Category Archives: Historical Links, Pre-Independence

Bringing the past to the present

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
Dr. R. Kalaikovan with Dr. M. Nalini and Dr. R. Akila at the Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple in Srirangam. Photo: M. Srinath
Dr. R. Kalaikovan with Dr. M. Nalini and Dr. R. Akila at the Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple in Srirangam. Photo: M. Srinath

This trio of scholars has been steadily working to chronicle the temple heritage of southern India

“The history that has survived for so long surely knows how to take care of itself,” says Dr. R. Kalaikovan, an ophthalmologist who balances his medical practice with his ardent love for researching the state’s past, particularly through its temples.

Assisted by his former students and now experts in their own right, professors M. Nalini and A. Akila, Dr. Kalaikovan has been the brain behind the Tiruchi-based Dr. M. Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research Centre, named after his father, the outstanding scholar and Reader of Tamil at the Madras University.

A distinction student at school-level history, the young Kalaikovan opted to study Medicine at the Madras Medical College, and followed it up with a Diploma in Ophthalmology. He shifted to Tiruchi after marriage in the 1970s. “From 1975-80, I was strictly an ophthalmologist. I had no knowledge of history but for what I had learned in my school days,” he recalls.

In 1980, the priest of Woraiyur’s Panchavarna Swamy temple invited Dr. Kalaikovan for a prayer of thanksgiving after the successful cataract operation that he had done on him.

“After the prayer, while taking a look around, I came across the carving of a bicycle on a pillar behind the Amman temple,” says Dr. Kalaikovan. “It was so funny and intriguing to see the picture of a cycle in an ancient temple. But neither the officials nor the scholar who wrote its history, were able to explain how it came there. I started researching this fact.”

Through multiple forays into the history of the bicycle (which was invented in Germany in 1800s), and the Chola-era Woraiyur temple, he theorised that the vehicle was possibly a novelty in Tiruchi of the 1920s, when the temple had been renovated. “Perhaps the sculptor had seen someone on a cycle, was impressed by it and had recorded it forever on stone,” says Dr. Kalaikovan. “After this I got so interested in temple history, that I could no longer leave it.

“The builder of the temple, Kochengannan Chozhan, was the first to develop the typical temple complex in the 5th century. He premiered the concept of building temples on a maada (raised platform), followed by the Vimana (tower above the sanctum-sanctorum), to protect the structure from the flooding of the Cauvery.”

The centre has since found 34 such temples in the State.

Detailed projects

Among the many achievements of this trio of scholars is a district-wise directory of all the 105 cave temples of the State, a seven-volume magnum opus that took ten years to complete. “There is a line of thought among English-language historians that cave temple architecture doesn’t belong to Tamil Nadu, and was an idea copied from Maharashtra or the Kalinga empire. We have only 20 large cave temples, but the sculptures are excellent. And there is a difference in style and presentation, which we want to prove conclusively in our next publication,” says Dr. Kalaikovan.

The other major work of archival value that the team has undertaken is a detailed exploration of the nine monoliths of Mamallapuram.

With a sense of a teacher’s pride in his brilliant students, Dr. Kalaikovan credits Nalini and Akila for their dedication in highlighting temples as centres of history. “Around 1000 inscriptions have been found by these two scholars,” he says. “There are a lot of people, but few with dedication in historical research. Of the 60 students I have coached, 50 are women, but they have disappeared after graduation, due to domestic constraints. I request more women to come forward to work in archaeology, history and temple study, because they have a sense of devotion and attention to detail that is missing in men.”

Epigraphic snapshots

Dr. Nalini, associate professor of history at the Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, describes the cave temple directory as her best work to date. She was drawn towards epigraphy as a specialisation in her Ph.D, when she compared temple inscriptions between a fertile and barren area of Perambalur. “We were able to discover many details about the life and agricultural output of the villages through these inscriptions,” she says.

“When we discover an inscription, we inform the print media first and then the government authorities, so that they can copy it when they are on a tour here. Even though the Tamil alphabet has evolved, most of the meanings are to be interpreted through palaeographic study and through the historical references of the period,” she adds.

