culture at cross-roads? – the International conference held at the University of Madras on March 14th and 15th 2024 (3)

culture at cross-roads? – the International conference held at the University of Madras on March 14^th and 15^th 2024 (3)

Simultaneous session held on 15-03-2024: Simultaneously, a parallel technical session was held online at 10:30am which was chaired by Prof. Mallika Begum – assistant professor at SIET. There were four presenters in total, concentrating on the topics –

1. Healthcare among Adiyan and Mavidan Community[1],
2. Challenges faced by Tribes post covid,
3. Exploring collecting honey practices among the Alu Kurumbas[2] and
4. Cultural influences on Childhood Obesity[3].

As usual, for a regular listener, reader and researcher of these topics could easily remember, recognize and locate the sources (books, papers etc) of the last 50 or even 100 years. A simple Google search also shows many secondary sources with the same or similar titles. About the tribes, the Europeans have taken undue importance and studied with bias. Many times, they have tried to compare these Indian tribes with that of “the last tribes,” proceed and conclude accordingly. Therefore, the paper-presenters should see al tleast, they are mentioning them in their reference or acknowledging otherwise. It is impossible to mention and acknowledge all the sources and references, but, since the plagiarism check is done, such softwares always point to “copying”!    

Rangoli Competition held concurrently: Concurrent to both the sessions, the Rangoli Competition was held with the participation of seven teams from various colleges judged by Prof. Brinda – Ambedkar Law College. It was followed by Saritha Bowmick’s [4] Endowment Lectureship where Dr. B. Bindu– Former Professor and Head of the Department of Anthropology, Kannur University was invited as the speaker. She discerned her thoughts on the anthropological research post Covid-19 and on the vulnerables where the former experienced the rise of the digital era and the latter experienced the influence by the anthropologists on restudying social flexibility, intimacy and sexuality.

Valedictory function: The second day of the conference came to an end with the Valedictory session. The Welcome address was given by Dr. Prabhu Kumari Vanama – the co-convener and organizing Secretary of the Conference. It was followed by a report on the Two Day – International Conference by Aishwariya Wincy- 1st year MA Anthropology student, the University of Madras. Presidential address was given by Dr. M.P. Damodaran, Head of the Department of Anthropology and Convener of the conference.

• The session moved on to the Chief Guest Address by Prof. CMK Reddy – President of the TN Medical Practitioners Association and the Chairman of the Linguistic Minorities Forum of Tamil Nadu.
• Following which Dr. G.J. Sudhakar who is a Professor Emeritus from CPR Institute of Indological Research was awarded with the Life Time Achievement Award and later, discoursed his words of wisdom with the audience.
• Prof. Pareshwar Sahoo – Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Utkal University was called to distribute the certificates to all the presenters, winners and participants.
• The Valedictory Address was given by Prof. K.S. Sarwani – Director at IQAC, TN Ambedkar Law University.  

The Valedictory session was concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Ms. M. Rajam – Guest Lecturer, Department of Anthropology, University of Madras followed by a photo session.

How the papers were presented?: The papers delved upon the selective nature about the theme, area, survey, number of subjects etc., and thus have been with limitations. Though, the researcher acknowledges such “limitations,” they come to conclusions, making them universal, that is not accepted. Moreover, at that time, they bring many popular myths into their narratives to suit their conclusions. As every individual varies, no two individuals could be compared and equated. Though individual differences are accepted, they are identified as couple, family, group, society, nation, country and so on. Where, the coming together individuals have to bury their differences and co-operate to work for a common cause for the same entities of couple, family, group, society, nation, country and so on. That is how, they have been functioning since time immemorial or from Paleolithic to modern periods.

Research has to be updated even at crossroads: As the students, researchers and other young scholars have decided to present papers doing PhD, completing PhD and working as lecturer, Assistant Professor etc., they have to prepare papers to suit the topic and theme of the conference and they are ready or prepared to answer the questions asked. In such academic proceedings and processes, there cannot be any concession, compromise and adjustment. As in the modern times, many facilities are available at the University level, the students have to update their knowledge by reading the recent books and research papers on the subject. They have conducted field studies and get new details and they cannot rehash or manipulate the previous or already published data and information.

Topic may have to be explicit and straight: Had the topic “culture at cross-roads?” been “culture at cross-roads? In India,” specifically, then, the paper presenters and speakers would have come to their topic straight away, after all, here, Indians have to deal with their issues in the changing times. Much time need not be spent by the speakers and paper presenters to explain it again and again without reaching any consensus. As pointed out, it has been a Western concept dealing with the meeting of different people groups, in Europe where, the migration of people was taking place at different periods. As they were believing in race, racism, racialism, segregation, exclusion and other principles, they had been at crossroads to place them at a particular place. About silk-road, maritime-route, trade routes etc., the scholars are well aware of..

Scientific, unscientific, unscientific, pseudo-scientific and so on: There is a difference between scientific and humanities subjects, where research is carried on. The experiments carried on in science and technology have been universal, producing the same results and being accepted universally. The experiments conducted by the arts, humanities and other non-science and technology subjects have been selective, choosy and discriminating covering a small portion, area, issues or few issues of a community or society, at a particular place and time and so on. Though, they too nowadays, they claim that they follow “scientific methodology” etc., they cannot reproduce the same result every time. In fact, in history, history writing, and historiography, the concerned experts openly accept that they do not require any objectivity in their writings.

Note: I waited for many days, requesting the organizers to send the details, photos etc., to complete the blogging. As I have not received as on 24-03-2024, I post the concluding part with the available materials today, i.e, 24-03-2024.

I thank Dr Prabhu Kumari Vanama for sending photos today – 24-03-2-24 and they are also included.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

20-03-2024

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[1] The Mavilan are a Scheduled Tribe of the Indian state Kerala. They inhabit the hill country of the Kannur and Kasaragod districts. They speak Tulu as their primary language and also have knowledge of Malayalam.

Rohisha, I. K., Tessy Treesa Jose, and Jyothi Chakrabarty. “Prevalence of anemia among tribal women.” Journal of family medicine and primary care 8.1 (2019): 145-147.

[2] Sathyanarayanan, C. R., and Nirmal Chandra. “The lost landscapes and livelihood: a case study of the Alu Kurumba of Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.” J Anthropol Survey India 62.2 (2013): 821-50.

Jayaprakash, Prabhakar. “Uunending cultural and economic colonization: the case of Alu Kurumba Adivasi women” Perspectives in Social Work 30 (2015): 1.

[3] Kumanyika, Shiriki K. “Environmental influences on childhood obesity: ethnic and cultural influences in context.” Physiology & behavior 94.1 (2008): 61-70.

Chatham, Rebecca E., and Sandra J. Mixer. “Cultural influences on childhood obesity in ethnic minorities: a qualitative systematic review.” Journal of Transcultural Nursing 31.1 (2020): 87-99.

[4] Sharit Bhowmik 1948-2016; https://www.ces.uc.pt/emancipa/cv/gen/sharit.html

What historians and archaeologists could learn from the installation of 108 feet high Adi Shankara statue at Omkareshwar (1)

What historians and archaeologists could learn from the installation of 108 feet high Adi Shankara statue at Omkareshwar (1)

About the 108 feet high Adi Sankara statue: About the construction of the religious complex and the installation of Adi Shankara statue, there had been news coverage for the last one year from July 2022 onwards when the work was entrusted to L&T. However, the people movement started in 2018 itself for the collection of “Astadhatu” for the construction of the statue. The Construction had started on a 108-feet statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Madhya Pradesh’s Omkareshwar, one of the most revered Jyotirlingas in the country, and was likely to be completed by September when it would be unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just ahead of Assembly elections in the state. The news reports carried the story in their own way. Thus, one daily characteristically reported that “….it is believed that Adi Shankaracharya travelled to Omkareshwar in the heart of India as a child from his birthplace Kerala and attained knowledge at the sacred place. The statue will likely reflect this stage of his life. Checking up on the status of the project, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan travelled to the site in Omkareshwar along with his family members to welcome Swami Chidanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan Haridwar, Anandmurti Gurumaa along with Manoj Muntashir, Advaita Kala, Markand Paranjape and others.” Thus, here also, one has to keep politics, ideology and biased reporting aside and look into historicity, historiography and related subjects for the benefit of the students of history and archaeology.

Adi Shankara sojourn to be researched historically and archaeologically: How a boy or youth could have travelled to different parts of India learning under Gurus, debating philosophers with others, establishing mutts and settling down to depart away at the age of 33, should also to be thought of in historical perspective. Travelling by foot, bullock cart, horse etc., covering thousands of kms, staying at different places, carrying out daily routines, but following his austerities strictly are also to be studied. Incidentally, “Advaita” is studied, discussed and debated even today, not only in India, but also in many world universities. It is well known that philosophy had been part and parcel of Indian wisdom acknowledged by all world philosophers. In fact, several Greek philosophers reportedly sojourned to India to learn philosophy. Of course, one Indian philosopher reportedly self-immolated during a debate to prove that his spirit lives forever, but, only his body was destroyed. Therefore, the influence of Adi Shankara can be felt in the philosophical, logical, religious, ethical and moral arenas.  The Buddhists had been so envious, resentful and spiteful enough to dub him as “Praccanna Buddha” (the masqueraded Buddhist).

The Ekatma Dham project: Apart from the statue, named the ‘Statue of Oneness’, the project includes an Ekatma Dham. In total, the project will cost the Madhya Pradesh government more than Rs 2,000 crore, out of which the statue is worth Rs 200 crore. While the entire project will be completed by 2026, the statue is expected to be ready by August / September this year, 2023. The Ekatma Dham, to be made on Onkar Parvat, will include a state-of-the-art grand ‘Advaita Lok’ museum, which will show the life journey of Adi Shankaracharya. A public information centre, Nauka Vihar and Vedic Gurukul will also be part of the Ekatma Dham. Once the project is complete, around 3,000 people will be able to attend laser and sound shows through the ‘Shriyantra’. A ‘Sharda Peeth’ will also be designed and materials for the same will be brought in from Kashmir. The teachings of Guru Adi Shankaracharya will also be taught here.

L&T received order for the construction of Adi Shankara statue and the complex – July 2022[1]: Larsen & Toubro, which completed the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, is working on the ‘Statue of Oneness’ as well[2]. It has also been allotted the construction work of the Ram Temple in UP’s Ayodhya[3]. Their press release declared[4], “Further, the Business has secured an order for the Engineering, Procurement & Construction of the ‘Statue of Oneness’ –

• The Statue of Adi Shankaracharya at Omkareshwar in District Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh from the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd[5].
• The Statue will be bronze cladded and will be placed on a lotus petal base made of stone, which will be placed over a RCC pedestal[6].
• The sole height of statue from base i.e., from the paduka till the apex will be 108 feet[7]. The project is scheduled to be completed in 15 months.”[8]
• The statue and the Shankar Museum will be set up on an area of 7.5 hectares on the Mandhata mountain. A gurukulam will be developed on the other side of the Narmada River in a 5-hectare area and Acharya Shankar International Advaita Vedanta Sansthan will be developed in a 10-hectare area[9].
• The Buildings and Factories (B&F) business of L&T Construction had secured an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) order from the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Limited to construct a statue of Adi Shankaracharya[10].

