் குறித்து சங்கரநாராயணன் உரை ஆற்ற உள்ளார்.

தமிழ் மரபில் அகலிகை, ஜடாயு, சூர்ப்பனகை, இராம-இராவண யுத்தம், சீதை திருமணம், இராமன் நடந்த வழி, தொலைந்துபோன இராமன் கோவில்கள், பல்சமயம் போற்றும் இராமன் என்பவை குறித்து இவர் பேச உள்ளார்.

இது இந்த அவையில் தமிழக இராமாயணம் குறித்த இவரது  இரண்டாவது நிகழ்ச்சி. இரண்டாண்டுகள் முன்பு தமிழகத்தில் இலக்கியங்களிலும் சிற்பங்களிலும் வாலி ஒரு மாபெரும் சிவ பக்தனாக, இராவணனை அடக்கிய மாவீரனாகச் சித்திரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளான் என்பதையும், அவன் வழிபட்ட வாலீச்வரங்கள் குறித்தும் இவர் உரையாற்றியுள்ளார்.

About the Speaker:

K. S. Sankaranarayanan hails from Karaikudi. He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering and Technology, Karaikudi, MBA from Annamalai University and has done his Business Leadership from IIM Bangalore. Sankaranarayanan had an opportunity as a student to hear and learn from various eminent people in Karaikudi on diverse subjects like History, Tamil and Indian Culture. He is based in Chennai for the Last 24 years and is currently working with a leading business group in Chennai.

Sankaranarayanan’s passions are History, Tamil and Indian culture and he is researching on these subjects with specific reference to Tamil Nadu. One of his studies is on the various characters of Ramayanam as depicted in Tamil culture.

This is his second lecture on this subject and the earlier one can be accessed at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cHc2N34W3M

RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836
S. Swaminathan - sswami99@gmail.com; 2467 1501
R. Gopu, writergopu@yahoo.com, 98417-24641
T. Sivasubramanian, siva.durasoft@gmail.com, 98842-94494

Hale and Healthy using Traditional Way - Mr. V Rajappan

தமிழ்ப் பாரம்பரியம்
(Tamil Heritage Trust)
presents
Hale and Healthy using Traditional Way
by 
Mr. V Rajappan
at 5.30pm on Saturday, October 5th, 2013
at Vinoba Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, T Nagar.
About the Topic:
Our ancestors had followed systematic, food habits in order to keep sound health. Hence they were hale & heathy and on their own till their last days even up to 90 years.
                                                  
We have switched over to western culture and forgotten our traditional food habits and are now paying for it by getting B.P., Acidity, Gastic problems, etc., even at the age of 40 – 45. I agree it is not possible to go back to olden times. But we can follow certain procedures to keep fit, without being a burden to others in our later years.  For example. we can practice, simple yoga and some good food habits without fully avoiding the present food.
About the Speaker:
V Rajappan is an engineer by background.  He spent his professional life working as an engineer in boat and ship building business, and later started Selvi Engineering.  He is trained in Yoga (Isha) and Accupressure.  He also teaches Yoga and Accupressure.
RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836
S. Swaminathan - sswami99@gmail.com; 2467 1501
R. Gopu, writergopu@yahoo.com, 98417-24641
T. Sivasubramanian, siva.durasoft@gmail.com, 98842-94494

Temples: Self Governed and Self Sufficient: T R Ramesh

தமிழ்ப் பாரம்பரியம்
(Tamil Heritage Trust)
presents
Temples: Self Governed and Self Sufficient
by 
T R Ramesh
at 5.30pm on Saturday, September 7th, 2013
at Vinoba Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, T Nagar.

About the Topic:
This talk is going to be about how systematically the Government control came to be in Temples, the history of legislation of Endowments Laws, the enormity of the temple properties, and how we can sustain, maintain and conserve our temples including heritage temples with funds generated from the temple properties.

About the Speaker:
T R Ramesh (s/o Dr. T N Ramachandran – Sekkizhar Adi-podi) was born in Tanjore (1963).  He holds a Masters Degree in Commerce and worked in the Front Office of The Trident, Chennai for five years and later joined Citibank.

