A majority of source texts of Indian mathematics and astronomy are written in the verse format. Hence, they and even their prose commentaries, make use of a variety of numeration systems in which linguistic phrases—syllables, words, or set of sounds—are employed to represent arbitrary numerical values. The bhūta-saṅkhyā, Āryabhaṭīya, and kaṭapayādi systems of numeration are well known and have been discussed in many scholarly and popular books and articles.
In their Talk for THT, Dr V Ramanathan of IIT-BHU, Dr Venketeswara Pai of IISER Pune and Prof M D Srinivas of CPS, Chennai examine a less-known but significant system developed within the Tamil Astronomy tradition. They discuss the 12th–13th century astronomical work Cūḍāmaṇi Uḷḷamuḍaiyān by Tirukkoṭṭiyūr Nambi, which uses a vowel-based numeration scheme (uyirēḻuttu) to encode arbitrary numbers by a method that is significantly distinct from systems mentioned above. In particular, they explain its use in encoding lunar longitudes and its application in the formulation of the 248 Candravākyas (sometimes referred to as the Pañcāṅgavākyas) in Tamil.
Their online talk in English titled "Uyirēḻuttu: A System of Numeration Used in Tamil Astronomy Texts" is at 5.30 pm IST on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
About the Speakers:
Dr. V. Ramanathan is a physical chemist in the Department of Chemistry at IIT(BHU) Varanasi and heading the IKS Center of the institute. He carried out his post-doctoral research works in University of Stuttgart in Germany, University of Basel in Switzerland and Seoul National University in South Korea. He obtained his PhD from IIT Kanpur, India. His areas of current academic research are Raman imaging and spectroscopy, SERS and computational chemistry. His other research interest lies in studying the scientific heritage of India. He is a Fulbright scholar and a former core committee member of Indian National Young Academy of Science (a body of Indian National Science Academy (INSA).
Dr. Venketeswara Pai is a renowned scholar in the field of Indian mathematics and astronomy, with expertise in Sanskrit scientific literature, manuscript studies, and traditional knowledge systems. As a faculty member at IISER Pune, he has made significant contributions to the study of historical mathematical texts, their interpretations, and their relevance within the broader framework of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). He has done extensive research on Indian astronomical treatise making use of his strong background in philology and mathematical analysis and computation. Dr. Pai has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and books, receiving prestigious awards for his research in Indian astronomy and mathematics.
Prof. M. D Srinivas is Chairman of Centre for Policy Studies at Chennai, a Research institute which he founded along with Dr. J. K. Bajaj and a few colleagues with the objective of comprehending India from an Indian perspective. After completing his PhD in University of Rochester, New York, USA, Srinivas taught at the Department of Theoretical Physics, University of Madras during 1976-1996. His areas of interest are: Conceptual and mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics; Indian scientific tradition, especially Indian mathematics and astronomy; and Society, polity and economy of India in the Eighteenth century. He has published significant works in all these fields. He was selected a Fellow of Indian National Science Academy in 2023 for his work on History and Philosophy of Science. His name has been included among the list of Padma Shri awardees this year.
Inviting Nominations for the V Venkayya Epigraphy Award 2025
Smt. Sunitha Madhavan and Tamil Heritage Trust are proud and happy to invite nominations for the Fourth V Venkayya Epigraphy Award (2025). This unique annual award was established in 2022 by Smt. Madhavan to honor her great-grandfather, Rai Bahadur Shri V Venkayya, the pioneering scholar who became the first native Chief Epigraphist to the Government of India.
The V. Venkayya Epigraphy Award (VVE Award) seeks to honor outstanding individual contributions in the discovery of unrecorded inscriptions, the interpretation of inscriptions from new perspectives, the dissemination of their knowledge through traditional and digital mediums, and the preservation of epigraphic resources for future generations.
The nominees can be professionals in the field of epigraphy, independent researchers, or enthusiasts with a substantial body of work in advancing epigraphy in India. Collective entities such as societies, trusts, Section 8 companies, and other interest groups are ineligible for this award.