Spiritual tourism complex: L&T Project Director MV Satish told News18 that 70% concrete work has been completed and the remaining will be completed at the earliest. The concrete base of the statue will be around 28 metres with heavy use of steel and bronze. The design and architectural work has been allotted to Delhi-based firm CP Kukreja. “The project is so sacred that it has changed the way we work. I have seen the positive changes as soon as I got on board with ‘Ekatma Dham’,” said Dikshu Kukreja, chief designer of the project. Officials say that after the Mahakaal Lok in Ujjain, the project in Omkareshwar should also be seen as a mega investment project which will yield good returns. While the project is being completed, the state government will also work to connect Ujjain, Omkareshwar and nearby cities into one spiritual tourism circuit. As per further details, the portrait of Adi Shankaracharya has been made by renowned painter Vasudev Kamat and the sculpting has been done by accomplished sculptor Bhagwan Rampure.

How the prototype was prepared, metals contributed for the statue etc: The selection appropriate picture with which the prototype was prepared has been carried on meticulously engaged with experts from the respective fields:

• Sample statues of Adi Shankaracharya prepared by artists from Mumbai, Gujarat and some other states have also arrived at the Acharya Shankar Cultural Unity Trust’s office located in the Tribal Museum of Bhopal[11].
• The Trust had assigned the task of making sample statues to 20 artists, out of which 10 had made the statues and presented to the Trust[12]. 
• The statue had been prepared on the basis of the picture of Adi Shankaracharya made by the Trust. 
• One of these sample images has been selected and the 108 feet statue built accordingly.
• The statue has been made of Ashtadhatu, a mixture of copper, tin, zinc, lead and other metals 85:5:5:5 collected from 23 thousand panchayats of the state[13]. 
• Weighing 100 ton statue with 50 feet artistic based statue has been installed, facing the south direction i.e. towards Omkareshwar Jyotirling and Narmada[14].
• Famous painter Vasudev Kamat prepaed a picture of the child of 11 year old Shankaracharya.
• Well-known sculptor Bhagwan Rampure is preparing the idol under his guidance.

Thus, every step has been taken care of, to get the best out the contributors.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

22-09-2023

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[1] News18, Work on 108-Feet Tall Adi Shankaracharya Statute Begins at Omkareshwar; PM Modi Likely to Inaugurate in Sept, Reported By: Nikhil LakhwaniCNN-News18, Last Updated: MAY 08, 2023, 10:38 IST,New Delhi, India

[2] https://www.news18.com/india/work-on-108-feet-tall-adi-shankaracharya-statute-begins-at-omkareshwar-pm-modi-likely-to-inaugurate-in-sept-7748239.html

[3] L&T Press Release, L&T Construction awarded (Significant*) contracts for its Buildings & Factories Business, July 2022.

[4]  https://corpwebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/media/46897/2022-07-11-lt-construction-awarded-significant-contracts-for-its-buildings-factories-business.pdf

[5] Economic Times, L&T bags contracts for data center construction, ET Online, Last Updated: Jul 11, 2022, 11:06 AM IST.

[6] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/property-/-cstruction/lt-construction-bags-contracts-for-data-center-service-providers/articleshow/92795745.cms?from=mdr

[7] Business Standard, L&T Construction wins order under its buildings and factories biz, Last Updated : Jul 11 2022 | 2:32 PM IST

[8] https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-cm/l-t-construction-wins-orders-under-its-buildings-and-factories-biz-122071100261_1.html

[9] Free Press Journal, Indore: Assembling of parts of the Idol will begin soon, Staff Reporter, Updated: Thursday, January 19, 2023, 01:16 AM IST

[10] https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/indore-assembling-of-parts-of-the-idol-will-begin-soon

[11] Bhaskar, Special preparations for the statue to be installed in Omkareshwar: 10 sample statues of Adi Shankaracharya made by artists of Mumbai and Gujarat came to Bhopal, out of these 3 were selected, Bhopal, 2021, Author: Rahul Sharma

[12] https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/bhopal/news/108-feet-statue-to-be-installed-in-omkareshwar-10-sample-statues-of-adi-shankaracharya-made-by-artists-from-mumbai-gujarat-came-to-bhopal-out-of-which-3-were-selected-129106415.html

[13] Bhaskar, 108 feet tall statue of Adi Shankaracharya: The statue, weighing 100 tons, will be installed at a height of 50 feet, Uday Mandloi Khandva, 2022.

[14] https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/khandwa/news/100-ton-statue-will-stand-on-50-feet-high-base-130449982.html

The proceedings of the National seminar Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India or Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints held at Acharya Nagarjuna University on March 1st and 2nd 2023 (2)

The proceedings of the National seminar Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India or Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints held at Acharya Nagarjuna University on March 1^st and 2^nd 2023 (2)

Objectives of the Seminar: There are serious studies available purely either on Buddhism or Bhakti movement and anti-caste traditions. But, it is noticed that deliberations on continuity of non- Vedic and anti-caste intellectual tradition, initiated by Buddha in another forms and their variations are absent. In view of absence of comparative studies on Buddha and other anti-caste philosophers during lhe subsequent period, present seminar is proposed. Present Two Day National Seminar is aimed at serious deliberations on the impact Buddhist egalitarianism on other sectarian religious faiths after the defeat of Buddhism in India. And it is also intended to identify the basic differences and resemblances of all anti-caste sectarian religious movements.

Sub- themes: The subthemes and others are also listed out for illustrative purpose:

1. Buddhism — Buddhist anti- caste Philosophy

2. Vajrayana/ Siddha cults in South India

3. Sectarianism — Medieval Bhakti movements and anti-casse philosophy

4. Virasaivism- Basaveswara, Akkamahadevi, Panditaradhya

5. Vaishnavism —Ramanuja, Brahmanaidu

6. Pothuluri Virabrahmam- Vemana

7. Nasarayya- Dunna Iddasu- Yadla Ramadasu

8. Sufi saints

9. Tukaram- Sant Ravidas- Chokkamela

10. Meerabai- Kabir- Bhima Boi

11. Any other relevant theme Submission of Papers

01-03-2023 (Wednesday): The seminar was inaugurated with a prayer to Buddha sung by the Buddhist students followed by the prayer song of the University invoking Acharya Nagarjuna. The seminar convener Ch. Swaroopa Rani invited the dignitaries, the guests and delegates, introducing the Mahayana Buddhist centre and explaining the theme of the seminar. Prof Rajasekar, VC, talked about the theme with examples. Then, P. D. Satya Paul delved upon the communal Hinduism criticizing P.V. Kane who carried on the Maxmueller’s project, Dr S. Radhakrishan for his opinion about Buddha (Buddha’s movement was a protestant type of reformative Hinduism) and Swami Vivekananda for perpetuating caste. He was suggesting about a “proto-sramanic” tradition before IVC, based on which, the Buddhism could have been evolved. Dr Ramabhadra Kumar pointed out delving upon some books that caste problem has been spread to all other countries, now working in 33 major countries. He emphasized the consolidation of caste, annihilation of caste and dissolution of caste. K. S. Chalam, the key-note speaker spoke about many issues and they have been printed in the “abstract” booklet. K. S. Chalam was sarcastically talking about “Brahminical virus” / brahmin diaspora virus spreading in the “Diaspora” countries throughout the world, it is more dangerous than Carona virus and so on.

Brahmin  diaspora virus – S.K. Chalam: First, Ramabadhrakumar was telling that caste has been there in 33 countries of the world and then, S. K. Chalam mentioned about “Brahmin diaspora virus,” affecting and it is more dangerous than Carona virus. Incidentally, such idea has been floated by the left-oriented media in the internet[1]. The Wire came out with a story[2] that “Communal Virus Injected into Diaspora, and the Culture is Growing” and claimed that it was published originally somewhere[3], giving a link. That link contains another story[4], “Supreme Court Pulls Up Union Govt & TV For Allowing Hate Speech; Communal Virus Injected Into Diaspora And The Culture Is Growing.” So they could find virus suddenly comparing it with caste. S. K. Chalam directly christened it as “Brahmin diaspora virus”! As usual, it is not known, why “Khastriya diaspora virus,” “Vaisyha diaspora virus,” and “Sudra  diaspora virus,” are not found or located in their narratives and discourses. Talking about “hate speech,” they are producing more “hate speech” and it is not known as to whether they understand or not.

“Abstracts” of papers: The “Abstracts” contain 35 papers and full papers of key-note and valedictory addresses.

Speaker / paper presenter	Title of the paper	Page no.
K. S. Chalam, Key-note address	Impact of Buddhism on Anti-caste Egalitarian movements in India[5] (Key note address)	1-19
M. Koteswara Rao	Buddhism:  a philosophy of social transformation.	25
Pannasami	Caste system in Theravada Buddhist perspective.	26
M.M. Vinodini	Akkammadevi’s literature that called for women’s emancipation
P. D. Satya Paul	Title – not known, not listed / included in the “Abstracts” He spoke twice for nearly two hours….
K. V. Ramakrishna Rao	The Sectarian encounters between the Buddhist and Jain faiths during the Medieval period for commercialization and communalization	34-35
Yadhava Raghu	Dasa movement and its impact on Telugu villages bordering Karnataka: a case of Pyalakurthy village, Kurnool district[6].	37-38 46
John Weasley	Siddha cults in South India.	57
Sugandha	The Buddhist perspective of social sratification	5 8
N. Kanakaratnam	Caste frevenge on adigas and Malas.	60
Eluri Harshavardhan	Egalitarian ideals of Buddhism: A repository of counter discourse in Andhradesa
E. Sudha Rani, Valedictory address	Women Bhakti saints’ voices: the radical anti-caste movements in medieval India.	20-24

Afternoon first session, the following papers  were presented:

Speaker / paper presenter	Title of the paper	Page no.
K. S. Chalam[7], Key-note address	Impact of Buddhism on Anti-caste Egalitarian movements in India[8] (Key note address)	1-19
M. Koteswara Rao[9]	Buddhism:  a philosophy of social transformation.	25
Pannasami[10]	Caste system in Theravada Buddhist perspective.	26
M.M. Vinodini[11]	Akkammadevi’s literature that called for women’s emancipation

M. Koteswara Rao was talking about caste, case system, Ambedkar etc., in a general manner and explaining the contemporary conditions. He was stressing that the process of thesis, anti-thesis and synthesis should take place.

Pannasami’s paper perplexed some audience because, he was explaining about, “Caste system in Theravada Buddhist perspective,” while the seminar was about how Buddhism could pave way for anti-caste movement. That is Buddhism could not have any type of social discrimination, when it was against caste system.

The last paper presenter was virtually speaking as if she was giving a literary discourse (like pattimanram in the Tamil context) and spoke for one hour explaining the poetic nuances in Telugu, repeating points again and again. Though, he was narrating other stories, she  did not mention that according to legends, she was a beautiful woman with long tresses and Kaushika, the Jain ruler of the region, fell in love with her. However, some accounts suggest that despite Kaushika’s proposal to marry Akka, the latter not only refused, but when forced, renounced her family, discarded her clothes and left the village covered only in her long tresses. Thus, here also, the Jaina-Saiva conflict is known. In other versions, it is claimed that the wedding did actually take place but on the conditions that the king would neither touch Akka without her permission nor hinder her worship. However, when Kaushika failed to honour the agreement, Akka left his palace leaving behind all his presents, including her clothes and acknowledged Lord Chennamallikarjuna as her sole husband.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

05-03-2023

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[1] The Wire, Communal Virus Injected into Diaspora, and the Culture is Growing, Sidharth Bhatia, 23-09-2022.