In 2009, he offered his services - albeit as a lay devotee- to the administrators of the ancient Chidambaram Temple - when their temple was unjustly taken over by the State Government. Since then he has made considerable research in law relating to Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments. From the year 2011 he has been fully engaged in retrieving our temples from Government control. He has contributed a few articles on Religious Endowments Law, and also, authored a book in Tamil titled "அறிந்து கொள்வோம் அறநிலையத் துறையை ". 

In 2011, he and a group of people from Chennai started a Registered Society  - Temple Worshippers Society. The main objective of the society is to establish the religious and administrative rights back to Hindus. These fundamental rights are guaranteed by the Indian Constitution to all religious denominations -  including Hindu Denominations. The Society strongly believes that Hindu Religious Institutions - particularly in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have severely suffered under Government control and departmentalization. While there have been many instances of interferences in Religious matters by Government instrumentalities, poor administration and mis-management of properties, what should be our biggest concern is the destruction and defilement of our Heritage structures. To know more about our Society you may visit our website www.templeworshippers.org. He is currently the President of the Society. 

RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836
S. Swaminathan - sswami99@gmail.com; 2467 1501
R. Gopu, writergopu@yahoo.com, 98417-24641
T. Sivasubramanian, siva.durasoft@gmail.com, 98842-94494

History of Indian Shipping - KRA Narasiah

தமிழ்ப் பாரம்பரியம்
(Tamil Heritage Trust)
presents
INDIAN SHIPPING HISTORY 
TRAUMATIC THREE CENTURIES AND AFTER
by 
K R A Narasiah
at 5.30pm on Saturday, August 3rd, 2013
at Vinoba Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, T Nagar.
About the Topic:

Vasco Da Gama landed in Kozhikode in 1498. The world was never the same again! Followed by the other European nations, when Britain colonized India they maimed many industries in India, the foremost being textile. The Shipping Industry, which had been doing very well in India, came in the firing line of the English as they were worried that with the knowledge available in India about shipping, India may find a way to get rid of the colonialists. They targeted first the ship building then shipping itself and started slowly but steadily to demolish this industry in all its manifestations.

The demolition began with the draconian laws starting with the Navigation Act 1646 followed by restrictive legislations brought in with the notorious Cromwellian 1651 Act. By the end of the 18th century the demolition was complete. In the beginning of the 19th century patriotic Indians started the shipping industry once again but met with tragic results.

Yet India rose above and resurrection started later in the 19th century. The story will be told in a power point presentation by the speaker K R A Narasiah as a continuation of his presentation of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.

About the Speaker:
 
Born in Berhampur Orissa, Narasiah, a marine engineer by profession who has spent 14 years at sea sailing, 10 of which in men-of-war and the rest in merchantmen. He spent some time in Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast while Vikrant, the first Aircraft Carrier of India was fitted out and took over as its first flight deck Chief.While in Port service his services were requisitioned by the Navy for Bangladesh Liberation.

After sea service he joined the Port of Vizag as a marine Engineer and retired as its Chief Mechanical Engineer. He was a consultant with the World Bank for Cambodian Emergency Rehabilitation work from 1994 to 1996. .
He writes both in Tamil and English and is passionate about marine History.

RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836
S. Swaminathan - sswami99@gmail.com; 2467 1501
R. Gopu, writergopu@yahoo.com, 98417-24641
T. Sivasubramanian, siva.durasoft@gmail.com, 98842-94494

Periplus of the Erythraean Sea - K R A Narasiah

தமிழ்ப் பாரம்பரியம்
(Tamil Heritage Trust)
presents
Periplus of the Erythraean Sea
by 
K R A Narasiah
at 5.30pm on Saturday, July 6th, 2013
at Vinoba Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, T Nagar.

About the Topic:

The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea: Travel and Trade in the Indian Ocean by a Merchant of the First Century  - W.H. Schoff (tr. & ed.), 1912. 