The Award is based on a nomination and selection process. The Award consists of a citation and a prize of Rs. 50000/-
Dr. Y Subbarayalu, one of India’s eminent Epigraphers and Historians, received the inaugural V Venkayya Epigraphy Award in 2022. Dr P V Krishnamurthy (Dr PVK), one of the foremost Kannada Epigraphers, was conferred the second V Venkayya Epigraphy Award in 2023. Dr V. Vedachalam, one of the best-known Tamil Epigraphers, received the third V Venkayya Epigraphy Award in 2024.
(Rai Bahadur) Shri V. Venkayya, born in 1864 in the lineage of the illustrious scholar Appaya Dikshita of the 16th century, was one of the pioneering epigraphists of India. His contribution to understanding the inscriptions of Pallavas, starting with Mamallapuram and Cholas with the Brahadeeswara Temple, broke new ground in the field of Epigraphy in India. He also deciphered the writing (legends) on coins.
A chance meeting with Dr. E. Hultzsch, the famous German Indologist and ASI’s first Chief Epigraphist, at Mamallapuram, turned the obscure school teacher into an expert in epigraphy, who eventually became the first Indian Chief Epigraphist to the Government of India. His stellar effort in unravelling, recording and deciphering hundreds of lithic and copper-plate inscriptions of Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas and others through publications like “South Indian Inscriptions” inspired many epigraphists and historians to record, reconstruct and write the history of South India in a new light with clarity and scholarship.
Nomination Process
- Any individual can nominate another or self-nominate for noteworthy contributions to epigraphy.
- Only one nomination per individual is allowed.
- Nominations from 2023 and 2024, if not awarded, will automatically be considered this year. No re-nomination needed.
- Nominees must be Indian citizens residing in India.
- Email nominations to awards.tht@gmail.com by May 11, 2025.
- No standard nomination form is required, but submissions must include:
- Personal Details: Name, address, contact info, photograph, and brief biodata.
- Contribution Details: Summary of work in epigraphy, focusing on the past decade (in MS Word, PowerPoint, or PDF).
- Supporting Documents: Evidence like published papers, articles, website/blog links, talks, courses, or social media activity.
- Submissions must be in English.
Selection of Winner
A jury comprising experts from the field of Epigraphy, History and Heritage and members of the THT Award Committee will select the winner. As a part of the selection process, the members of the jury may choose to have an interaction with the nominee in person or over the phone.
Award Ceremony & Award Lecture
The V Venkayya Epigraphy Award will be presented at a formal function on July 19, 2025 (Saturday) in Chennai.
The winner will be invited to deliver an Award Lecture on a topic of their choice and is requested to submit the manuscript for publication at least a week before the function. The lecture is preferably to be in English
FAQs
Am I eligible to enter?
We welcome nominations from any individual who is a citizen of India and is ordinarily resident in India. Organisations and institutions – like Societies, Trusts, Interest Groups, etc – are not eligible.
Nominations not considered for the award in the years 2023 & 2024 need not be sent again this year. Those nominations will be automatically considered for the award this year
What is the Last Date for Nomination?
The last date for the Nomination to reach THT is May 11, 2025.
What are the criteria for selection?
The judges will look for, among other qualities and parameters:
- New epigraphical discoveries or insights
- Thoroughness of knowledge in the chosen area
- Scholarly rigour in the individual’s output
- Demonstrable eagerness to share with the public and involve them in a dialogue
- Consistency and persistence of the effort
In what language should the Nomination be submitted?
Nominations can be sent in English only.
Is there an Entry Fee?
No, there is no fee involved.
When will the winner be announced?
The winner will be announced shortly before the Award Ceremony and the Award Lecture.
When and where is the Awards Function?
The function will be held on July 19, 2025, at Arkay Convention Centre, Chennai, at 5:30 p.m.
Is it necessary for the Winner to deliver the Award Lecture?
Yes, the Winner will be expected to deliver the Award Lecture at the Ceremony, in English, on a topic of her/his choice.
Terms + Conditions of Entry
The Award will be made solely at the discretion of the Jury. No feedback or correspondence will be entertained about the results, and the Jury’s decision is final.
For any clarifications, please mail us at: awards.tht@gmail.com
Phone: Ravishankar: 9500074247
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