[2] https://thewire.in/communalism/communal-virus-leicester

[3] Pratik Kanjilal, Supreme Court Pulls Up Union Govt & TV For Allowing Hate Speech; Communal Virus Injected Into Diaspora And The Culture Is Growing, September 22, 2022

[4] https://www.theindiacable.com/p/supreme-court-pulls-up-union-govt?utm_source=email

[5]  Though his paper has been printed in about 20 pagers, it is not complete and of course, he accepted that it was only “abstract,” and he would send his full paper.

[6] His paper has been printed twice as shown – this shows the mechanical way of preparation of “Abstracts” without going into the details.

[7] Prof. Chalam held the position of –

• Vice- Chancellor, Dravidian University, Kuppam (AP) (2005);
• Member, Planning Board, Govt. of M.P., (2002-04);
• Founder Director, UGC Academic Staff College, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (1987-2005);
•  Director, Swamy Ramananda Tirtha Rural Institute, Pochampally, Hyderabad (1997-98);
• Professor of Economics, Andhra University (1990-2005).
• He is on several Committees as Hon’ble Chairman, Member such as UGC, NCRI, A.U etc.
• He was Search Committee Member for selection of Vice- Chancellor for Telugu and Telangana Universities in Andhra Pradesh.

[8]  Though his paper has been printed in about 20 pagers, it is not complete and of course, he accepted that it was only “abstract,” and he would send his full paper.

[9] Associate Professor, Department of English – Krishna University, Andhra Pradesh.

[10]  Research scholar, Centre for Mahayana Buddhist Studies, ANU, AP.

[11] Associate Professor, Department of Telugu, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa-516005., Andhra Pradesh

The proceedings of the National seminar Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India or Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints held at Acharya Nagarjuna University on March 1st and 2nd 2023 (1)

The proceedings of the National seminar Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India or Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints held at Acharya Nagarjuna University on March 1^st and 2^nd 2023 (1)

Started on February 28^th and reaching Vijayawada on March 1^st, 2023: The National seminar on “Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India,” was conducted at the Acharya Nagarjuna University on March 1 and 2, 2023. Many papers were presented by the academicians delving upon the subject matter mainly interpreting that Buddha or Buddhism was responsible for the creation of anti-Bakti movement. Though, I have come to the ANU for many times to attend the seminars and conferences for presenting papers, now I am visiting here after five years, for various reasons. January 2023, I might have come, but, my paper was not accepted on last minute[1]. Anyway, now I received a mail that my paper had been accepted. So I started preparing to come. As usual my friend Dr Madhusudhana Rao also prepared to come, but, suddenly he was not feeling well because health problem and he had to stay back. With much difficulty, I started travelling towards Vijayawada on 28^th February 2023. Now, as I am a Guest Faculty, I had to apply for leave and attend the seminar. Unusually, the Pinakini Express was late and I could reach Vijayawada by 11.50 PM instead of 9.20 PM. When I reached the Guest House of the ANU, it was 12.40 PM and I had to write March 1, 2023, as the next day started. The following paragraphs contain details that are reproduced from the brochure issued for the seminar.

The Centre for Mahayana Buddhist Studies[2]: The seminar was held under the auspices of The Centre for Mahayana Buddhist Studies. It was established in 1982 under the scholarly guidance of Padma Vibhushan Prof. K. Satchidananda Murthy, the inspiration of late Prof. R. Subrahmanyam, who extensively excavated the Nagarjunakonda site in 1960 and the then External Affairs Minister Dr. P.V. Narasimha Rao. His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuk inaugurated the Chair of Mahayana Buddhism and donated an endowment fund. The UGC grant had provision for constructing a Chaitya model building to house the Centre. Padma Vibhushan Prof. K. Satehidananda Murthy is the Honorary Director of the Centre. Teaching Programme: In accordance with the guidelines provided for the Centre by the National Committee of Experts, the Centre lays focus on the multidimensional study of Buddhism in general and Mahayana Buddhism in particular. In 1993, Master degree in Philosophy with emphasis on Buddhism was started. I find many Buddhist students from Myanmar and other countries are studying there.

About Acharya Nagarjuna University: The Name, Acharya Nagarjuna University, is quite significant in that the greatest Buddhist preceptor and philosopher Acharya Nagarjuna founded a University on the banks of river Krishna some centuries ago, and made it great of centre learning, attracting a large number of teachers and students from distant parts of the world[3]. The present Acharya Nagarjuna University is not very far from the hallowed spot, as it derives its moral and intellectual sustenance from Acharya Nagarjuna. In 1967, Andhra University started a Post-graduate centre in Nallapadu, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, as an Extension Centre to cater to the needs of higher education of the people of this region. It is in the fitness of things that a university should grow from this Centre to fulfill the desire of the people of this belt. Accordingly, Nagarjuna University came into being in August 1976. Acharya Nagarjuna University since then has grown into a large University with 37 Academic Departments. Its jurisdictions was extended to two districts now having over 400 affiliated colleges offering Under-Graduate, Post- Graduate, Engineering, Education, Law, Pharmacy and Oriental Languages courses. Now it has 55 Post-graduate teaching — cum — research courses on the campus, while around 70 affiliated colleges offer P.G. Courses. The theme of the seminar is explained as follows:

The non-Vedic Sramanic tradition[4]: The contemporary interest in Buddhism is based on its social appeal. Within India Buddhism has appeared as an alternative to the hierarchical and in egalitarian ideology and Hinduism. Buddhism is viewed as a system which was more sympathetic to oppressed groups and social solution to the problem of caste oppression. After a pioneering work of Dr. Ambedkar on the social philosophy of Buddha some scholars like Eleanor Zelliot (1992), Uma Chakravarthi (1996), Rhys Davids (1997), Gail Omvedl (2003) and others worked on the social dimensions of Buddhism. With the social revolution of Buddhism, an alternative culture to the Vedic or Brahmanical culture also evolved in all parts of India. Buddha emerged from the non-Vedic Sramanic tradition and opposed the superstitious belief system and encouraged scientific enquiry.

Medieval Virasaivam and its impact: Though Buddhism was defeated and erased physically from its birth place, it is surviving in several forms of faiths and cults. Buddhist thought has been perpetuating in the form of local religious Traditions and customs. The rise of different sectarian religious movements during the medieval and late medieval periods in India carried forwarded the anti-caste and non-Vedic philosophical notions of Buddha. Those sectarian leaders rejected Vedic Brahmanism and propagated egalitarian ideas within the framework of the religion. Siddha Tradition in South India was evolved out of Buddhist school of Vajrayana was more prevalent among the lower strata, strived to attain equality in religious sphere. Many Siddha cult centres of present Andhra and Telangana states including Siddhavatam, Siddeswaram, Siddula Guttalu etc. are the live examples for this phenomenon. The medieval text (14-15^th CE) in couplet form ‘Navanadha Charitra’ written by Gourana also mentioned about the Siddhas.

The followers of Virasaivam: Virasaivism advocated the notion of equality among all human beings irrespective of caste, creed and gender. Basaveswara, the chief profounder of Virasaiva religious movements is known for his social reforms. Palkuriki Somandha, the Saivate poet also reflected Virasaiva anti- caste philosophy through his works including ‘Panditaradhya Charitra’ and ‘Basavapuranam’. Akkamahadevi, a woman saint and radical challenged all sorts of hegemony including patriarchy has been emerged out of this sectarian movement. A peculiar community by name Jangama among different lower castes has been emerged from the followers of Virasaivism.

How Virasaivam paved way for the upliftment of lower-caste people: Similarly, Vaishnavism also propagated social equality during the medieval period. Ramanuja had admitted lower castes into his Vaishnava fold and mentored them as Maladasu and Madigadasu. Dasari community has been emerged among the lower castes as one of the influential inter sub-caste, maintained some sort of high rank as priestly class within lhe same group. Brahmanaidu, a medieval social reformer and staunch follower of Vaishnava cult has organized inter-dinning among different communities and gave priority to Mala Kannamadasu, the army commander from lower community. Evolution of Chennakesava cult among the lower castes witnesses for this phenomenon. It s interesting to note that the priests of the Chennakesava temples were appointed from the Mala community.

Non-Brahmin Bakti saints: Saint Ravidas, Kabir, Chokkameta, Bhima Boi and others form North India also framed anti caste and non-Brahmin philosophy. A woman saint Meerabai and her Bhakti also considered to be an anti-hegemonic philosophy. Similarly there are many social reformers in Telugu speaking regions. Philosophers from Sudra communities such as Pothuluri Virabrahmam, Yogi Vemana and others revolted against the hypocrisy of Brahmanism in Andhra. There are many spiritual leaders at local level including Nasarayya, Dunna Iddasu, Yadla Ramadasu and others rejected the Vedic Brahmanism and promoted spiritual democracy. There are Sufi saints emerged from Muslim background also propagated equality among all sections of the society. Dargas are the centres acted for social harmony, integrated all communities and strived for the unity among Hindu and Muslim groups.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

05-03-2023

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[1]  Earlier, I used to get the circular by post and based on that paper preparation used to get started. After submitting and getting confirmed about presentation, tickets would be booked and journey planned.  Nowadays, the information about the seminar is sent only to the selected friends. It is posted in the social media one day earlier or on the same day, thereby virtually stopping others, particularly, even willing persons from other states cannot come. Actually, nowadays, I do not understand what has started taking place or going on in conducting seminars or conferences, though, I have been attending more than 650 in the last 40 years different parts of India. May be some sort of “politics,” personal likes-dislikes and such other factors may have started playing role.

[2] Based on the ANU website – https://www.nagarjunauniversity.ac.in/deptdet.php?id=1023

[3] Based on the ANU website- Acharya Ngarjuna University- A profile – https://nagarjunauniversity.ac.in/profile.php; more details – history, location, emblem etc., can be read from website.

[4] A śramaṇa (Sanskrit: श्रमण, or samaṇa (Pali: 𑀲𑀫𑀡; Chinese: 沙門 or 沙门, shāmén) means “one who labours, toils, or exerts themselves for some higher or religious purpose” or “seeker, one who performs acts of austerity, ascetic”. During its development, the term came to refer to several non-Brahmanical ascetic religions parallel to but separate from the Vedic religion. The Śramaṇa tradition includes primarily Jainism, Buddhism, and others such as the Ājīvika. The śramaṇa religions became popular in the same circles of mendicants from greater Magadha that led to the development of spiritual practices, as well as the popular concepts in all major Indian religions such as saṃsāra (the cycle of birth and death) and moksha (liberation from that cycle).The Śramaṇic traditions have a diverse range of beliefs, ranging from accepting or denying the concept of soul, fatalism to free will, idealization of extreme asceticism to that of family life, renunciation, strict ahimsa (non-violence) and vegetarianism to permissibility of violence and meat-eating.

