Coimbatore :
It is a compilation of the Kongu Region’s evolution, primarily Coimbatore, Erode and Tirupur districts.
Similar to the Kansas cyclopedia or the more recent Salem cyclopedia, it lists entries on various personalities, localities, monuments, landmarks, events and historical findings from Coimbatore and surrounding areas that shaped the evolution of a rural landscape into a bustling industrial hub. For CR Elangovan, a former employee of a private educational institution in Coimbatore and a self proclaimed historical chronicler of the region, the 250 page book with more than 1000 entries has been the realisation of countless trips, discussions and persuasions since 2013.
“I have collected around 15,000 photographs and have met numerous people to prepare this manuscript. I could say that I have travelled across the entire region on my motorcycle to collect the photographs and information listed in this book,” said CR Elangovan, author of Coimbatore cyclopedia.
Aptly titled as Coimbatore cyclopedia ( encyclopedia), the hardbound book was initially planned as Kongu cyclopedia but the idea was dropped since a Salem cyclopedia had already been published by B Rajannan, another historian and librarian. The Coimbatore cyclopedia includes entries about eminent personalities from the region, temples, cave inscriptions and even prominent towns and villages in the region. Koniamman Temple, major mosques, forgotten freedom fighters, local chieftains and prominent industrialists and entrepreneurs all find mention in the compilation.
“There might have been some omissions and a few grammatical errors in this edition but it will be identified and rectified. I have been helped and supported by numerous people from the city without which this would not have been possible,” Elangovan added that the book also mentions the first pump set manufactured in Coimbatore, the first eye clinic started in Town Hall in 1928 and interesting tit bits about the region ranging from the final resting place of Hugo Wood, a British forest officer who propagated teak cultivation in Top Slip and was buried in the forests as per his final wish. The traditional customs and religious rituals of almost all communities residing in Coimbatore are also mentioned in the book.
“The Salem cyclopedia was done on a wider scale with the support of government and research institutions. It took almost nine years for them to complete the research and bring out the manuscript. It was published in 1992,” Elangovan said.
Elangovan resides at RS Puram here in the city and is presently working as a full time author and historian. He has already written two books on the history of Coimbatore and Siruvani river. K Subramanian, Former Assistant Editor of Tamil Encyclopedia along with prominent industrialists and philanthropists from the city were present at the function.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Binoy Valsan, TNN / November 06th, 2013