Ajanta Paintings, an overview

Tamil Heritage Group
invite you and your friends
for a two-part serial talk on
the Paintings of Ajanta
i. Ajanta Paintings, an Overview
by S. Swaminathan on 2-1-2010 (Saturday)
ii. Textile Heritage of Ajanta
by Bhushavali Natarajan & S. Swaminathan on 6-2-2010 (Saturday)

Venue (for both the programmes):
Vinobha Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vdyalaya Complex
58, Venkatanarayana Road, T. Nagar, Chennai – 600 017

About the talks:
The mural paintings of the Ajanta caves are unique. As for as the sculptures or temple architectures are concerned, more than one can compete with for the first position, but the paintings here have no parallels.
Covering a span of about eight centuries, one can see the beginning of the Ajanta art tradition that reaches maturity and becomes baroque before declining. This Buddhist art is the earliest in India and was also the inspiration for religious art in India and the entire south and south-east Asia.
Though religious in nature, the paintings here reflects the secular society too, which is their special feature. For example, the textiles that we find on the walls of Ajanta are truly amazing. We find that a host of very sophisticated techniques, like sectional warping, tie-dyed yarn, block printing, ikat – single & double, bandhni etc, have been in vogue as can be seen in the paintings and the tradition, which is at least fifteen centuries old is still living.
We are planning to celebrate this truly indigenous religious art and the textile heritage of Ajanta in two sessions. The first would be an overview of the paintings to be given by S. Swaminathan. In the second session, he will be assisting Bhushavali, a textile designer, to showcase the textile heritage of the Ajanta paintings. In the second talk there would also be an exhibition of modern textile that is found in Ajanta to show the continuity of this heritage.
A preview of the first presentation on the 2nd of January can me mad by accessing umapdkt@gmail.com using password swaminathan.

RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre -
gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam -
badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
TK Ramachandran, IAS : TN Slum Clearance Board -
tkramachandranias@hotmail.com; 99406-41144
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836)
S. Swaminathan: Marg Constructions -
sswami99@gmail.com; 2467 1501

Submerged Ancient Cities on the TamilNadu Coast

Tamil Heritage Group - Chennai
 
You and your friends are cordially invited to 
the programme for the month of December
which features a talk, titled
 
Submerged Ancient Cities on the TamilNadu Coast
by
S Balasubramani B+
 
on 5th December (Saturday) 2009 at 05.30 pm
at Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Campus,
58 Venkatanarayana Road,
T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017

                                                           -------------

About the speaker and the programme
Thiru Balasubramani B+ is a very different kind of person, whose enthusiasm for his work and for his culture could be infectious. Starting with maintenance of numerically-controlled machines to searching for lost cities along the Tamil coast is a long way. He crossed boundaries of professional fields with ease and crosses social barriers with equal felicity. He is also highly creative, not in art, but in approaching matters of human interest. His interaction with the Tamils around when he travels outside Tamilnadu, which he has been doing very frequently and his establishing rapport with the coastal community and learning form the people, are a few examples of his novel approach. That he could attract the attention of Orissan royalty and the resulting friendship with it is another dimension of his personality. Adding B+ to his name to make people apprecte the need for blood donation is born out his this creative trait of his.
Let us only site a few aspects of this multifaceted personality. A graduate of physics, through self-study a bachelor in engineering and also in library science, his moving to Orissa in 1989 was a turning point for him, for it kindled his interest on the Orissan culture. He felt that the region had a long and intensive cultural intercourse with the Tamil culture. Researching into the Kalinga-Tamil relationship was the beginning which became his passion for research into the Tamil history. His weekly news-letter, Kalinga-Tamil, exploring the 2500-year of Tamil history in Orissa and vice versa, became an excellent medium for a healthy discourse on the subject. This, as well as, almost all his research is self-funded, and this indicates his passion for knowledge, for research and for regional understanding.
His present research area could be a new beginning of ‘Culture through Geography, as his calls his work. Going beyond the emotional approach to the existence of Lemuria, Balasubramaniam B+, in addition to the study of literary references, conducts experiments on the Tamil coast making use of the traditional knowledge of the coastal community. He claims, which is important, that the fishermen have a lot to contribute towards our knowledge of kadal-kol and how transgression and regression in the Tamilnadu coast had affected history, society and livelihoods.
He has been regularly interacting with research students, orienting the students for developing import substitutes in earth science equipment which will be ultimately help for archaeologist to redefine our cultural heritage.
His another favourite ‘pastime’ is ‘capacity building’, creating a number of groups who participate in socially relevant activities, for which, he says, he is ‘carrying Gandhi along with him’.
A little more detailed information about the speaker is included as an attachment. 
The programme will be anchored by Nirmalaa Shrethar, a member of the Tamil Heritage group.


RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
TK Tamachandran, IAS : TN Slum Clearance Board - tkramachandranias@hotmail.com; 99406-41144
S. Kannan: (98414-47974)
S. Swaminathan: Marg Constructions - sswami99@gmail.com; 2467 1501

Neurology and a Passion for Arts

Tamil Heritage Group - Chennai
 
You and your friends are cordially invited to 
the programme for the month of November
which features a talk, titled
 
“Neurology and a Passion for Arts”
by
Dr Vilayanur Ramachandran
 
on 7th November (Saturday) 2009 at 05.30 pm
at Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Campus,
58 Venkatanarayana Road,
T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017

Kindly note the change in time:
The programme starts at 5-30 PM instead of 5-00 PM

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About the speaker
Dr. Vilayanur Ramachandran, neurologist has a Ph.D from Trinity College, Cambridge. A grandson of the brilliant lawyer Alladi Krishnaswami Iyer, he is currently Director of the Centre for Brain and Cognition at UCSD, California. Well known for his research on ‘phantom limbs’ and ‘synaesthesia,’ he is a man with a wide range of interests, and is trustee of the San Diego Museum of Art.
Dr. Ramachandran and his colleagues at UCSD have also studied the connection between mirror neurons and autism. Mirror neurons were first discovered by Iaccomo Rizzolati, and Dr. Ramachandran feels that this discovery is as important for psychology as the discovery of DNA for biology.
What exactly are mirror neurons? “It is the mirror neurons that make us feel empathy when we see someone being hurt. I call them the ‘Gandhi’ neurons. The loss of mirror neurons in autistic children may explain why they can’t empathise. Even monkeys have mirror neurons. A mirror neuron fires in the brain of a monkey when it sees another monkey reach for a peanut,” says Dr. Ramachandran.
Dr. Ramachandran proposes ten universal laws that explain the neural basis for the appreciation of art. One of the laws is the peak shift principle. Dr. Ramachandran explains: “Why do we like a Chola bronze of a woman? Take the typical female form. Subtract from it the typical male form. What is left? Big breasts, narrow waist and flared hips. Exaggerate these, and the result is the Chola bronze. When you see it, you don’t protest that it is anatomically impossible for a woman to look like this. You only say, “It is beautiful.” I call this exaggeration the peak shift principle. From the typical female posture, the typical male posture is subtracted, and the difference amplified, to get the Tribhanga posture of the female bronze. Or take a caricature, where some features are exaggerated, and yet you like the caricature. Again peak shift principle.” Bacon’s words
“I think Indian art is a very evolved form of art. Long before Picasso and the Cubists, our Indian sculptors knew intuitively, what is pleasing in art,” says Dr. Ramachandran.
Can his laws of art be tested? “Sure,” says he.
Dr. Ramachandran loves Indian art and Carnatic music. He even likes old Tamil film songs. Any favourites? “All the songs in Maya Bazaar. My sons love ‘Kalyana samayal saadam’ song and I do too!” he chuckles.
[This is an edited version of a profile of VS Ramachandran written by Suganthy Krishnamachari in The Hindu dated 18-7-2008, and for the full article the link is http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2008/07/18/stories/2008071851530400.htm]

Summary of talk:
VS Ramachandran's contention is that a great art is not just replication of reality. Pictures taken with camera cannot equal a work of art. Otherwise, an artist has no place in our society.
Ramachandran will talk about
  • How eyes and brain perceives an image?
  • How an artist creates an exaggeration of the image which triggers our neural circuits so much that we perceive more from that art than from observing reality
Ramachandran will present some rules of thumb, on what 'titillates' the brain, whereby our brains derive pleasure while watching art.