“Inscription study gives real history,” says Dr. Kalaikovan. “An inscription is like a register of events, showing the connections of the temple to society and political authorities. For example in Thirumayam, there is a Perumal temple and Sivan temple in the same campus. At the end of the 13th century, it was separated for worship. The details of this partition were decided by a committee of villagers, scholars and outside observers. The treaty discusses how the two temples would be separated, and also how the common areas would be used. It really surprised us to see the amount of balance and objectivity despite the quarrel behind the issue,” says Dr. Kalaikovan.

Guiding youngsters

Dr. Akila, who is an assistant professor of history at Arignar Anna Government Arts and Science College, Musiri, joined the centre as a student in 1989. Unable to secure a place in M.Phil after her Masters degree, she was advised by Dr. Kalaikovan to apply directly for her Ph.D at Bharathidasan University instead. Her highly-commended thesis on the Pazhuvur temple was the first to be written in Tamil.

Her work on the Mamallapuram monoliths, which included identifying the builder and recording the epigraphy, is perhaps the most detailed project of its kind on the historical relic.

“Since I’m now in the field, and want to improve, I try to guide the students in temple study, in its architecture and inscriptions,” says Dr. Akila. “Recently, a third-year student told us about a slab with an inscription at the Thirukameswar Temple, Vellore, which Nalini was able to identify and decipher. We usually give the credit to the students who spot the inscriptions, to help them with their projects.”

Save the legacy

Some facts may never emerge from the veil of times past, concedes Dr. Kalaikovan. “There is no doubt at all that our temple builders had real scientific knowledge. But unfortunately they have not recorded it in either literary or epigraphic form,” he says. “The temple builders never cared for their names, they only wanted to leave the structures behind as their legacy.”

Which makes it all the more important for the succeeding generations to take care of them, says Dr. Kalaikovan. “Temples should be treated as sacred history spaces, and maintained by the community. We must teach the people how to enjoy the temple and keep it clean for worship.”

***

Fact file

Dr. M. Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research was established in 1982 by his son Dr. R. Kalaikovan, an ophthalmologist. Dr. M. Nalini and Dr. R. Akila are its honorary assistant-directors.

The centre publishes an annual magazine called Varalaaru. Its monthly web-zine titled varalaaru.com is run by five software professionals with an interest in history, and has 109 issues online so far.

Besides a vast database of research material generated by its own scholars, the centre also periodically guides students and holds awareness programmes on temple preservation.

Dr. Kalaikovan may be emailed at kalaikkovanr@yahoo.com

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Nahla Nainar / June 12th, 2015

HIDDEN HISTORIES – Lord of the Cooum

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Was Cooum originally Komaleeswaram?
Was Cooum originally Komaleeswaram?

There is a theory that Cooum, a polluted river in Chennai is a corruption of Komaleeswaram.

In South India, any spot where a river suddenly turns north is considered particularly holy. A temple usually comes up at this bend. Our polluted Cooum River is no different. After flowing placidly west to east, it takes a turn northwards at Egmore, forms an oxbow around Chintadripet and then flows east to the sea. The little hamlet that nestles in this bend is Komaleeswaranpet.

The village takes its name from its Shiva temple where the Lord is Komaleeswarar and his consort, Komalambika. There is also a theory that Cooum is a corruption of Komaleeswaram. This must have been a sylvan locality around 400 years ago, the river sending wafts of cool breeze. It became an urban settlement in the 1730s when Chintadripet on the opposite bank developed. The main thoroughfare of the village led from the temple and came to be known as Pagoda Street, after the British term for any Hindu place of worship.

This street, backing as it did on to the river, became the place of residence of the well-to-do. Chief among these was Dubash Pachayappa Mudaliar, who in a short lifespan of 40 years (1754 to 1794), earned an enormous fortune, most of which is today used for running educational institutions. Srinivasa Pillai, who wrote Mudaliar’s biography in the 1840s, has it that Pachayappa built his house “at the hermitage like Komaleeswaranpet which takes its name from Lord Shiva.”