The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea is a guide book of navigation and sea trade. The account starts from Egyptian Port of Mussel Harbour and traces all the ports along the coast of Arabia, then on to the coast of India from the mouth of Indus to Bengal in detail and talks about the distances and sailing time, along with various commodities traded in the ports visited. The text has been ascribed to mid-1st century. The original work is by a Greek Navigator and the English translation with a historical analysis was done by W. H. Schoff and published in 1912. Schoff fixed the date of text as 60 CE. The description of the voyage and the ports mentioned clearly shows a firsthand knowledge by someone familiar with the route taken and aware of trade practices and sea customs along the route. Erythraean in Greek means Red and therefore it is a guide book to the Red Sea; actually it was believed anything beyond the Egyptian coast was part of Red Sea. 

The book comprises 66 paragraphs and starting from Egyptian Mussel harbor the first 37paras deal with Arabian Coast and open sea. From 38th Para till the end it is all about Indian Coast. It is remarkable how deeply the author has studied the coast and most of the trade practices and local customs. The work can be compared with evidences available in Sangam Literature and other Indian works of similar time.


It is remarkable how the South Indian ports are fully noted in the correct sequence in the coast and the practices that were followed in those areas.

About the Speaker:

Born in Berhampur Orissa, Narasiah, a marine engineer by profession who has spent 14 years at sea sailing, 10 of which in men-of-war and the rest in merchantmen. He spent some time in Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast while Vikrant, the first Aircraft Carrier of India was fitted out and took over as its first flight deck Chief.While in Port service his services were requisitioned by the Navy for Bangladesh Liberation.

After sea service he joined the Port of Vizag as a marine Engineer and retire as its Chief Mechanical Engineer. He was a consultant with the World Bank for Cambodian Emergency Rehabilitation work from 1994 to 1996. .
He writes both in Tamil and English and is passionate about marine History.

RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836
S. Swaminathan - sswami99@gmail.com; 2467 1501
R. Gopu, writergopu@yahoo.com, 98417-24641
T. Sivasubramanian, siva.durasoft@gmail.com, 98842-94494

மங்காப் புகழும் மங்கிய சுவடும் - சமணத் தமிழனின் சரித்திரம்

தமிழ்ப் பாரம்பரியம்
(Tamil Heritage Trust)
presents
மங்காப் புகழும் மங்கிய சுவடும் - சமணத் தமிழனின் சரித்திரம்
by 
Prof. Kanaka Ajitha Doss
at 5.30pm on Saturday, June 1st, 2013
at Vinoba Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, T Nagar.

About the Topic:

Jainam (Samanam) has had a long but chequered, recorded history over a period of more than 2500 years in peninsular India (Dravida desa). Playing a dominant role in the cultural milieu of the Tamils, it had left indelible marks on the thought and life of the people.

Jaina vestiges in the form of monuments, sculptures, paintings, inscriptions etc. are found throughout  the length and breadth of Tamizhagam. Their contribution to literature and grammar is immense and there is no parallel anywhere. The Tamil script is the singular contribution of the Jains. These throw light on the socio, economic and religious life of Tamil people and speak about the glorious heritage of the past .

As to the Samanas, the glory is there due to their contributions to Tamil literature, grammar and ethics but the pity is that they are completely forgotten by the other Tamils.

About the Speaker:


Speaker Prof. Kanaka Ajitha Doss retired as Head of the Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Presidency College, Chennai. He otained his PhD from Presidency College & Madras Medical College. He has published many research articles in his field.

A practising Jaina, he has written three books on Jainism in Tamil covering an introduction to Jainism, Jaina Temples of Thiruparuthikunram/Kanchipuram and on Digambara Munis who developed Tamil as a classical language and their contribution to Ahimsa. He has translated two Jaina works from English and Manipravala to Tamil, written three plays and a novel on Jaina themes and has written a commentary on Kiriya Kalabam, a very old and sacred work of Jaina Acharyas, editing and expanding an older commentary by Vidur Poornachandra Sasthriyar.