The Idol-theft, temple desecration and illegal export of antique objects in Andhra and Telangana: Is it a political, politicized or organized racket? (1)

The Idol-theft, temple desecration and illegal export of antique objects in Andhra and Telangana: Is it a political, politicized or organized racket? (1)

Anti-temple attitude, iconoclasm and Idol-theft etc in Andhra and Telangana: Recently, there have been many instances of temple attacks, desecration and demolitions taking place in Andhra and Telangana. Generally, the people of Tamilnadu think that their State has been prone to such temple-demolishing, idol-breaking, icon-lifting gangs working with political iconoclasm, anti-Hindu ideology and anti-iconogenesis morbid mentality. But, such psyche has been exhibited in Andhra and Telangana also is surprising and shocking. The mindset and ideology have been same as observed by the media and the Police. Thus, how Telugu-speaking people have been infested with a sinister psyche leading to iconoclasm has to be analyzed. How these stolen idols are passed on hands, whom they are sent, what is the destination, and finally who pays for such operations and such other questions are also to be answered. As for Andhra and Telangana are concerned, there has not been any systematic study of such event involved.

How deserted, mutilated and desecrated Idols are found at many remote places?: There have been thousands of temples situated across the state in the remote places and villages. For the people of those areas, they have been witnessing them for many generations.  The nonagenarians, octogenarians and other elders could give more details also. Many times, in local newspapers, there have been routine and stereotyped claims that a broken sculpture or inscription was found in a remote village, nearby temple, or in the paddy field and so on. Most of them have been there and known to local people and the visitors. However, some enthusiastic people take photographs and publish such stuff in the local newspapers, as they might be knowing some friends working there. Ironically, many times, for the same sculpture or inscription, there have been more than one “discoverer” and news reports appearing one after another or after a gap of some months.

Idol-theft started rising since 1980 in Andhra- Hundreds of Idols not traceable: During the 1980s, there was a sudden increase in thefts of Panchaloha idols and the spectre is once again returning with three cases of arrest in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh recently[1]. Thus, it is clear that such activities have been going on since 1980 i.e, more than 40 years. In other words, they have been organized, planned and controlled. In one instance, three Panchaloha idols of deities Varadarajula Swamy, Sridevi and Bhoodevi from an ancient temple at Rajole in Kuravi mandal in Warangal district which were stolen on March 15, 2016, are now in safe custody but hundreds of idols from the temples across the two Telugu-speaking States are missing for years[2]. According to the Telangana State Department of Archaeology, about 38 idols from across Telangana and AP were recovered between 2008 and 2013 but these idols are the ones that the police hand over to the department once a case is resolved, for safe custody. According to experts, there are close to 100 precious idols that date back to over 300-400 years that come under “untraceable category”. This implies that such Idols were passed over to the regular smugglers and exporters of antiques and it is evident that the Andhra-Telangana gangs have nexus with them.

CAG Report on the Idol-theft and Telugu speaking people: Stolen idols data from 2014 till date is being corroborated, said an official and on condition of anonymity confirmed that there are at least a couple of cases reported every month  (may be 1000 in a year). According to a CAG report in 2013, 91 idols of archaeological importance in India had been missing or untraceable. Telangana State Department of Archaeology director NR Visalatchi says, “The police hands over the stolen idols to the department for safe custody. The department has its limitations in protecting the idols.” It is estimated that the illegal trade of art and artefacts is estimated to be worth Rs 40,000 crore a year. No doubt that the Tamil Nadu government started a special Tamil Nadu Police Idol Wing which is in constant touch with the US Homeland Security. But, the position of Andhra and Telangana is not known.

Many Idol-theft cases not reported: Though many precious idols go missing from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh every month and rarely get reported, there is no such wing in either State. So, it is shocking to know why such a wing has not been formed since 1950, when the Andhra state was formed first in India. In the garb of ‘researcher’ and ‘antique collector’ smuggling of international antiquities goes on which requires capital and connections. Such is the volume of stolen idols that earlier this year in June, the US government returned over 200 stolen idols to India during PM Modi’s visit. But there are thousands of idols stacked away in museums and private collections the world over. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, over 4,000 items were stolen from Indian temples just in a span of three years between 2010 and 2012 and in the past two decades about 2,913 idols and antiquities have been traced in museums. K Padmanabha, Deputy Director, Telangana Department of Archaeology says, “We recovered two Lord Rama, two Lakshmana and one each of Sita and Radha Devi idols that were stolen from Parlapalli village and date back to 400 years. There are scores of idols strewn across the State that need protection.” The expression “seen across” can be noted and understood. The fact is that the remote temples are regularly ransacked for the purpose and evidently the people of those areas must have been aiding and abetting the gangs foor monetary benefits,

Modus operandi of the Companies exporting the stolen Idols: The modus operandi is complex as companies buy and sell objects among themselves to hoodwink officials before forwarding them to auction houses and collectors. Objects are first shipped to Switzerland which is considered safe because of the free trade zone. Auction houses claim that they buy the objects from Swiss soil and not from India. Dealers have a deep network connecting remote areas of the country. The modus operandi used by smugglers is to prepare a copy of the looted antique and submit it to the Archaeological survey; once the tag of ‘non-antiquity’ is granted, the certificate is used to tag to the genuine antique and ship it out of the country. Smugglers use a paperless money remittance system (hawala) which is virtually untraceable. Ghiya from Jaipur and Subhash Kapoor, a US citizen (who is now in Tamil Nadu jail), have been involved in smuggling idols out of India for decades. Subhash Kapoor who owns Art of the Past, an art gallery in New York, is accused of smuggling more than $100 million worth of stolen art from India.

So here, the same questions are raised in the context of Andhra and Telangana: A careful analysis of events clearly points to an agenda, systematic plan and organized operations orchestrated by some unknown people of these two Telugu-speaking states.

1. Who hoodwinks the officials and deal with such antiques, selling and buying easily?
2. If Objects are first shipped to Switzerland which is considered safe because of free trade zone, how it is possible crossing so many authorities?
3. The modus operandi used by smugglers is to prepare a copy of the looted antique. Then, how such a duplicate Idol is manufactured, who has such highly sophisticated technology?
4. Producing moulds and dies, the alloy (of panchaloha), furnace and other equipment? They cannot be handled by ordinary people.
5. Who is granting the tag of ‘non-antiquity’?  [like F.J.A.Flynn case, many archaeologists, historians and others must have been involved]
6. Whether such person issuing such certificate has been unaware of the facts or is a part of the game-plan aiding and abetting?
7. How the duplicate is substituted[3] inside the temple?
8. How is it possible without the knowledge of so many of the temple, transport, logistics, handlers and others?
9. Having known a or conditioned so, how and who are making them silent and the whole issue is muted?
10. At the point of export, how the invoice, packing slip, Bill of lading and other documents are filed, who is getting such clearance?
11. After export, at the point of import (destination country), how are they cleared?
12. After crossing all hurdles, how they are again getting that antiquity, so that they can be auctioned, sold and bought?

Thus, the top persons are having contacts at destination countries to carry out the job, as per their agenda. As the profits have been in crores, they could easily bribe the intermediaries and operators with lakhs and thousands..

The statistics of temple desecration, looting etc in Andhra and Telangana: Under the TDP government, 163 temple offences were reported in 2015, 139 in 2017, 123 in 2018 and 177 in 2019, when the government transitioned to the YSR Congress Party.

Year	No. of desecration cases	Remarks
2015	163	As these have been reported and obviously – officially declared figures,the actual figures could be more, as the “untraceable” ones are also to be added with these figures.
2016	?
2017	139
2018	123
2019	177
2020	228

In 2020, a year that saw an uproar following the chariot burning at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Antarvedi, there were 143 alleged temple offences. In spite of the political overtones, and accusations against each other party and other vested interests, the fact remains that temples have been desecrated, idols stolen and many arrested. Thus, the investigations and motives clearly point to Idol-theft connected with the antique smuggling passing hands.  The political façade is perhaps thrusted to divert the issue and suppress the facts. Police are understood to have achieved some progress in the probe into attacks on temples in the state by tracing the mobile phone calls made by some of the suspects to some politicians[4]. When contacted, Director General of Police D Gautam Sawang, however, said it was too early to comment on a possible political conspiracy behind the spate of attacks on temples[5]. Let some incidences be studied in the context, to understand the intricacies.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

18-09-2022

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[1] HansIndia, Missing idols cause concern in Telangana, AP T P Venu, 14 Sept 2016, 9:28 AM IST.

[2] https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-09-14/Missing-idols-cause-concern-in-Telangana-AP/253744

[3] This is impossible without the knowledge of the priest, as he could immediately identify that the Idol has been replaced or changed. Then, the temple servants and workers of all categories, officials and nearby people can know the fact within time.  Thus, the gangs must have either cajoled or threatened the concerned persons and allow them to carry on such unlawful acts.

[4] Indian Express, Andhra Pradesh temple attacks probe points to political angle: Sources, Published: 07th January 2021 08:50 AM  |   Last Updated: 07th January 2021 10:42 AM.

[5] https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/jan/07/andhra-pradesh-temple-attacks-probe-points-to-political-angle-sources-2246680.html

A National Seminar held on “Understanding the Cultural Focus on Thiruvarur Region Heritage of Tamil Nadu – Focus on Thiruvarur region” on March 17th and 18th 2022 at the Central University of Tamil Nadu – CUTN, Thiruvarur (2)

A National Seminar held on “Understanding the Cultural Focus on Thiruvarur Region Heritage of Tamil Nadu – Focus on Thiruvarur region” on March 17^th and 18^th 2022 at the Central University of Tamil Nadu – CUTN, Thiruvarur (2)

The seminar hall

17-03-2022 (Thursday): As usual I got up by 3.45 am, but, I could not do anything here. I could listen to peacocks screaming, as they have been plenty here in and around. Mayiladurai – the place where peacocks dance is also nearby[1]. There was no internet connection also, though it was a Central University. Of course, nowadays all have a wireless internet connection that has become the order of the day. Thus, I was going through the papers and materials that are there in my laptop. Till 8.00 am nobody was there to tell anything about the seminar, inaugural function etc. No arrangement was made for coffee. We came down to the ground floor and saw people going here and there. One person was carrying a steel-flask with tumblers going to VIPs rooms, evidently serving them at their rooms. I saw Dr Rajendran coming after walking. We were talking for some time. I learned that has father Sri M. K. Narayanan aged 91 enjoying life with grandchildren and great-grandchildren also. I am happy to know about him, as he was the principal of our Pachaiyappas’ College.

The banner and backdrop

2020 circular/ brochure

The seminar is held after two years: It was to be held in March 2020 and then perhaps getting on postponed due to pandemic reasons[2].  Thus, as pointed out from January 2022, it was postponed to March 2022. Meanwhile, the faculty, persons involved with the seminar and others were also changed. Thus, with God’s grace, now the delegates have gathered here and the seminar is conducted. I am also happy to see, meet and talk with many old friends and others after two or three years.

Registration of delegates………………….A paper presenter from Tirupati, AP

Lighting the lamp

10.30 am – Seminar hall: All were sitting, perhaps expecting the arrival of the VC of the CUTN, Prof. M. Krishnan. As usual, the lighting of the lamp also started with the VIPs sharing each wick and with shoes and without shoes. The Tamil-Mother praising song was sung with the clear instruction that all should stand. During the facilitation of the VIPs, I could notice that the VC had been generous enough to offer his shawl to a student! And of course, he did it last also, i.e, first the guests, a good gesture noticed.