Pachayappa’s neighbours on Pagoda Street were Muniappa Pillai, a wealthy businessman and Swami Naick, a Native Dresser in the Army. All three have streets commemorating them in Komaleeswaranpet. Swami Naick is also remembered in a small monument set within a triangular park. Pagoda Street is now Harris (Adithanar) Road, a broad thoroughfare.

Local tradition has it that all the aristocrats of the village worshipped Komaleeswarar. Pachayappa’s will, however, does not mention any donation to it. The temple had a unique festival when flowers would be brought in coracles along the river. Today, this can only be imagined. The flourishing grey market for automobile parts that constitutes Pudupet has cut off the Cooum from Komaleeswarar. Sailing in the Cooum would be impossible anyway.

When you enter Temple Street, you are transported back to the 1800s. Old houses line the sides. The temple has acquired a tower in recent years. A broad courtyard leads to the small sanctum, which has sadly been modernised with polished granite and vitrified tiles. But the pillars and ceiling of the pavilion fronting it retain their antiquity with carved figures on them. A stone slab in the kitchen records a renovation done in 1818 by one Kuppammal, wife of Triplicane-based Baba Sah, a cloth merchant of the Saurashtra community. Donors of this century have not been as aesthetic as her in recording their munificence. Huge black granite slabs set out their deeds in gaudy gold lettering.

Komaleeswaranpet brings a whiff of old Madras, and sadly, a lot of the Cooum.

(Sriram is passionate about Chennai history and Carnatic music, and has several books to his credit)

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Sriram V / June 12th, 2015

Ancient royal ring found in Karur riverbed

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
The silver ring with the emblem of a fish found on the Amaravathi riverbed. Photo: Special Arrangement
The silver ring with the emblem of a fish found on the Amaravathi riverbed. Photo: Special Arrangement

A silver ring with an inscription in the ancient Tamil Brahmi script has been found reportedly from the Amaravathi riverbed at Karur in Tamil Nadu. The highly stylised script depicts the punctuated Pandya fish emblem.

Ms Beena Sarasan, an expert in numismatics, who purchased the ring from an antique dealer, suggested that the script reads “peruvazhuthi.”

Peruvazhuti is the name of a Pandya king who, according to the Tamil sangam tradition, has performed several vedic yagas and rituals . The letters are engraved in bold and legible characters.

The full name of this Pandya king was Palyagasalai Mutukutumi Peruvazhuthi who finds mention in several early Tamil sangam songs.

Dr. M.R. Raghava Varier, former Professor of Epigraphy, Calicut University said the letters on the ring can be attributed to an early stage of evolution of the Tamil Brahmi characters on the basis of the palaeographical features of the script.

Dr. Varier observed that the characters representing the peculiar Dravidian sound “Zha” show the earliest form of the letter found in the cave labels of Arittappatti- Mangulam group of inscriptions of the 3rd or 2nd century BCE.

The characteristic rightward stroke of the Tamil Brahmi letters as suggested by earlier scholars are also present in the third letter “Va”. The artefact is a valuable find in the historical and epigraphical studies of ancient Tamilakam, Dr. Raghava Varier added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Kerala / by E. M. Manoj / Kalpetta (Kerala) – June 01st, 2015

Lasting regret of Tamil thatha

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All
Portrait of U. Ve. Swaminatha Iyer
Portrait of U. Ve. Swaminatha Iyer

He could not meet the man who sent him palm leaf manuscript of Tamilvidu Thoothu

It may sound like a tragic romantic story in which the lovers never get to meet each other.

U. Ve. Swaminatha Iyer, the grand old man of Tamil, had a lasting regret that he never got to meet a man who had sent him a rare palm leaf manuscript of Tamilvidu Thoothu , an anonymous Tamil literary work in 264 stanzas.

In an essay, ‘Innum ariyen’, Iyer narrated his failure to meet the man who had brought the manuscript. Apparently, the man was in financial trouble and was hiding from his creditors. He was not able to preserve the manuscripts and sent them through Swaminatha Iyer’s student Sambasivam Chettiyar in 1900 in Kumbakonam.