RSVP:

A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836
S. Swaminathan - sswami99@gmail.com; 2467 1501
R. Gopu, writergopu@yahoo.com, 98417-24641
T. Sivasubramanian, siva.durasoft@gmail.com, 98842-94494

Summer camp - some pictures

Around 25 children participated in the summer camp Tamil heritage Trust conducted yesterday and today at the Ragasudha Hall, near Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Day 1, first session was a multimedia introduction to Gandhi by VR Devika.


Second session was Arvind Venkatraman talking about bronzes, bronze making and bronze statues.


Third session was Bhushavali doing a workshop on block printing. A piece of cloth transformed in to a சுருக்குப் பை (cloth bag with strings).






After Day 1, children left home, happy and dirty with acrylic paint, but also a bag that they could show their classmates and teachers.

Day 2 started with a short session by Pradeep Chakravarthy, explaining a "double-meaning" poem of Poet Kalamekam (காளமேகப் புலவர்). The poem, comparing and eventually declaring a coconut and a dog to be the same is given below:

ஓடும் இருக்குமதன் உள்வாய் வெளுத்திருக்கும்
நாடும் குலைதனக்கு நாணாது - சேடியே
தீங்கான தில்லாத் திருமலைரா யன்வரையில்
தேங்காயும் நாயுமெனச் செப்பு


Session 2 was Udhayakumar talking about 50 common vegetables consumed in India today. We started planning for 100 vegetables in the beginning, then cut it down to 50, but eventually managed to only talk about around 30 or so for lack of time. 


The last session was Oviar Chandru, interacting with children, getting them to understand the basics of drawing and painting. Children sketched flowers, vegetables and leaves and coloured them with water colour. You can see what they have done here.


I have videographed the four lecture sessions and will add them online soon.

Summer camp

[For information only. It has already started. Registration is over.]

Tamil Heritage Trust is organizing a two-day summer camp for children aged 8-14, on 18th and 19th May 2013. Details are below:

- Please ask the kids to wear comfortable "old dress" because of painting activities.  Paint can get on their dress.
- Snack and Juice will be provided on both days around 11 am.
- Bring water bottles
- Ragha Sudha is A/C Hall.  So we should all be OK in spite of the Summer Heat.
Parents are expected to bring the children to Ragha Sudha Hall and take them back.
- Parents can be present at the venue but are expected to be discrete and not interfere with the programme (last row is for you).

Saturday, May 18 (9 to 12 noon):

1) A multimedia presentation on Gandhi by VR Devika

2) Bronze Making and Introduction to Indian Bronzes by Arvind

3) Textile Printing Workshop by Bhushavali

Sunday, May 19 (9 to 12 noon):
1) Kalamega Pulavar's songs by Pradeep Chakravarthy

2) 100 Vegetables and their history by Udayakumar

3) Painting Workshop by Oviyar Chandru

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

சோழர்களும் பர சமயமும், ஸ்ரீகுருராஜ் (வீடியோ)


Tags - Chola temples and their Buddhist and Jaina Connections, Sreegururaj, May 4th, 2013, Video

Chola temples and their Buddhist and Jaina Connections

தமிழ்ப் பாரம்பரியம்
(Tamil Heritage Trust)
presents
Chola temples and their Buddhist and Jaina Connections
சோழர் கோயில்களும் பர சமயமும்
by 
Mr. Sreegururaj
at 5.30pm on Saturday, May 4th, 2013
at Vinoba Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, T Nagar.
About the speaker:
This lecture shall take us through an interesting journey of what could have happened to the supporting architecture and the role Chola temples play, in identifying the vestiges. Backed by several strong photographic evidences, this shall also narrate the saga of how the so called “Pira Samayam” (other religions) started to be looked at as the “Para Samayam”, backed by the politico-religious policy of the Cholas, who were mighty temple builders themselves.
About the speaker:
An engineering researcher by profession, Sreegururaj is an artist and an avid heritage enthusiast. He hails from a family of artists with his father and grandfather being listed in India’s “Who is Who” of artists. His grandfather is credited with designing the Government emblem of Tamilnadu.
Gururaj has travelled widely across the globe studying Western and Indian art. He is a permanent member of the Tamilnadu arts and crafts improvement association and has participated in several art camps. His interests include Dravidian art & architecture, Indus and the Tamil Brahmi script. He holds a Masters in electrical engineering, physics and psychology and is also an amateur astronomer.
RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836
S. Swaminathan - sswami99@gmail.com; 2467 1501
R. Gopu, writergopu@yahoo.com, 98417-24641
T. Sivasubramanian, siva.durasoft@gmail.com, 98842-94494

