Inviting nominations for the THT-Prof S Swaminathan Heritage Award 2026

 

The Tamil Heritage Trust-Prof S Swaminathan Heritage Award (THT-SS Award) aims to recognize exceptional individual contributions towards the understanding, dissemination and preservation of Indian Heritage.

As a lover of Indian heritage, you will have come across someone who is doing great work in this area. He or she may be contributing in one or more of the following ways:

1. Preserving our heritage - through conservation, documentation etc.

2. Disseminating knowledge and information about our heritage - through writing books, articles, blog posts, giving lectures, conducting heritage walks etc.

3. Deepening our understanding of our heritage through academic research, field work, etc.

In 2020, Tamil Heritage Trust instituted the THT-Prof S Swaminathan Heritage Award to recognise the contributions of such "heritage heroes".

If you know someone who you believe should be considered for such a recognition, we invite you to nominate them for the Award.

How to nominate:

1. Any individual can nominate any other individual.

2. Individuals can also nominate themselves.

3. Nominee's age should be between 20 and 50 years as of Sep 27, 2026.

4. The individual must be a citizen of India and ordinarily resident in India.

5. Nominations must be submitted through this online form and should reach us before September 27th, 2026. Nominations and accompanying details may be in English or Tamil only.

6. Nominations that were not considered for the Award in previous years can be sent again this year with up-to-date information.

 The last date for receiving nominations is September 27th, 2026.

 Please note that we will be including nominations that were received last year for consideration for this year’s award. If you have nominated someone the last year and would like to update your nomination, please use the nomination form to submit any additional information. 

 We look forward to hearing from you soon.

For any clarifications, please send a mail to  admin@tamilheritage.in or kishoremahadevan@gmail.com

Rajani Arjun Shankar. "Chitrakaavyam: Poetry Designed to Dazzle". Sep 5, 2026.

In her talk, "Chitrakaavyam: Poetry Designed to Dazzle", researcher and translator, Rajani Arjun Shankar will explore Sanskrit verses composed over the past two millennia that showcase this extraordinary form of poetic ingenuity. Some verses impose elaborate restrictions on the letters or sounds that may be used; others can be arranged or represented in visual patterns, adding another dimension to the meaning of “Chitra” - “picture” or “wonder.” The talk will also explore intriguing examples from Tamil poetry. The online Talk in English is at 5.30 pm IST on Saturday, September 5th, 2026. About The Speaker: Rajani Arjun Shankar, who previously taught at "The School - KFI," currently works as a Sanskrit teacher and translator. Driven by her passion for Carnatic music, she has translated the *kritis* (compositions) of Muthuswami Dikshitar and Sadasiva Brahmendra into English, sharing them on the blogs *Guruguha Vaibhavam* and *Sadasiva Brahmendra Vaibhavam*. As a volunteer with the NGO 'Nizhal', she has spoken on topics such as *Sthala Vrikshams* (temple trees) and the significance of trees in Tamil and Sanskrit literature. She is also actively engaged in studying and learning the *Saiva Thirumurais* and the works of Arunagirinathar through music, as well as writing articles about them.

V Venkayya Epigraphy Award Function is Postponed

It is with profound sorrow that the Tamil Heritage Trust announces the postponement of the V Venkayya Epigraphy Award 2026 function, scheduled for 29 August 2026, following the passing of the awardee, Dr C. Somasundara Rao, on 18 August 2026. The function will take place on a future date, and the award and citation will be presented to his family.

Dr Rao was a distinguished historian and epigraphist who devoted his life to the study and preservation of Andhra history, epigraphy, palaeography and numismatics. Through his pioneering research, landmark publications, editing of inscriptions, teaching and guidance of younger scholars, he made an enduring contribution to the understanding of South India's inscriptional heritage.

His Inscriptions of Andhra Pradesh, Studies in Andhra History and Culture and his edition of South Indian Inscriptions, Volume XLII stand as lasting monuments to his scholarship. His work also brought epigraphy closer to students and the wider public.

The Tamil Heritage Trust mourns the loss of an eminent scholar and doyen of the epigraphical community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, students and admirers.

We shall remember Dr C. Somasundara Rao with admiration and deep respect.

V Venkayya Epigraphy Award 2026 Winner Announced

Dr C Somasundara Rao, born in 1940, is a distinguished historian and epigraphist specialising in Andhra history, epigraphy, palaeography and numismatics. He joined Andhra University’s Department of History & Archaeology in 1963 and became Professor in 1985.

His landmark publication, Inscriptions of Andhra Pradesh (2014; 2nd ed., 2024), traces Telugu script from Brahmi through Telugu-Kannada, incorporating palaeographical tables, photographs, chronograms and nearly 700 numeral examples with Saka dates. Other major works include Studies in Andhra History and Culture (2019) and South Indian Inscriptions, Vol. XLII (2020), spanning the Mauryan to Vijayanagara periods. He has edited copperplate grants of the Eastern Gangas, the Chalukyas of Vengi, the Kakatiyas, and the Kona Haihayas.

His research has advanced understanding of Satavahana chronology, Khandavalli and Kona Haihaya grants, the Soraikkavur plates, and the Ashtadiggajas. He has identified significant inscriptional features including the Daya-gaja-Kesari legend and distinctive Vaishnavite seal symbols.