“Iyer’s regret was that not only was the author ofTamividu Thoothu unknown, he could not meet even the person who preserved the manuscripts,” said P. Saravanan, who is compiling 165 articles written by Swaminatha Iyer during various periods.

Most of these articles had appeared inSwadesamitran , Kalaimagal , Ananda Vikatan ,Kalki and little known journals such as Darul Islam , Aadal Paadal and Silpasree . Twenty of these were never published.

Book release in August

Mr. Saravanan, a postgraduate Tamil teacher at the Chennai Corporation School, said the book would run into 1,000 pages and ‘Kalachuvadu’, the publisher, had plans to bring it out in three volumes .

It will be published in August with a preface by Professor A.R. Venkatachalapathy of Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS), who encouraged Mr. Saravanan to take up this venture.

“While compiling the book, I have depended on the first edition, and the second edition that contained corrections carried out by Swaminatha Iyer himself. I am saying this because subsequent editions are rampant with errors,” said Mr. Saravanan, who has already published the prefaces of Swaminathan Iyer titled Saminatham.

In search of

missing flowers

In Uthirntha Malar , Iyer had explained his journey in search of three flowers mentioned inKurinjipattu .

Nilavil Malarntha Mullai talks about the surprise discovery of a work called Mullaipattu .

Mr. Saravanan said Swaminatha Iyer had also reviewed Sangakaalathil Chera Mannargal , a book penned by Raghava Iyengar in 1937. Sanga Tamizhum Pirkala Tamizhum , originally delivered as a 10-day lecture at the Madras University, runs into 200 pages.

“A news reporter in Swaminatha Iyer can be spotted in the essay he wrote in 1904 about Tiruvidaimarudhur Vasantha Mahotsavam,” said Mr. Saravanan.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by B. Kolappan / Chennai – June 02nd, 2015

Ooty city sports an imperial look as vintage cars rally with style

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Sports

Udhagamandalam :

The tenth consecutive year of the annual vintage car rally was held in style as about seventy vintage and classic cars trundled at Ooty’s main square on Saturday. The participants along with the audience thronged to gaze the old beauties. The rally organized by the Nilgiri Vintage and Classic Cars Association is being held in the hill resort.
The city sported an imperial look with 70 cars and 20 two-wheelers of the vintage era majestically toured across the town to YWCA Anandhagiri ground near Ooty main bus stand.

The number of cars witnessed this year at the show rose from 50 last year. Exclusives of the show included 1931 Baby Austin, 1946 make Wolsley, Austin, Dodge, Cowley, an American Ford Jeep, ‘Low Bonnet’ which was a part of the World War II, and MG TB make of 1939.

While Low Bonnet appeared in Vijai’s ‘Kuruvi’, MG TB, owned by AVM production, appeared in Rajini’s ‘Shivaji’. Out of seventy, over thirty-five vintage participants drove from Chennai, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Namakkal and Erode and the rest from Bangalore and Cochin.

1946 make Wolsley which was on display once belonged to the Mysore Maharaja. His collection also includes a 1954 Plymouth and a 1954 Austin both once owned by J R D Tata of which Plymouth was the car Tata used for his personal use.

R Rajnikanth, president of the Nilgiri Vintage Car Association, who has an alluring collection of 9 cars, including a van, Dodge Kingsway and Austin said, “Maintaining vintage cars is not expensive. It can run around 50 to 60km per month,” adding that only the tyres are to be imported as other parts of the car are in good condition.

Among the members in the Nilgiris Vintage and Classic Car Association, he has the highest number of cars.

Conversing further about his passion, he added, “Vintage cars can run for about 100 years. The oldest I have is ‘Baby Austin’ which is 79 years old. It can run comfortably for another 25 years.”

Apart from individual collectors, the Defence Service Staff College (DSSC), Wellington too owns high end vintage luxury cars such as Plymouth Savoy (1957) and a Mercedes Benz 200 (1967) which served many dignitaries including Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and former President Abdul Kalam during their visit to the summer retreat and still continues to serve the top officials of the DSSC.