Tamil Mother Hail song sung…….

Tamil Mother Hail song sung…….all stood up

10.43  to 10.7 am: Then, the VC started describing the importance of Thiruvarur and pointed out that had the delegates come a day before i.e, on 15-03-2022, they could have witnessed the “Great Chariot Festival”. Tiruvarur Chariot festival, known in Tamil as Tiruvarur Therottam, is a historical event that still follows the same rituals and traditions associated with the Thyagaraja Swamy temple, Tiruvarur, in Tamil Nadu. The Lord Veethividangar (வீதிவிடங்கர்) now called as Thiyagarajaswami (Shiva) comes out of the massive ancient temple, with his consort Kondi (கொண்டி) (Parvathi) to bless the devotees who always comes to visit him in his abode, one of the world’s biggest chariots. And this chariot was constructed by Kothanars and it is Asia’s biggest chariot of 95” high,  weighing about 350 MT. After mentioning many temples, he pointed out that Kodikkarai is very near to Sri Lanka.

Importance of Vedaranyam, Kodokkarai etc: Kodiakkarai, also called Point Calimere or Cape Calimere, is a low headland of the Coromandel Coast, in the Nagapattinam district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Cape is located about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) south of Vedaranyam in the delta region of the Cauvery River, and marks a nearly right-angle turn in the coastline. Vearanyam is also associated with the Salt Satyagraha conducted by Rajaji. The antiquity of the area is evidenced by the Kodi Kuzhagar temple built during the Chola period, and a Chola lighthouse, which was destroyed in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Kodiakkarai has been designated as a Ramsar site since August 2002. Point Calimere is also associated with the mythological Hindu epic, the Ramayana. The highest point of the cape, at an elevation of 4 metres (13 ft), is Ramarpatham, meaning “Rama’s feet” in Tamil. A stone slab on the Cape bears the impressions of two feet and is said to be the place where Rama stood and reconnoitred / watched over Ravana’s kingdom in Sri Lanka, which is 48 kilometres (30 miles) to the south of the Point. It is also mentioned by Kalki in his historical novel Ponniyin Selvan.

10.58 to 11.11 am  Prof Bhagabana Sahu[3], HOD History Department, CUTN:  he pointed out that Tamil Nadu has retained her distinctive cultural heritage from the rest of India and Tamil is the oldest classical language. It had an impact on the South East Asian region through maritime activities. R. Balakrishnan in his book, “Journey of a Civilization from Indus to Vaigai” stated the continuity of the culture and it can be traced back to c.500 BCE, Sangam Age.

11.12 to 11.17 am Louis Mushary: He introduced the dignitaries mentioning their qualifications, papers and books published, positions occupied, their management skills etc. The VC of CUTN left, as he was having the UGC meeting.

11.18 to 11.44 am Prof N. Rajendran, Former VC, Alagappa University: He distinguished the IVC, Mauryan and Asokan script, stone at etc with that of the Sangam literature and period. Tamilagam was not secluded from India and the Sangam literature has a pan-Indian identity. P. T. Srinivasa Iyengar points out in one chapter in his book giving many examples from the Sangam literature (the gold of Nandas hidden under the Ganges)  and also from Ramayana and Mahabharata….The inscriptions of Asoka and Kharavela mention about the Tamil kings. In fact, the Kharavela Hatigumpa inscription gives the date of the Tamil kings matching with the Sangam Literature. While the Asokan Brahmi had been already a well-developed script, the Keeladi script had been in the developing stage.

11.44 to 11.8 am Prof Byomakesh Tripathy, VC, Utkal University[4]: he emphasized about the importance of the transfer of archaeological findings to the textbooks, so that it could spread to the academician. Writing history sitting at the tables without visiting the sites cannot bring out the full details and the facts. The intangible culture and cultural heritage have been very important and they should be recorded, as otherwise, many of such evidences may disappear. The elements of change and continuity have also should be noted, taken into account and writing history and historiography.  

11.58 to 12.02 Prof Sulochana Sekhar, Registrar In-charge: Taking a clue from the Tamil words and expressions (திருவாரூரில் பிறந்தாலும், திருவாரூர் என்ற பெயரை சொன்னாலும் முக்தி கிடைக்கும், Jallikkattu, kal thondri man thondra kalattu ‘கல் தோன்றி மண் தோன்றாக் காலத்தே வாளொடு முன்தோன்றி மூத்தகுடி’ என்று புறப்பொருள் வெண்பா … etc..), she explained the cultural heritage of the Tamils.

12.03 to 12.2 pm Dr Dayalan, ex-Director, ASI: He read his paper with the PPT showing the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, microlithic, Neolithic, megalithic evidences and conjectural dwelling of the ancient people. All were expecting his findings of Keeladi, as other dignitaries were referring to him, but he told that he would be restricted to the earlier findings. He also asked the organizers to take copies of his paper and circulated them among the delegates, as he had given his full paper.

After a vote of thanks, the delegates disbursed for a lunch. By 2.30 pm, all assembled for the technical session to begin.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

19-03-2022

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[1] The famous Mayuranatha Svami (Siva) temple in Mayiladuthurai is one among the 275 Padal Petra Sthalams or temples which have been praised in the Tamil verses of the Nayanmars (important devotees of Siva).  It is the thirty-ninth temple on the south bank of River Kaveri to be extolled in the hymns of the Nayanmars. Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) and Thirugnanasambandar of the 7th century C.E. have sung in praise of the main deity here. Mayuranatha Svami is believed to have stopped the floods of River Kaveri to make way for Thirugnanasambandar to visit this temple. The Siva Linga worshipped as Mayuranatha Svami is said to be Swayambhu (self-manifested).

[2] https://cutn.ac.in/events/understanding-the-cultural-heritage-of-tamilnadu-focus-on-thiruvarur-region/

[3] Former President ,Odisha History Congress, Former Professor & Head, Department of History Berhampur University, Professor & Head , Department of History , Central University of Tamil Nadu.

[4] Prof. Byomakesh Tripathy, the professor of the Department of History in Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Utkal University of Culture in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Governor and Chancellor Prof Ganeshi Lal issued a notification in this regard. Prof Tripathy, a Ph.D. from Sambalpur University in 1994 has 27 years of teaching experience and out of that he has worked as Professor for 17 years. He is a resource person in ‘Formulation of Courses of Studies in History and Archaeology’.  Prof Tripathy has authored at least five books and edited 13 books. He has attended 24 national conferences and nine International Conferences. He was the topper in History Honours of Sambalpur University in 1984. Besides, he has guided eleven research scholars for Ph. D. Earlier Prof. Tripathy has worked as the HOD of Dept of History, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, Chairman, Board of Studies, Director (Academics), Indira Gandhi National Tribal University.

Why the “Buddhist relics” are talked about at Ayodhya even after the rejection of the Buddhist petition by the Supreme Court and settled the issue? [1]

Why the “Buddhist relics” are talked about at Ayodhya even after the rejection of the Buddhist petition by the Supreme Court and settled the issue? [1]

12-05-2020 – Construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya has become a People movement: Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das on 12-05-2020 Tuesday paid obeisance to deity Ram Lalla at the makeshift temple in Ayodhya, performed puja and announced the construction of the Ram temple[1]. Meanwhile, a huge sum of donations has been pouring in for the construction of a grand temple in Ayodhya, thus, making it as a people movement. So far, it appears no “Babri historians” have noticed this phenomenon, as otherwise, they might start writing in the EPW, Frontline, The Hindu etc., about the communalization of “Temple building”!  Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram temple, said[2], “We are confident that there will be no shortage of money for the temple. People are donating huge sums of money for the project and we will make sure that the temple that is built is unmatched in magnificence and grandeur.” In those days, the temples might have been built by the Kings, queens, commanders, rich traders and others, but, nowadays, most of the temples are built with the contributions received from the devotees.

After 27 years, on March 25, 2020, Lord Ram Lalla was moved out of the makeshift temple in Ayodhya: The so-called “Ramlalla” idol was shifted in a palanquin to Manas Bhawan in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The makeshift temple structure is made of fibre and is bulletproof. An innocent devotee might wonder as to why it requires a bullet-proof protection. Ending a century-old dispute, the Supreme Court on November 9, 2019 paved the way for the construction of a Ram Temple by a Trust at the disputed site at Ayodhya. While announcing its verdict, a 5-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had said, “The faith of the Hindus that Lord Ram was born at the demolished structure is undisputed.” The SC bench, also comprising Justices S A Bobde, Ashok Bhushan, DY Chandrachud, and S Abdul Nazeer asked the Centre to allot an alternative 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for the construction of a mosque. The apex court in a unanimous 5-0 verdict had said the possession of the disputed 2.77 acre land rights will be handed over to the deity, ‘Ram Lalla’.

Preliminary work for the construction of the temple started at Ayodhya: The preliminary work for the construction of Ram temple started on May 11, 2020. According to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, as the work for levelling of land and removal of the gangway in Shri Ramjanmabhumi Complex was resumed on 20-05-2020 after the coronavirus lockdown, the workers at the site unearthed the remains of pillars adorned with old Hindu carvings, likely of a temple during the excavation. The objects included various archaeological artefacts and stone pillars with carvings of flowers, Kalash, Aamalak, etc. Naturally, only, the temple parts could be recovered underneath the disputed structure. Moreover, till the medieval periods, the temple contained many sannidhis-separate small temples for other divinities and parivara devatas. Thus, the existence of the temple proved already and confirmed by the Court is again vouchsafed.

Buddhist relics found –  media hype!: Suddenly, some persons with the picture of “Amalaka” (आमलक) have started a misinformation campaign through social media that “Buddhist relics” were found[3]. Definitely, these persons do not the meaning of “the Buddhist relics,” and indulged in, definitely dirty games without any care for history, judiciary and society[4]. It is well known that, in a religious context, a relic usually consists of the physical remains of a saint like skull, bone, teeth, nail, etc or the personal effects of the saint or venerated person or the dead body itself in an embalmed condition preserved for purposes of veneration as a tangible memorial and an important aspect of some forms of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Shamanism, and other religions. Here, the broken pieces, parts and chunks of the old temple that was destroyed by the Mohammedans cannot be equated with relics. However, here, nothing has been found of the nature of “relic” connecting it to Buddhism and making it as news, but, the media has started reporting in such a way to create such an impression. Here, only, the responsible historians should have come out and informed the facts, but, they keep quiet for obvious reasons.

September 9, 2019 – The Supreme Court divided the land to the Hindus and Mohammedans: As pointed out above, the Supreme Court, had in November 9. 2019, in a historic decision, accepted the Hindu claim and handed over the Ram Janmabhoomi site to Hindus to build Ram Mandir and finally end the century-long dispute. The five-judge bench had unanimously come to the decision after weighing the arguments presented by all sides for 40 days. The Muslims were given a 5-acre site at an alternate location by the government of Uttar Pradesh, as per the SC order. The Buddhist claim was already rejected. Thus, the land has been distributed to the claiming Hindus and the Muslims. The Supreme Court judgment has amply gone through the evidences and decided accordingly. Therefore, now, commenting, criticizing and making claims are infructuous, redundant and useless. But, knowingly, why the learned, respectable and eminent historians have again and again indulged in such propaganda is intriguing.