RSVP: A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
TK Tamachandran, IAS : TN Slum Clearance Board - tkramachandranias@hotmail.com; 99406-41144
S. Kannan: (98414-47974)
S. Swaminathan: Marg Constructions - sswami99@gmail.com; 2461 1501

Classical Arts and Human Heritage

Tamil Heritage Group - Chennai
 
You and your friends are cordially invited to 
the programme for the month of October
which features a talk, titled
 
“Classical Arts and Human Heritage”
by
Thiru V. P. Dhananjayan
 
on 3rd October (Saturday) 2009 at 05.30 pm
at Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Campus,
58 Venkatanarayana Road,
T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017

Kindly note the change in time:
The programme starts at 5-30 PM instead of 5-00 PM

---------------

About the speaker
Padmabhushan Dhananjayan ranks very high in the field of Bharatanatyam. Right from his impressionable age, he threw himself heart and soul for the pursuit, later the propagation of this great art form. Ages 70, he is not only an excellent exponent of Bharatanatyam, but also, along with his wife, Shantha, is a teacher, a creative choreographer and a cultural ambassador.
Born in Kerala and nurtured at Kalakshetra, Dhananjayan learnt vocal music and mridangam as well. He has obtained his academic degree in politics and economics.
The dance school, Bharatakalanjali, is a premier institution and imparts all-round training in dance. Dhananjayan does not stop with drawing his themes from epics and Hindu mythology but goes out to such realms as Christianity and Buddhism, besides exploring contemporary and socially relevant themes.
His deep involvement with ‘Adventures of Mowgli’ and ‘Jungle book’ is a crown jewel in his long and distinguished career as a classical dance artiste.
Among the numerous awards he has received Nrtyachoodamani, and of the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi are noteworthy.
First and foremost Dhananjayan is a rasika, who enjoys others’ performances and expects his students too the same.

RSVP: A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
TK Tamachandran, IAS : TN Slum Clearance Board - tkramachandranias@hotmail.com; 99406-41144
S. Kannan: (98414-47974)
S. Swaminathan: Marg Constructions - sswami99@gmail.com; 2461 1501

Traditional Performing Arts in Education

Tamil Heritage Group - Chennai

Programme for the month of September
will feature an illustrated talk, titled
“Traditional Performing Arts in Education”
by
Ms V. R. Devika
of Aseema Trust
on 5th September (Saturday) 2009 at 05.30 pm
at  Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Campus,
58 Venkatanarayana Road,
T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017

Kindy note the change in time:
The programme starts at 5-30 PM instead of 5-00 PM


About the programme
Traditional performing arts have always been means of communication of messages. V. R. Devika shares the lessons she learnt from the forms of Bharathanatyam, Therukoothu, Devarattam and other forms for use in teaching in the classroom.

About the speaker
V.R.Devika began her career as a school teacher in 1973. In 1985 she joined the Madras Crafts Foundation as Director (Education and Culture) and brought traditional performing arts in assembly demonstrations and workshops for over two hundred schools. She continues as a member of advisory council of Madras Craft Foundation and its project Dakshinachitra heritage centre. She is a regular contributor to leading publications. In 1996, she founded The Aseema Trust to link performing arts and education and the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi through teaching of the spinning on the Charkha to school students and others in a project called "Spin a Yarn". She is also the cultural coordinator of Prakriti Foundation.

RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre -
gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam -
badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
TK Tamachandran, IAS : TN Slum Clearance Board -
tkramachandranias@hotmail.com; 99406-41144
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836)
S. Swaminathan: Marg Constructions -
sswami99@gmail.com; 2461 1501

Silappadikaram -A Travel Epic

The Tamil Heritage Group

is proud to present a talk on
Silappadikaram -A Travel Epic
by
Thiru B.Sivakumar
on 1st   August (Saturday) 2009 at 05.30 pm
at  Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Campus,
58 Venkatanarayana Road,
T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017

Kindy note the change in time:
The programme starts at 5-30 PM instead of 5-00 PM

Silappadikaram – A travel epic
Silappathikaram has been presented focussing on various dimensions like dance, drama, paintings, music and so on. Now, Siva Kumar is trying to bring this as a graphic novel. While working for this, he had gone through a journey along the places where the events in the epic took place. He explains it with the current images of the locations of the journey. Also he describes the way and need of making the graphic novel. The talk will be supported by visuals.
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Thiru B.Sivakumar:
B.Sivakumar is a filmmaker, and has won prestigious Indian National Award and International Awards from London, New York, Canada for his short films. His work is focused on children and environment. Currently he is running an animation studio, working on animation movies and comics.
 
RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre -
gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam -
badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
TK Tamachandran, IAS : TN Slum Clearance Board -
tkramachandranias@hotmail.com; 99406-41144
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836)
S. Swaminathan: Marg Constructions -
sswami99@gmail.com; 2461 1501

Researching for Aalavai (Madurai)

The Tamil Heritage Group

is proud to present a talk on

Researching for Aalavai
by
Thiru KRA Narasiah

on 4th July (Saturday) 2009 at 05.00 pm
at Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Campus,
58 Venkatanarayana Road,
T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017

About the talk
While researching for writing the book Aalavai, many important points were further studied in addition to actually inspecting the areas of study. In the process some new facts were unearthed along with checking the facts in cases of already known facts.
The studies involved in actually getting to know about early inscription by the author going with Sri Iravatham Mahadevan and learning in situ the basics of Tamil Brahmi script. For this Mamandur a place near Chennai was selected. The next targeted place was Mangulam having oldest and a very important inscription, but due to health conditions of Sri Iravatham this had to be dropped. The help of Archaeologist Santhalingam was taken and Thirupparankunram, Azhagar Koil and Aanaimalai were seen. Days were spent along with the Archaeologist, in Madurai temple, Mahal, Thiruvadavur, Thirumohur and  Ovamalai.
The research proved very fruitful and studies were undertaken in Fort Museum where old documents were pursued. The libraries that assisted in the work were Roja Muthiah Research Libraray, Dr. U Ve Swaminathier Library, Madras Institute of Development Studies and district libraries. Rare books could be studied especially in RMRL. Similarly, Ma. Ve. Pasupathi of U Ve S libraray provided exciting information.
Author's effort to get to Philadelphia Museum of Art did not fructify, though he had traveled to the US: however he could get some information on Madanagopalaswami temple from the museum's site. Author's friends from Singapore and the US did help him to a great extent.
From good friends in Coimbatore and some in Chennai the author could get certain points clarified in Tamil Sangam literature. The bibliography in the book shows the vast number of secondary sources that were used for references.
In the lecture the author shall be dealing with the studies and shall also expect participation of the audience.

Profile of Thiru Narasiah
  • Profession: Retired Chief Mechanical Engineer of Vizag Port.
  • Former Consultant to the World Bank for the Emergency rehabilitation Programme of Kingdom of Cambodia.
  • Former ADB consultant, Visiting Faculty AMET University for MBA Programme. (Terminal Management and IMO related subjects)
  • Education: Marine engineering. I. N. S. Shivaji Naval Engineering College Lonavla
  • Writing: over 100 short stories in Tamil (9 as Muthirai kathai in Vikatan.)
  • 3 collections of short stories published, first one for 6 years as non-detailed study for UGs in Madura College. Second won 2 awards. Third won TN State award.
  • Non fiction. Kadal Vazhi Vanikam a treatise on sea trade from 3rd century BC –won TN State award.
  • Madrasapattinam the story of Chennai from 1630 to 1947. Won TN State award and Chidambaram Meyyapan award
  • Sadharana Manithan Biography of Chitti Sundararajan.
  • Madras (Tracing the history of Madras from 1369) in ENGLISH
  • Overcoming Challenges the story of 125 years of the Port of Chennai with S Muthiah (English)
  • Author of the book on the history of Madurai (Aalavai)
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RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198
Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566
TK Tamachandran, IAS : TN Slum Clearance Board - tkramachandranias@hotmail.com; 99406-41144
S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836)
S. Swaminathan: Marg Constructions - sswami99@gmail.com; 2461 1501