The vintage car association awards its winners. The show is partially sponsored by TaxiTaxi, a rental car concern.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / TNN / May 27th, 2015

The Indo-Danish connect

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion
The Danish Fort, also called ‘Dansborg Fort’ at Tranquebar, built in 1620 AD. / Photo: T. Singaravelou / The Hindu
The Danish Fort, also called ‘Dansborg Fort’ at Tranquebar, built in 1620 AD. / Photo: T. Singaravelou / The Hindu

The National Archives of Denmark records that a fisherman from Karaikal was responsible for the modern history of Tranquebar.

On a glorious day in April 1620 AD., a Danish jaght (a three-masted, lightly armed merchant vessel of the 17 century), Øresund, was freebooting around Karaikal on the south-east coast of India, when a fleet of six galleys sent by Andre Botelho da Costa, the Portuguese governor of Jaffna, attacked it. Its captain, Roeland Crappe, and twelve of his crew escaped thanks to the aid of a fisherman.

A list of salaries found in the Danish National Archives reveals a stunning secret: “Cuti’s mother, a woman whose husband (was he also Cuti’s father?), saved the life of General Crappe when he lost his ship, Øresund, outside Carical” was paid one pardou every month for 25 years in gratitude for saving Crappe’s life. The jaght was totally wrecked, and the rest of the crew captured and murdered by the Portuguese. Two of the heads were displayed on stakes to warn the enemies. Earlier the jaght had captured several small Portuguese junks laden with rice and areca nuts on the east coast and auctioning goods with the permission of the king of Kandy.

Roeland Crappe managed to reach the court of Raghunatha Nayak at Tanjore, whom he had known earlier. Crappe must have expressed the wishes of his employer, Christian IV of Denmark, to set up trade relations in south-east Asia to Raghunatha Nayak. A letter by Raghunatha Nayak on a gold-foil asserts: “We order the creation of a port named Tharangampadi here and allow the export of pepper to that country (Denmark) as it is rare there.” A fisherman from Karaikal was thus responsible for the modern history of Tranquebar! Raghunatha Nayak signed the official treaty in Portuguese on November 19, 1620. Ove Gedde, a barely 23-year-old Admiral appointed by Christian IV, as the leader of a Danish fleet concluded the formal treaty on behalf of the Danes.

The National Archives in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a treasure house of records, dealing with the history of Tanjore and Tranquebar of 17 to 19 centuries. The Royal Library and the National Museum in Copenhagen house more than 350 palm-leaf collections from India from old almanacs to the diaries of local catechists to Arunachala Kavirayar’s Rama Natakam. As is often said, history is usually written by the conquerors and thus becomes one-sided. When available, history needs to be studied from both sides — and here the records in Denmark come as a great help.

Most historians assume that Raghunatha Nayak ruled between 1600 and 1634. Vriddhagirisan, an authority on the Nayaks of Tanjore, writes: “Considering the duration of all the individual reigns of the Tanjore Nayaks, it becomes evident that Raghunatha, the most illustrious ruler of this family had but a relatively short reign and his death will have to be placed about AD 1634.” On the question of who succeeded Raghunatha Nayak, Indian historians disagree. On the successor to the throne, Vriddhagirisan assumes that it was Vijayaraghava Nayak. He writes: “Vijayaraghava’s accession must have taken place in the year 1633 and that it was celebrated sometime before the death of Raghunatha.” There are many claims and counter-claims. Vriddhagirisan mentions two sons of Raghunatha, namely Achyuta and Ramabhadra, and Vijayaraghava would appear to the eldest son according to the genealogy given in the Raghunathabhudayam of Vijayaraghava Nayak. At the same time, Vriddhagirisan also cites a Jesuit letter: “Two brothers of the (Vijayaraghava) Nayaka, whom he had shut up in prison, after pulling out their eyes to remove all possibility of succeeding him… Ramabhadra could not have been on the direct line of succession… it is not quite known for certain, that Achyuta Vijayaraghava was also called Achyuta Ramabhadra.”