புறநானூறு காட்டும் மானுடம், ஜம்புநாதன் (வீடியோ)


Tags - A critical introduction to the gem of Sangam Literature, Jambunathan, April 6th, 2013, Video

PURANANURU: A critical introduction to the gem of Sangam Literature



தமிழ்ப் பாரம்பரியம்
(Tamil Heritage Trust)
presents
PURANANURU
A critical introduction to the gem of Sangam Literature
by 

Prof C Jambunathan

at 5.30pm on Saturday, April 6th, 2013
at Vinobha Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, T Nagar.

About the topic:

Sangam Literature refers to the Tamil poetry written between 3rd century BCE and 3rd century ACE.
George Hart, Professor Emeritus, University of California, says that Sangam Literature is on par with, or slightly more significant than the best classical literatures of the world, since it is unique, very original and not modelled on any other traditions/genres.  Sangam Literature is broadly classified into Pathinen Melkkanakku (18 books-upper) and Pathinen Kilkkanakku (18 books-lower). The former is further subdivided into Pathuppattu and Ettuthokai, which are 10 long poems by individual poets and 8 anthologies (collection of poems by different poets), respectively.

Purananuru is considered to be the most significant among the 8 anthologies. Though the title is 400 poems, two are missing and the first is an invocation poem to Lord shiva, and this one seems to have been written much later than all the other poems. So actually Purananuru is a collection of 397 poems and several lines are missing from many of these poems. More than 170 poets' names are attributed to these 397 poems/songs.

Several commentators in Tamilnadu, from the ancient times to the modern, have written copious  explanations/interpretations/commentaries.  George Hart, has translated Purananuru into English and that too in the verse form (with the help of his friend).

Several features make PURANANURU, one of the greatest literary works of the world.  A few poems here try to answer almost successfully, the eternal question, "What is the sanction for morality?" (Why should we act rightly and not wrongly?) The answer is given without any refernce to God, Heaven, Hell, Rebirth and so on. The following poem, which deals with the reason for charity, is a good example-

Aay, is no ethical business-man trading in virtue for his own profit,
Thinking what he does in this birth will serve him in his next,
But because before him other noble men
Have followed this right path, his generosity is what it is.

Aay Andiran was one among the seven ancient philanthropist kings (Kadai Ezhu Vallalkal).

A careful and detailed analysis of at least a few poems of PURANANURU will make us revise our ideas about EHICS, drastically.
About the speaker:

The speaker, C. Jambunathan, is currently working as Principal of Vidyaa Vikas College of Education at Tiruchengode in Namakkal district.

Formerly he was a Professor and Principal of Government College of Education, Pudukkottai, from 1975 to 2005. His profession is Teaching of English as a second/foreign language and teaching of philosophy and psychology of education. His varied interests include mathematics, archaeology, Tamil literature- especially Sangam literature.

He has published several articles in The Hindu and most of the Tamil Dailies.

He is the author of 2 books in Tamil, one being a translation of Oliver Goldsmith's, "THE DESERTED VILLAGE" and the other one is about re-conditioning the Indian rivers and providing jobs to 40 crores of our people without much expenditure to the governments.    

RSVP:

A. Annamalai, Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
S. Kannan - 2498 5836
S. Swaminathan - sswami99@gmail.com; 2467 1501
R. Gopu - writergopu@yahoo.com, 98417-2464
T. Sivasubramanian - siva.durasoft@gmail.com, 98842-94494