A close look at the panel of Episodes from Sundarar's Life

The Tamil Heritage Group
is proud to present on the second talk on the
The Chola Paintings in the Brihadisvara Temple in Tanjavur:
In appreciation of Chola mural: A close look at the panel of Episodes from Sundarar's Life
By Thiru PS Sriraman (ASI)
On 6-6-09 (Saturday) at 5 PM
at Vinobha Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Campus,
58, Veankatanarayana Road, T. Nagar, Chennai - 600017
The talk would be for about 60 minutes.
You and your friends are cordially invited.

Synopsis
In appreciation of Chola mural: A close look at the panel of Episodes from Sundarar's Life
This lecture will closely look at a panel which must have been cherished by the king himself. The choice reflects the desire of the king to be treated on par with Sundarar who is the cherished friend of the God. Even otherwise this panel throws out a plethora of information on the contemporary life. We will be looking cl0sely at this panel.
The earlier talk on 2-5-09, titled, In appreciation of Chola murals - Commingling of emotions was well attended and appreciated. The substance of the talk was:
Calambur Siavaramamurthi, succinctly captures the greatness of the Chola murals. “If expression has to be taken as the criterion, by which a great art has to be judged, it is here in abundance in these Chola paintings..". If Chola art is to be accepted as a great work of art, it needs to be seen by all. How many of us had the privilege to be allowed into the dark circumambulatory passage around the sanctum of the Brihadisvara temple, where the paintings are found? Perhaps very few. Of course, all could not be allowed in there due to paucity of space and delicate condition of the murals. Therefore, ASI launched a documentation project to photograph these murals so that exact photographic reproductions can be kept on view. The task turned out to be a tough one with many challenges to surmount. This presentation will highlight how the task was accomplished and how now we are in a position to realise Sivaramaurthi's words are true.
About the speaker:
Thiru Sriraman has a post-graduation in Ancient History and Archaeology and a PG Diploma in Archaeology, and is presently an Assistant Superintending Archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of India. He has rich experience in his field. He has conducted several excavations at Banahalli, a proto-historic site in Karnataka, Gingee, a medieval site and Mahabalipuram, an early historical site. He has explored several regions in Karnataka and Tamilnadu leading to the discoveries of several important archaeological sites. He was instrumental in the reorganization of the sites museum at Lothal, a Harappa Civilization site, the Fort Museum, Fort St George Chennai including the new gallery on Prints.
He has conceived, designed and organised the Interpretation Centre at the Brihadisvara temple, Tanjavur and conceived, co-ordinated the Documentation of Chola Murals at Brihadisvara temple at Tanjavur and the Surface features at Kailasanatha temple, Kanchipuram.
Thiru Sriraman has published a number research papers in reputed journals, has designed and conceived several brochures and handouts for monuments of South India and is currently enganed in writing a book on Chola murals.

RSVP: A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198; Badri Seshadri: Kizhakku-p-padippakam - badri@nhm.in; 98840-66566; TK Tamachandran, IAS : TN Slum Clearance Board - tkramachandranias@hotmail.com; 99406-41144; S. Kannan: Bank of Baroda - 2498 5836; S. Swaminathan: Marg Constructions - sswami99@gmail.com; 2461 1265

In appreciation of Chola murals - Commingling of emotions by PS Sriraman


The Tamil Heritage Group is proud to present two talks on the
The Chola Paintings in the Brihadisvara Temple in Tanjavur
By Thiru PS Sriraman
Talk 1: In appreciation of Chola murals - Commingling of emotions
On 2-5-09 (Saturday) at 5 PM

and
Talk 2 : In appreciation of Chola mural: A close look at the panel of Episodes from Sundarar's Life
On 6-6-09 (Saturday) at 5 PM
Both talks would be for about 60 minutes.
You and your friends are cordially invited.