Tranquebar (Tharangampadi) celebrated its 395th year of its Danish connections in April this year.
Tranquebar (Tharangampadi) celebrated its 395th year of its Danish connections in April this year.

The Danish records are certain. Ove Gedde left three diaries after his strenuous voyage. He noted down everything. These diaries were then transcribed by Johann Heinrich Schlegel and are available as Google books. On November 4, 1620, Gedde notes, “I paid a visit to the eldest son of the Nayak and the throne follower, who requested me to visit him often.” On November 7: “the same day, the Nayak requested me to visit his middle son, who had complained that I had not paid him a visit.” It is obvious that Raghunatha Nayak had at least three sons. Citing a letter from Roeland Crappe written on September 17, 1628 from Masulipatnam (the original letter is in the Archives), Schlegel writes: “Ragnato Naiche died early on 25 November 1626 and cremated the same day with 119 of his wives. His eldest son Rambadra succeeded him to the throne, and came with 100 men to the fortification of Dansburg (in Tranquebar) (Johann Heinrich Schlegel, Samlung zur Dänischen Geschichte, Münzkenntniss, Oekonomie und Sprache, Erster band, Viertes Stück, pp. 162-163).”

Hidden in the National Archives in Copenhagen for almost 400 years, there is an innocuous letter from Christian IV written from his castle at Frederiksborg on April 11, 1631. The letter affirms the affection of the King to the Nayak of Tanjore, and expresses his wish for a continuation of the relationship between the two countries. The letter itself is not significant — the Addressee is: “The mighty, royal Prince Ramabadro Naico, King of Tanjore, our specially good friend!” Evidently, after the death of Raghunatha Nayak in 1626, Ramabhadra Nayak succeeded his father until he was gruesomely relieved of his post by his younger brother, Achutha Vijaya Raghava Nayak in 1634 AD.

P.S. Ramanujam is Professor Emeritus in the Technical University of Denmark, Roskilde, Denmark. psramanujam@gmail.com

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Magazine / by P.S. Ramanujam / May 02nd, 2015

Renovated Gass Forest Museum opened

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Records, All
The renovated Gass Forest Museum on the campus of Tamil Nadu Forest Academy which was opened on Friday.— Photo: M. Periasamy
The renovated Gass Forest Museum on the campus of Tamil Nadu Forest Academy which was opened on Friday.— Photo: M. Periasamy

Gass Forest Museum on the premises of the Tamil Nadu Forest Academy which had been closed for renovation work, was thrown open to the public on Saturday. Boasting of over 4,000 exhibits, the century-old museum was founded by H.A. Gass, a British Forest Officer, in 1903.

Initially housed in the residence of Gass, it moved to its present location in 1915. This is a one-of-a-kind institution that has an exquisite collections, says IFGTB Director (in-charge) R.S. Prashanth.

On entering the museum, one is greeted by a life-sized model of an intimidating Indian Gaur, which was presented by Sir Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar Bahadur, the last Maharaja of the princely state of Mysore.

The museum houses a rich collection that ranges from birds such as kingfishers, cormorant, egret, hawks and eagles, to more than 600 timber species including a 456-year-old cross section of a teak tree weighing 1.75 tonnes. A timber library is also displayed in the museum. Further, an entire range of useful non-timber forest products such as gums and resins, oils, tars, rubber and lacks are also on display.

A rich collection of fruits and seeds, barks, roots, leaves, fibres, bamboo and canes are also found. Forest engineering models such as timber stacking and seasoning, forest brides and timber houses are kept here besides a working model of ropeways used for timber extraction.

For those into entomology, a collection of useful and harmful insects associated with forests are kept on display alongside species of butterflies and moths.

More than 300 samples of rock, minerals and soil formation from all over the world are housed here. Notable among them are different kinds of mica found in nature. Articles manufactured from forest products including bobbins, shuttles, picker arms and diapers besides carved items are also on display.