A petition filed in June 2018 for Buddhist claim: As more petitions were filed, the court had ordered to find out as to whether a temple was demolished to build the mosque. Thus, the final excavation was conducted on the orders of the Allahabad High Court, when it was seized with the Ayodhya title suit. The ASI reported that there was massive structure standing on dozens of pillars existed at the disputed site before the construction of the Babri Masjid mentioning the presence of stupas and pillars at the disputed site from pre-mosque era. Ayodhya was called as Saket, a renowned Buddhist centre of the time, of course, Rama was also called “Saketa Rama”. This connection was taken as an argument in the writ petition that the Supreme Court admitted in 2018 making Buddhist the third religious stakeholder in Ayodhya title suit. The writ petition in the Supreme Court referred to five archaeological excavations beginning with the one under British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham, the founder of the ASI, in 1860-62. The petitioner Vinit Kumar Maurya, said Cunnigham had failed to find any evidence of a Hindu temple in Ayodhya but found ruins of a Buddhist shrine. Maurya, a postgraduate in ancient Indian history, says earlier, too, other Buddhist petitioners tried to intervene in the matter[5].  But the Buddhist applications filed, were dismissed on the grounds that there was no merit in their contention that the Babri Masjid was raised either by force or demolition on any Buddhist religious structure, which belongs to any Buddhist Society[6]. The Buddhist angle in Ayodhya title dispute emerged in July 2018, when the Supreme Court admitted an intervention petition[7] and tagged it with 13 other appeals making Maurya, a lawyer, the 14^th petitioner[8]. The petitioner was represented by KKL Gautam his lawyer. The Supreme Court had dismissed other intervention petitions in the Ayodhya title suit. The Ayodhya case reached the Supreme Court after petitioners challenged the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment ruling for tri-partition of the 2.77 acre land among deity Ram Lalla, the Nirmohi Akhara and the Sunni Waqf Board. Thus, the Buddhist claim was rejected.

In May 2020, after the Supreme Court Judgment, the Buddhist bogey raised: Now, in May 2020 without understanding and caring for the Supreme Court Judgment, on assumptions and presumptions started repeating old stories without any relevance to the judgment[9]. They had not suggested such things, when Maurya filed a petition. Of course, they never raised any issue about their place of worship was demolished by any Mohammedan. That too, the petition filed by Maurya to look into Buddhist angle was taken care of. No doubt, the eminent historians have been opining about the issue, criticizing the court judgments and even threatening that they would file appeals against the judgments. But, their claims, threatening and other politicization of the issue had been more vociferous in the media. Every time, when there was a judgment, Romila Thapar and Irfan Habib used to come out and assert that they would file an appeal against the order.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

01-06-2020

[1] Times Now, Ram Mandir construction work begins today in Ayodhya; Ram Janmabhoomi trust chief performs puja, May 12, 2020; Updated May 26, 2020 | 11:56 IST

[2] https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/ram-mandir-construction-work-begins-today-in-ayodhya-ram-janmabhoomi-trust-chief-performs-puja/597032

[3] News Click, Babri Masjid, Ram Janmbhoomi and Buddhist Relics, Ram Puniyani, 31 May 2020.

[4] https://www.newsclick.in/Ram-Temple-Ayodhya-Babri-Demolition-and-Buddhism

[5] Economic Times, New twist: Supreme Court accepts Buddhist claim in Ayodhya dispute, ET CONTRIBUTORS|, Last Updated: Jul 28, 2018, 11.00 PM IST

[6] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/new-twist-supreme-court-accepts-buddhist-claim-in-ayodhya-dispute/articleshow/65180728.cms?from=mdr

[7] India Today, Ayodhya: A Buddhist stakeholder in Ram Janmabhoomi in Supreme Court, Prabhash K Dutta , New Delhi, September 3, 2019UPDATED: September 3, 2019 20:57 IST

[8] https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/ayodhya-dispute-mandir-masjid-or-buddhist-stupa-1595002-2019-09-03

[9] The Tribune, Dig deep to explore Ayodhya’s Buddhist link, Posted: May 30, 2020 06:44 AM (IST), Updated : 1 day agoMallepalli Laxmaiah, Chairperson, Centre for Dalit Studies, Hyderabad.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/dig-deep-to-explore-ayodhyas-buddhist-link-91858

Tortoises and Turtles: myth and reality, their Scientific importance in the traditional cultures of the world! [1]

Tortoises and Turtles: myth and reality, their Scientific importance in the traditional cultures of the world! [1]

How I got the interest in maritime studies, Cholas, turtles etc: When I was studying in the Sri Ramakrishna Mission Higher Secondary School[1], Mahalakshmi Street [South Branch], I used to participate in the drawing competition. My competitor was P. V. Ganesh. Every year, we used to get first or second prize and in one year, for the first prize, I was given “Mungil kottai” a historical novel by Sandilyan. Of course, the writer Sandilyan [Bhashyam Iyengar] was residing in one of the houses, opposite to our school. Whenever, any exigency arose, the school authorities would go to him and invite him to preside over functions. Thus, he came and presented the book. I read it completely. Interested by the historical background, I went to the Local Library authority Library[2] and asked for a book written by Chandilyan. The librarian [Murugesan] shouted at me, “What, you are school boy, you want to read Chandilyan?” I told, “Yes, I got a book written by him as a prize. I am told, he wrote some book on shipping etc, I want that book.” He was abusing me, grumbling and finally, he brought “Kadal pura” from the shelf and gave to me with a grim face, of course with a warning also, “All these are not good, boy!” [If you read or imagine in Tamil his reaction could be understood.]

Candilyan’s Kadal pura [Historical novel] quoting the book of Radhakumud Mookerji on Indian shipping…….

Kadal pura, the Puranas and the aquatic species: For the whole day, I read it continuously and completed by evening. I got a fascination for the ship, captain “Agutha”, ocean, travelling by ship, boat, fish, tortoise, whale etc. As it was the first part, I rushed to the library asking for the second part. He was so furious shouting, “Do you think that we do not have any other work here………………go away………I shall cancel your membership………….” I was simply standing there….The closing time was approaching. I was struggling to request him with fear, “Sir…………………” He started locking book bureau one by one.  He came to me, “Go and come tomorrow, we can give only one book a day.” I returned with disgust, but, thinking of more about tortoises, kurmavatara etc., as I already read the Puranas in Tamil written by Srivatsa Somadeva Sarma[3] of “Vaithika Dharma Varthini”.

Sri Kurmanatha Swamy temple – pillars with inscriptions.

Sandilyan’s methodology of writing a historical novel: Anyway, I could read all the three volumes of “Kadal pura” and “Yavana Rani” also. Sandilyan used to give references of books, he relied upon to write the novels and also record, where those books were available. For example, he mentioned, “Radhakumud Mukherjee, Indian shipping available at Connemara library,” in the footnote in Kadalpura. I started insisting my uncle to take me to Connemara Library and get the book. He asked me mildly, “You cannot read such books, as the (English) language would be very difficult for you to understand.” As I continuously harassed me with my pranks, he took me to the library and got the book also. He taught me English and used to correct my papers. Thus, my interest in shipping, waters, fish etc. Once I got down into our well, but could not climb up. I was inside for one hour, then, “Thurwar-persons”[4] came and brought out of the well. During 1980s, I took a full-fledged interest in the Cholas and their maritime activities.

The location of Sri Kurmanatha Swamy temple, very near to the coast of Bay of Bengal or the Cholas lake. And it is near to Orissa cities on the coast, where the turtles lay eggs during the March season.

The location of Srikurmam, Sun temple, Rushikula river etc…The Sweta Pusjkarni is shown below:

A turtle coming out of sea waters.

A turtle coming out of sea waters and reaching the sand.

A turtle coming out of sea waters and reaching the sand. It roams for a while and turns towards sea……

going back to sea-waters……………

We see them one taking rest on the beach…….

We touch to know……………………………..

We touch to know……………………………..

Another delegate / friend wants to touch………………….

Decoding the myth of Kurmavatara: Earlier, I read all Puranas, Itihasas and related books in Tamil till school and then in English after college. Definitely, the Kurma Purana gives intrinsic and clear-cut details about the creation of the world, life, animate and inanimate things, etc., particularly, how they were brought out of the darkness. Interestingly, Kurma Purana has been translated into the major European languages including English, German and French. The extant Kurma-Purana, has been classified as a 15^th Mahapurana and is dated to 4^th to 9^th centuries period CE, considering the interpolations. The Puranas mention five characteristics or main topics of a Purana[5] (especially of a Mahapurana), viz –

sarga (creation),

pratisarga (dissolution and re-creation),

vamsa (dynastic lists or genealogy of kings, sages and gods),

Manvantara.’s (periods of Manu-s each being equal to 71 Mahayuga-s) and

the vamsanucarita (accounts of individual kings, ‘sages, and gods mentioned in the genealogical lists).

In Kurmapurana, all details are available. The Khurma / Tortoise was taken figuratively for the flat surface of the earth with its cardinal points. These details have been found in the ancient literature of all other ancient civilizations. But, after the medieval period and colonization, most of the literature and medieval evidences were destroyed and hence they are not discussed. As the earth floats in the cosmos with its oceanic waters, mountains etc., attracted towards its centre with the force of gravitation, the tortoise too controls and protects its body by withdrawing all its limbs within the shell. The mathematics of Srichakra and Mahmeru are also linked, as the 3D structure is carried on its back. The idea conveyed is that these figures are perfect to be obtained in reality.

Visiting sea coasts, temples connected with turtle etc: I had an opportunity to visit Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Maldives to attend conferences. At those times, I went to maritime museums, beaches and interacted with the local people enquiring details about the medieval maritime activities connected with the Cholas. Only a few could give details about the past, as most of the guides and local people either they deny that they do anything or avoid discussion and go away apologetically. I visited Bengal, Assam, Megalyaya, Tripura, and Orissa many times to attend conferences and seminars. I could find the Cholas connection with Orissa and Bengal. When I started visiting Andhra Pradesh, now Telangana also to attend APHC and THC also, I could visit many coastal cities and towns up to Orissa / Odhissa. . Along with some delegates of APHC, in January  8^th to 10^th, 2016, when I was in Srikakulam, visited the temples situated near to the coast and the beach also. But, as modernization goes fast in the construction of buildings, roads and others, slowly, the temple surroundings are changing. Everybody is interested in commercialization of everything, forgetting the past.

Sri Kurmam, Kurmanatha Swamy Temple: Sri Kurmam is a village in the Gara Mandal of Srikakulam, located approximately 13 km east of Srikakulam town near the sea. It is located at a latitude of 18° 16′ N, a longitude of 84° 1′ E and an altitude of 17 meters (59 feet), thus puts the temple about 3 km from the Bay of Bengal. According to inscriptions in the temple dated 1281 CE, the Kürmakshetra was re-established by Sri Ramanujacharya under the influence of Jagannatha Deva at Jagannatha Puri. Later the temple came under the jurisdiction of the king of Vijayanagara. The visit of Ramanuja in the eleventh century created a religious fervour among the people both in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh towards Vaisnava movement.