On the talks
Talk 1: In appreciation of Chola murals - Commingling of emotions
Calambur Siavaramamurthi, succinctly captures the greatness of the Chola murals. “If expression has to be taken as the criterion, by which a great art has to be judged, it is here in abundance in these Chola paintings..". If Chola art is to be accepted as a great work of art, it needs to be seen by all. How many of us had the privilege to be allowed into the dark circumambulatory passage around the sanctum of the Brihadisvara temple, where the paintings are found? Perhaps very few. Of course, all could not be allowed in there due to paucity of space and delicate condition of the murals. Therefore, ASI launched a documentation project to photograph these murals so that an exact photographic reproductions can be kept on view. The task turned out to be a tough one with many challenges to surmount. This presentation will highlight how the task was accomplished and how now we are in a position to realise Sivaramaurthi's words are true.

Talk 2 In appreciation of Chola mural: A close look at the panel of Episodes from Sundarar's Life
This lecture will closely look at a panel which must have been cherished by the king himself. The choice reflects the desire of the king to be treated on par with Sundarar who is the cherished friend of the God. Even otherwise this panel throws out a plethora of information on the contemporary life. We will be looking cl0sely at this panel. 

About the speaker:
Thiru Sriraman has a post-graduation in Ancient History and Archaeology and a PG Diploma in Archaeology, and is presently an Assistant Superintending Archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of India. He has rich experience in his field. He has conducted several excavations at Banahalli, a proto-historic site in Karnataka, Gingee, a medieval site and Mahabalipuram, an early historical site. He has explored several regions in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu leading to the discoveries of several important archaeological sites. He was instrumental in the reorganization of the sites museum at Lothal, a Harappa Civilization site, the Fort Museum, Fort St George Chennai including the new gallery on Prints.
He has conceived, designed and organised the Interpretation Centre at the Brihadisvara temple, Tanjavur and conceived, co-ordinated the Documentation of Chola Murals at Brihadisvara temple at Tanjavur and the Surface features at Kailasanatha temple, Kanchipuram.
Thiru Sriraman has published a number research papers in reputed journals, has designed and conceived several brochures and handouts for monuments of South India and is currently enganed in writing a book on Chola murals.

Ananda Coomaraswamy: An Introduction by K.R. Satchidanandam

TAMIL HERITAGE GROUP
A Movement for Preservation, Documentation and Sensitisation of our Heritage
This month’s programme will feature a talk on
Ananda Coomaraswamy: An Introduction
by K.R.Satchidanandam
on 4th April (Saturday) 2009 at 05.00 pm

Ananda K Coomaraswamy
Ananda K Coomaraswamy was born in Ceylon (now Srilanka) on August 22nd of 1877 as the only son of Sir Muthu Coomaraswamy and an English lady Elizabeth Clay and grew up in England. He was a multi-facetted researcher, scientist, linguist, expert on culture and art, philosopher, museum curator and author.
“Study of the traditional arts of the Orient and the Occident to the philosophia perennis is the personal history of this man.”

A prolific writer, who has authored 95 books, contributed 1815 articles to anthologies and periodicals on arts, architecture, sculpture, metaphysics etc.

AKC can be studied from various perspectives, namely, as art historian and philosopher during the formative period of first forty years and as metaphysician and social critic in the later part of his life.

K. R. Satchidanandam
A writer and speaker he specialises in the cultural history of India as outlined by Ananda K Coomaraswamy in his writings. He has been visiting places of cultural importance, museums and monuments of archaeological importance in India to have a firsthand knowledge and experience. He has presented papers in seminars and lectured in small groups in London, Paris and Halle. He has built a personal library of AKC books and articles.
He has ten books to his credit and has been intimately connected with Tamil magazines of importance.
‘The Wit and Wisdom of Ananda Coomaraswamy’, a book of quotations of one thousand pages taken from more than ten thousand pages of AKC’s writings is awaiting publication for want of financial help. The book is arranged subject-wise and in chronological order giving sources.