The museum will remain open between 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on all days except Sundays and holidays. Further information could be obtained by contacting the museum, telephone no: (0422) 245 0307.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Staff Reporter / Coimbatore – May 02nd, 2015

As a loyal Tamil soldier, he gave his life in Italy

Amazing Feats, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, World Opinion

by K R A Narasiah

I recently had a chance meet ing with Durailingam who told me the story of his father, Subedar Subramanian of the Madras Sappers regiment. Subramanian lost his life trying to protect others during mine clearing operations in Italy in World War II. Subedar Subramanian was awarded the then instituted George Cross; the first Indian to get the bravery award for noncombatants.

India was drawn into the Second World War without its ond World War without its consent and in spite of stout protests from the national leaders. Madras SapParis pers’ 4th division was put into operation in the Italian campaign landing in Taranto in December 1943. Two companies of the Madras Sappers joined action 100 miles south of Rome where they were mainly engaged in clearing the mines. In all, about 50,000 Indian troops fought in Italy. Half of them were injured and one in ten lost their lives.

The Madras Sappers were sent there after the allies invaded on September 3, 1943 the Italian mainland, with the invasion coinciding with the armistice made with the Italians who then joined the allies’ side. The objective of the attack was to draw the German troops from France, where an offensive was planned. The allies were facing the Gustav line (German winter defensive position) which extended from the river Garigliono in the west to Sangro in the east. Very soon the allies had occupied the ridge overlooking the river.

The Sangro River Cremation Memorial near Torino di Sangro is one of the memorials erected in Italy to officers and men of the Indian forces whose remains were cremated in accordance with their faith. In that memorial Subedar Subramanian’s name is inscribed.

The details recorded in the Sangro river memorial reads, “Subramanian, son of Kannayiram and Thangammal holding the rank of Subedar, with official Number 14069 from the unit Queen Victoria’s Own Madras Sapper and Miners and husband of Shanbgammal of Keelvodivakkam, Chengalpet, India.”

The details show that while Sub Subramanian was operating the mine detector, with Lance Naik Sigamani behind him marking his path with a white tape, there was a small explosion. The subedar realized immediately that the Lance Naik had stepped on an anti-personal mine and within the next four seconds the canister would be thrown into the air and explode causing great damage. Without the slightest hesitation and knowing that this would be fatal, Subramanian hurled himself over the mine knocking the Lance Naik aside. The force of the explosion was neutralized by the Subedar’s body which caused his death. With this action he saved the lives of his comrades, especially Lt Young, who was next to him.

In a rare gesture of gratitude, touching tributes were paid to 5,782 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives fighting for Italy against the fascist forces, on Oct 5, 2007 in Rome. The Memorial Gates in London have been constructed in the Constitution Hill, to pay tribute to the brave men of WW II. Sub Subramanian’s name is included in the memorial list.

Durailingam who did well for himself in his business wanted to perpetuate his father’s memory by giving the ancestral home in his village Keelottivakkam in Kanchipuram district to the Army to run an Ex Servicemen Health Service (ECHS) polyclinic. Durailingam has erected a statue (bust) of his father at the site with a cenotaph. Unfortunately, stating no reasons, the Army has withdrawn from this place after using the same for seven years in 2013. Durailingam says he has no idea why the Army withdrew. He says since he is getting older his only wish is to donate this land of over 700 sq yards to the Army so that the polyclinic can be set up.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / April 15th, 2015

Rare Architectural Symbols Discovered in Temple Near Srirangam

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
The symbols discovered at the Shiva temple in Alundur | Express
The symbols discovered at the Shiva temple in Alundur | Express

Tiruchy : 

Rare symbols have been discovered at the Lord Shiva temple at Alundur in Srirangam taluk in the district recently denoting the Brahmadarshana symbol, Manduka Diagram and Sulastone with plinth.

According to research team scholars headed by T L Subash Chandra Bose, the symbols were found at Shiva temple in Alundur as well as in some of the surrounding areas.