The temple is dedicated to Sri Kurmanatha, the second avatar of Lord Vishnu, Kurma Avatar. Srikurmam inscription mentions that the daughters of certain Nayak families of Kalinga were accepted as dancing girls in the temple of Srikurmam which was encouraged by Narasinghadev I. The first known identification of the deity of Puri temple as Jagannatha comes from the Srikurmam inscription[6] of Bhanudeva II, which is dated to 1309 CE. Incidentally, Bhanudeva – II has been mentioned with an epithet, “viswabhara-bhara-vahana-mahaniya” –  that is just like Vishnu-Purushottama, he carried the burden of the earth on the back in the form of a tortoise[7].  Narahari Tirtha (d. 1333 CE) was a scholar and one of the disciples of Madhvacharya (1238-1317 CE), who patronized the temple. Traditionally, Narahari is also considered to be the founder of Yakshagana and Bayalata, a dance form which still flourishes in parts of Karnataka and Kasargod in present-day Kerala.

Narahari Thirth in Kalinga from 1264-1294 CE: Many inscriptions at Srikurmam and Simhchalam refer to Narahari Bhrathi, Narahari Maphada or Narahari Tirth giving authentic information about his activities in Kalinga. The accession of Bhanudeva I to the Ganga throne in 1264 coincided with the arrival of Narahari Thirtha in Kalinga after his initiation to Dvaita philosophy by Madhva. He remained in Kalinga till 1294 and wielded considerable influence during the reign of Bhanudeva I and his son Narasiroha II. Narahari Thirtha left Kalinga in 1294 during the reign of Narasimha II. He constructed a temple of Yogananda Narasimha in front of the temple of Srikurmam in 1281. Generally, it is done to reduce the “ugra” (great effect, affecting certain devotees). Before Narahari Tirtha left Kalinga he installed the idols of Rama, Sita and Laxmana in the premises of Srikurmam temple. A. K. Mohanty[8] has rightly pointed out, “The humble beginning made by Ramanuja culminated into a cultural revolution by the activities of Narahari Tirtha. Ramanuja had simply converted Srikurmam and Simhachalam temples as Vaisnava shrines but Narahari Tirtha raised these two places as great centres of Vaisnava religion and faith…… Ramanuja and Sri Chaitanya came and left, but Narahari Tirtha remained with the people, spent 30 years with them,……”. Thus, the great services of Narahari Tirtha have to be remembered. In the temple itself, there as been a space for tortoises to roam and they are protected.

Rushikulya river and the place, where turtles visit to lay eggs: The eastern Indian state of Odisha is known worldwide for seasonally hosting olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) en masse as they visit the seashore along the Bay of Bengal for mass nesting[9]. This spring (March 2020), however, heralded a surprise for the marine conservationists and state forest department, who witnessed mass nesting of the species during the day after nearly seven years[10]. Rushikulya is situated in the Ganjam district of Odisha along the Bay of Bengal and is one of the most prominent locations for olive ridley mass nesting, an annual feature where female turtles arrive on the beach to prepare their nests and lay their eggs[11]. Such mass nesting events are called arribadas (a Spanish word meaning arrival).

Nesting of olive ridley turtles, Odisha – March 14 to 21:  Coming to the turtles laying eggs, hatching, preservation etc., the efforts taken are discussed. The olive ridley turtle is considered the most abundant sea turtle in the world, with an estimated 8,00,000 nesting females annually[12]. The olive ridley is globally distributed in the tropical regions of the South Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They are listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red list and are also protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. According to wildlife experts, in India, while states like Maharashtra, Goa, and the offshore Andaman islands witness sporadic nesting of olive ridley turtles, Odisha is the only state in India that sees mass nesting of olive ridley turtles. Rushikulya and Gahirmatha are the two principal mass nesting sites at this point in Odisha. the Rushikulya rookery hosted 330,000 olive ridleys during this mass nesting phase. The breeding season for the turtles spreads from November to May including mating, nesting, and hatching. Each turtle can lay between 100 to 160 eggs in an hour,” explained Sahu. At Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, as many as 407,194 olive ridley turtles laid eggs from March 14 to March 21. Combined with the number of turtles that nested at Rushikulya, government officials claim close to 800,000 turtles have come to nest.  As per the Forest Department, till the second week, more than 2,78,502 female turtles have nested at the coast[13]. This year, they have estimated that at least 4.75 lakh turtles would come out to nest on the Rushikulya beach alone[14]. According to estimates, more than six crore eggs would be laid this year 2020. The Gahirmatha Beach in Kendrapara district of Odisha (India), which is now a part of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, is the largest breeding ground for these turtles. Between 1993 and 2003, more than 100,000 olive ridley turtles were reported dead in Odisha, India from fishery-related practices[15]. Another major project, in India involved in preserving the olive ridley sea turtle population, was carried out in Chennai, where the Chennai wildlife team collected close to 10,000 eggs along the Marina coast, of which 8,834 hatchlings were successfully released into the sea in a phased manner[16]. Under the guise of preserving the turtles etc., these activities have been going on. Who is sponsoring for the activities, etc., are not known. How the common people of India are going to get benefitted also not known. But, in the concept of “Kurmavatara,” the tortoises and turtles have been divinized and even made God and hence respected, venerated and protected in the sanctum sanctorum.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

24-05-2020

[1] Sri Ramakrishna Mission Higher Secondary School has three branches – Main (opposite to Panagal Park), North (Next to NTR House) and South (Mahalakksmi st) – all in T. Nagar.

[2]  At that time it was situated just opposite to the “National Theatre,” Lake View Road, West Mambalam, Madras.

[3] His house was there in the Station Road, West Mambalam. I used to go to him to buy books and magazine.

[4] The experts, who could jump into well waters, scoop out dirt and make water good. They would come with ropes and assistants.

[5] Ahibhushan Bhattacharya, The Kurma Purana (with English translation), All India Kashi Raj Trust, Varanasi, 1972, Introduction, pp.i-iii.

[6] Epigraphia Indica, Vol. V, p. 35. Also see D.C. Sircar, “Ganga Bhanudeva II and PurushottamaJagannatha”, Journal of the Kalinga Historical Research Society, Vol. 1, No. 3, p. 251-53.

[7] JASB, Vo.XVII, p.195.

[8] Mohanty, Abhay Kumar, Narahari Tirtha a study of his life and work, PhD thesis, Utkal University, 1993

[9] Mongabay, Olive ridleys day-nest in Odisha after seven years, but no link to lockdown say experts, by Manish Kumar, Sahana Ghosh on 1 April 2020

[10] https://india.mongabay.com/2020/04/olive-ridleys-day-nest-in-odisha-after-seven-years-but-no-link-to-lockdown-say-experts/

[11] The Hindu, Undisturbed mass nesting of Olive Ridleys at Odisha’s Rushikulya rookery, Sib Kumar Das, BERHAMPUR, MARCH 25, 2020 21:43 IST, UPDATED: MARCH 26, 2020 09:55 IST

[12] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/coronavirus-lockdown-undisturbed-mass-nesting-of-olive-ridleys-at-odishas-rushikulya-rookery/article31166566.ece

[13] Times of India / India Times, Turtles return to Odisha’s coast for nesting as humans are locked inside, TRAVEL NEWS, ORISSA, Mar 27, 2020, 11.31 IST

[14] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/lakhs-of-endangered-olive-riley-turtles-return-to-odishas-coast-for-nesting-as-humans-are-locked-inside/as74841524.cms

[15] Deccan Chronicle, Over 8,000 turtle hatchlings released, DC Correspondent, Published May 23, 2014, 12:01 pm IST; Updated Apr 1, 2019, 6:22 am IST

[16] https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140523/nation-current-affairs/article/over-8000-turtle-hatchlings-released

The Lost City of the Monkey God – myth or reality? From 1927 to 2017, the changing narratives of the experts, explorers and enterprising book writers [1]

The Lost City of the Monkey God – myth or reality? From 1927 to 2017, the changing narratives of the experts, explorers and enterprising book writers [1]

Introduction: The story of the discovery of “The Lost city of the Monkey God,” could naturally evoke an Indian, after going through the narratives, pictures and the books. The pictures of Virgil Finkay[1] (1914-1971) captured the imagination of many and started believing that there was such a city existed in the Central America. However, after reading the data and information available, it is found that the US explorers, experts, archaeologists and writers have been changing their narratives from 1927 to 2017 from their reports. For the reasons known to them, they have been sensationalized, theologized and ideologized also. Though, the experts involved have been supposedly interested in bringing out the truth about the lost city, have abruptly stopped their explorations and abandoned their “discovered city.” As they started accusing each other, attributing other factors, the bias exhibited has been open. Thus, all the narratives have been compiled and put together in the context of bringing out the facts. Some comments have been added in between for clarification and understanding.

Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974) found the “Lost city of Monkey God”: In 1927 / 1929, aviator Charles Lindbergh reported seeing a “white city” while flying over eastern Honduras. Some of his aerial photographs were also published. The news appeared on the first page of “the New York Times” in detail. Later, it was pointed out that Lindbergh must have misunderstood the Yucatan, British Honduras (Belize), and other Central American locations, where he identified several hitherto unknown Maya sites. However, this flight, under the auspices of the Carnegie Institution, was one of the first successful demonstrations of aerial reconnaissance in archaeology. In 2015, “The Independent” described, “The mossy carving had lain undisturbed for up to a millennium in some of the remotest jungle on Earth. It is a powerful effigy of a “were-jaguar” but also the pristine legacy of a vanished and – until now – unknown civilisation. National Geographic has reported that an archaeological expedition to Honduras[2] has emerged from the depths of a Central American wilderness to declare the discovery of the ruins of a lost culture sought by explorers since Cortes and hitherto known only by the slightly preposterous title of City of the Monkey God[3]. Although supposedly spotted from the air in the 1920s by Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974) and the subject of repeated attempts to reach it, no-one had offered irrefutable proof of the existence of the mythical Ciudad Bianca or White City and some archaeologists had dismissed it as the wishful imaginings of gentleman explorers”[4]. In 1997, “The New Yorker” reported an expedition to the “unknown, vanished, mysterious” civilization of Mosquitia[5]. So from 1939 to 1997 what happened, none knew or knows and none had gone on an expedition searching for gold or written any books.

Theodore Morde (1911-1954) claimed to have located the White City in 1939: American adventurer Theodore Morde claimed to have located the White City in 1939 – but died before he could reveal its whereabouts. Of course, it was called as La Ciudad Blanca, the Lost City of the Monkey God and so on. Virgilio Paredes Trapero, director of the Honduran Institute for Anthropology and History (IHAH), said: “If we don’t do something right away, most of this forest and valley will be gone in eight years. The Honduran government is committed to protecting this area, but doesn’t have the money. We urgently need international support.” The confirmation of the existence of the mystical City of the Monkey God is the culmination of centuries of on-and-off endeavour by explorers to locate remains which the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes predicted in 1526 would “exceed Mexico in riches”. In 1939, a swashbuckling American adventurer called Theodore Morde claimed to have finally located the White City and said he had been told by indigenous Indians that a giant statue of a monkey was buried there. He then died in a car crash before revealing its location. The final discovery was made possible after an American film-maker and amateur archaeologist raised £980,000 from private backers in 2012 to fund mapping of the forest using state-of-the-art technology which bombarded the canopy with lasers and revealed the unmistakable straight lines of human construction. Now that the site has been “ground-truthed” by the expedition further work is being planned to secure its contents while its location is kept secret to protect it from looters. Mark Plotkin, the expedition’s ethnobotanist, said: “This is clearly the most undisturbed rain forest in Central America. The importance of this place can’t be overestimated.” Note, here it has been mentioned that, “He then died in a car crash before revealing its location”!