The scholars claimed they also found a trident with a base with the Tamil letter ‘Ka’ inscribed on the right side of one of the pillars in the temple. The symbols could date back to the 16th century BC, they said. Elaborating the significance of the Tamil letter ‘Ka,’ Subash Chandra Bose said that the alphabet refers the first true letter and also the first numerical number ‘one’. The root of letter ‘Ka’ is a cross between vertical and horizontal lines referred to as the ‘causation’.

“Ka represents Lord Param or Brahman (not Brahma). Lord Param is also symbolically indicated as an oblong with a cross at the center. It is a four square matrix (Pecaka diagram) which you can see in the Sulastone at Keezhakuruchi village stating about the Siva Temple — Jambukeswarar Akhilandeswari — in Thiruvanaikoil near Srirangam where the tree, the spider and an elephent attained moksha,” he said.

The Mayamata — the temple architectural manual — says the centermost four square in the 64 square matrix is the heart zone, where the Ka — Lord Param or Brahmam dwells. An interesting reference found in Chaandogya Upanishad (verses 4.10.4-5). Ka and Kha is Brahman. Below is the explanation or interpretation of it, he  said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / April 04th, 2015

Remembering the life and times of Pachaiyappa

Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders
Towering personality:The institutions founded in Pachaiyappa Mudaliar’s name came into being more than 40 years after his death —Photo: The Hindu Archives
Towering personality:The institutions founded in Pachaiyappa Mudaliar’s name came into being more than 40 years after his death —Photo: The Hindu Archives

The name Pachaiyappa Mudaliar conjures up an image of an educationist blessing a student, and reminds one of a slew of educational institutions bearing the name. Actually, neither the educational institutions nor the Trust founded in his name were in the picture during his lifetime, or even some 40 years after his death.

Pachaiyappa Mudaliar, who made a fortune as a dubashi  (interpreter) during the reign of the East India Company in the country, died in 1794. The foundation stone for the first residential school for caste-Hindu students was laid only in 1846. The money, bonds and jewels, all worth over Rs. six lakh, were used for charitable activities and various temple rituals, before the arrival of George Norton, the attorney general of Madras Presidency.

The biography of Pachaiyappa Mudaliar, who lived only 40 years, has been re-issued after a gap of 104-years. It reveals the life and times of the man and the legal battles, attempts to appropriate his properties and the efforts taken by Mr. Norton to create Pachaiyappa’s Trust and a slew of educational institutions, including a key college Chennai. The biography was penned by Komaleeswaran Pettai (now Pudupettai) Seenivasa Pillai, the first trustee of the Trust who worked together with Mr. Norton in establishing the educational institutions.

Now,Va.Mu.Se. Andavar, associate Tamil professor at Pachaiyappa’s College, has re-published the book, written in a quaint style that was probably in vogue about a 100 years ago.

“This is probably the first authentic material on the life of Pachaiyappa Mudaliar,” says Mr. Andavar.

Pachaiyappa Mudaliar, born in Periapalayam in 1754, lost his father even before his birth. His mother, Poochi Ammal, reached Madras with her children in search of a livelihood and was supported by a renowned dubashi , Powni Narayana Pillai, who took Pachaiyappa Mudaliar under his wing.

Pachaiyappa Mudaliar had a meteoric rise as a dubashi and his richness can be explained by the fact that he lent Rs. one lakh to the king of Thanjavur. But the book tells us Pachaiyappa Mudaliar, who married twice, could not lead a peaceful life, as his wives fought over the inheritance of his fortunes. He died in Thiruvaiyaru in 1794.

“Mr. Norton interpreted the will of Pachaiyappa Mudaliar in such a way that the money utilised for temple charities and feeding of the poor was used to launch educational institutions,” says Mr. Andavar, pointing out that Rs. one lakh was set apart for resumption of temple charities, but it could not be continued because of subsequent legal battles.

The biography of Pachaiyappa Mudaliar, re-issued after 104 years, throws light on the creation of the Trust and educational institutions that bear the dubashi’s name

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by B. Kolappan / April 06th, 2015