July 12, 1940 – ‘City of the Monkey God is believed located: Expedition reports success in Honduras exploration: The headline in the New York Times was tantalisingly mysterious: ‘City of the Monkey God is believed located: Expedition reports success in Honduras exploration’. If readers were a little puzzled as to the huge significance of this announcement, they were soon put right by the man who had made it. The date was July 12, 1940, and American explorer Theodore Morde had just emerged from the darkest jungles of Central America with an incredible story about what he’d found there. Morde, a real-life Indiana Jones who later became a wartime U.S. spy, had been recruited by the founder of New York’s prestigious Museum of the American Indian to try to find a mythical lost ‘White City’ dripping in gold that had been founded by a mysterious civilisation as great as the Aztecs and the Mayans. Adventurers had been searching for La Ciudad Blanca for centuries, ever since Spanish conquistador and explorer Hernando Cortes conquered Central America in the early 16^th century and heard rumours of its riches. But it remained hidden for hundreds of years until Morde insisted he had found it deep in the rain forests of Mosquitia, more than 32,000 square miles of hellishly inhospitable wilderness in Honduras and Nicaragua. He described how, armed only with a revolver and a machete, he and a companion named Lawrence Brown had spent four months hacking their way through ‘almost inaccessible’ jungle, swamps, rivers and mountains before coming upon a hidden valley that contained the remains of a white-stoned, walled city.

Described wildly about the cult of Monkey God: There, the local Indians told him (Morde), a long-vanished people, who were contemporaries of the Ancient Mayans, had once worshipped a strange Monkey God whose giant statue was still buried under centuries of vegetation. They made bloody human sacrifices to their simian deity, then ate the victims in an act of ritualised cannibalism. Morde said that on his own brief visit he had himself seen a disturbing rite in which local natives ritually slaughtered and ate monkeys in a twisted hangover from the cult. He has written all details published in “The Malkawakee Sentinel”. His observations about “Hanuman” and other details are also found[6]. However, in the US media, it was downplayed. To back his astonishing claims, Morde — who was only 29 but had already sailed around the world five times — brought back several thousand artefacts to America such as stone utensils and tiny carved monkey masks. He never revealed the precise location of the ruined city for fear it would be looted before he could go back. However, he never returned and died mysteriously in 1954, taking the secret of its location with him. Here, it is mentioned that he “died mysteriously”!

The archaeologists have surveyed and mapped ‘extensive plazas, earthworks, mounds and an earthen pyramid belonging to a culture that thrived 1,000 years ago, and then vanished’: It remained a compelling mystery, seemingly lifted from the pages of H. Rider Haggard.  Generations of adventurers plunged into the jungle to search for the city, and experts dismissed Morde’s discovery as a self-promoting fantasy. Explorers who reported glimpsing the tops of white buildings peeking through the forest canopy were told they were just limestone cliffs. But now the sceptics may have to eat their words. A team of U.S. and Honduran archaeologists have just returned from La Mosquitia. They have announced that — like Morde — they have discovered the remains of what they believe to be the City of the Monkey God, in a crater-shaped rainforest valley encircled by steep mountains. According to the National Geographic magazine, which accompanied the expedition, the archaeologists have surveyed and mapped ‘extensive plazas, earthworks, mounds and an earthen pyramid belonging to a culture that thrived 1,000 years ago, and then vanished’. The team also discovered a breathtaking collection of stone sculptures that had lain untouched since the city was abandoned. Christopher Fisher, an archaeologist from Colorado State University and team member, believes the sculptures — found at the base of the pyramid — may have been offerings to the Monkey God. The team first found the ruins nearly three years ago (2012) during an aerial survey using a high-tech scanner that was able to pierce the jungle canopy with laser light and reveal archaeological features. It showed ruins that stretched for more than a mile along a river through the valley. The remote, rugged area is a major cocaine smuggling route and the scientists, who were ferried to the site by helicopter, were accompanied by Honduran special forces and former members of Britain’s SAS.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

22-05-2020

[1] Virgil Finlay (July 23, 1914 – January 18, 1971) was an American pulp fantasy, science fiction and horror illustrator. He has been called “part of the pulp magazine history … one of the foremost contributors of original and imaginative art work for the most memorable science fiction and fantasy publications of our time.” While he worked in a range of media, from gouache to oils, Finlay specialized in, and became famous for, detailed pen-and-ink drawings accomplished with abundant stippling, cross-hatching, and scratchboard techniques. Finlay created more than 2600 works of graphic art in his 35-year career.

[2] UNESCO has named the Río Plátano as a Biosphere Reserve, but it has been nibbled away by illegal logging and cattle ranching operations. It was placed on the UN’s “Danger List” in 2011. The southern border of the rainforest keeps shifting north as ranchers cut down the forest. Many said this was happening to produce beef for the US fast-food market.

https://blog.ted.com/mark-plotkin-shares-tales-of-the-lost-city-he-and-his-team-just-rediscovered/

[3] The Independent, The City of the Monkey God: Archaeologists claim to have found city lost for 1,000 years in remote Honduran jungle, Fabled ‘White City’ is now under threat from illegal cattle ranchers, Cahal Milmo @cahalmilmo, Tuesday 3 March 2015 19:33

[4] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/the-city-of-the-monkey-god-archaeologists-claim-to-have-found-city-lost-for-1000-years-in-remote-10083356.html

[5] The New Yorker, The Lost City, Douglas Preston, October 13, 1997; Published in the print edition of the October 20, 1997, issue. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1997/10/20/the-lost-city

[6] The Milwaukee Sentinel, September 22, 1940.

Reminiscences about Nonagenarians, strange meetings and varied personalities!

Reminiscences about Nonagenarians, strange meetings and varied personalities!

My early days’ contacts with DMK (1967-1969): Sri Bhagavatham Venkatappaiah[1] had been our family friends living at the end of our Venkatachala Iyer Street, West Mambalam, Madras – 600 033 since the early 1950s. The house was tiled one of 1940 period and he was living there with parents and brothers. Incidentally, my uncle Nandagiri Narayana Rao[2] [we called him as Narayana mama] and family came there as tenants and I used to be there at every evening in 1960s. As they had transistor [Murphy], I used to go there to listen to news and songs. As Narayana Rao was a DMK supporter, he used to tell about the party and leaders. I used to decorate our old house with Black and red, DMK flags and as I was just eight years old. In 1967, when C. N. Annadurai and Karunanidhi came in a jeep at the end of our street on the Lake View Road for election campaign, the DMK men lifted me and out in the jeep, informing, “This papparap paiyan nalla kathuvan,” [This Brahmin boy would shout well] and I started shouting, “Anna vazhga, Karunanidhi vazhga, Udhaya Suriyane parthu poduugamma vottu!” [Hail Anna, hail Karunanidhi, vote for the Raising Sun symbol] and so on, as instructed by them! The DMK came to power in 1967. When Anna died on Feb.3, 1969, he [Narayana mama] took me to Marina in the procession. While returning, I remember what happened to the Kamadenu Hotel situated on the Gopaty Narayana Chetty Street near Sun theatre[3]. We could not get anything to eat and we had to return with empty stomachs. So when we were children, naturally, we would be influenced by the hereditary and environmental factors.

Studying in Tamil medium (1964-1966): As I was admitted in Tamil medium in the nearby Devi School in 1964, I started taking interest in Tamil. One day, “Old bookseller,” Rajagopal became friend in the sense, he used to sell “Ambulimama” to me. My another uncle Sri Madhwapati Srinivasa Rao[4] made me to take interest in reading newspapers and books. Rajagopal was a DMK man and he also used to tell about DMK and its leader. He was called as “thalaivar,” and “Vattac ceyalalar,” by his friends. Rajagopal was having his old book shop on the platform near Murugan Stores on the Station Road.

Leather scientist B. Venkatappaiah, a friend of K. Ramaiah: B. Venkatappaiah[5] was a scientist in CLRI and was a college mate of K. Anbazhagan. Venkatappaiah used to tell, his name was Ramaiah and a Telugu man and they used to talk with each other in Telugu in Pachaiappa’s College. Ramaiah did Intermediate with Physics, Chemistry and Economics (1938-39) and then, B.A in Tamil from 1939 to 1942. He came to Pachaiappa’s College and completed M.A. Tamil during the period 1942-44. He used to point out that Ramaiah was working as lecturer and not professor, as he was portrayed. Ramaiah worked in Pachaiappa’s College as a lecturer between the 1944 and 1957 period. I was asking Mrs Venkatappaiah a photo of B. Venkatappaiah, and incidentally, she gave on 05-03-2020. I wanted to prepare a write-up on him, but, I could not do that. But, today, the news of Sri K. Anbazhagan comes.

My personal meetings of Sri K. Anbazhagan: Of course, I too met him three times. First time at the BHEL Guest House, Ranipet [I was there June 1994 to July 1995]. As one night, I had to sit late night to attend to work, I could not get a bus to return to Madras and hence I had to stay at the BHEL Guest House. Evening, when I come out of my room, surprisingly, I saw him standing in the corridor. Initially, I was hesitant to meet him, as he was a Minister. Then, I slowly approached him and said, “Vanakkam, Iyya,” he turned back and told, “Vanakkam.” Then, I introduced myself and also about B. Venkatappaiah, his College-mate.  He could recognize and enquired about him. Then, he was telling about college days at Pachaiyappa’s. I also informed that I did my B.Sc Physics there. I asked him as to whether he could speak Telugu then, he responded no, as they lost touch. As the dinner was ready, and we were asked to come down, my conversation with him ended. Then, I met him at the Swaminatha Iyer Library functions twice. He was praising Iyer for his great work done in collecting palm-leaf manuscripts and got them published in the book form. He talked in a very balanced way.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

07-03-2020

[1]  He had two brothers Sri  B.Shayamsundar and B. Aravindan, whose sons and daughters have been well settled.

[2]  They have D. Srinivasa Rao, Krishnamuthy Rao, Ranga Rao, Ramachandra Rao and Narayana Rao (as mentioned above)  and three sisters Padmavathi Amma, Savithri Amma and Sitaram.

[3] Now both are not there. Sun  theatre has been converted into Sun plaza, commercial complex building.

[4]  He had been the son of M. Subba Rao, grandson of Nayapati Subba Rao, the Congress leader and freedom fighter. Thus, I am the grandson of M. Subba Rao and thus great-great-grandson of Nyapathi Subba Rao. Anyway, nowadays, none bothers about all these details, people are recognized by their status of power and money.

[5] He was next to Dr Nayudamma (1922-1985), the scientist in those days. Perhaps, no other scientist has been as popular and respected as Dr Yelavarthy Nayudamma both in India and abroad where leather is a major industry.  https://www.clri.org/Admin/Leaders/dnayudamma.html