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 (3)

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 (3)

17-03-2022 breakfast

The first technical session started after lunch chaired by Prof S. Sundaram, HOD, History department, University of Madras. There were seven paper presenters:

Sl. No	Name of the paper presenter	Title of the paper
1	K. V. Ramakrishna Rao	The Cholas shipbuilding and ship breaking activities, changing river basins and coastal lines 1000 years ago
2	R. Devi	Nageswaraswamy Temple  Kumbakonam
3	G. Aruldas and R. Dinakar	Cholas influence on Southeast Asia and its maritime trade
4	Murugan and Basha	Muslim women’s education in the Vellore district
5	Natarajan	Kalpana and Kalpita in Thavil play – Innovation made in Thiruvrur
6	Madhusudhana Rao and K. V. Ramakrishna Rao	The Architectural link between Thruvaiyaru and Hemavati
7	N. Anita	A Vital role of the Dravidian movement n the abolition of the Devadasi system

Dr Sundaram delved upon “culture,” its definition and detailed its importance quoting from the related literature. From cherished historic monuments and museums to living heritage practices and contemporary art forms, culture enriches our lives in countless ways and helps build inclusive, innovative and resilient communities. Protecting and safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural heritage and supporting creativity and dynamic cultural sectors are fundamental to addressing the challenges of our time, from climate change to poverty, inequality, the digital divide and ever more complex emergencies and conflicts. UNESCO is convinced that no development can be sustainable without a strong culture component. Indeed only a human-centred approach to development based on mutual respect and open dialogue among cultures can lead to lasting peace.

UNESCO’s commitment to culture: UNESCO’s interdisciplinary mandate which includes the natural and social sciences and culture make it uniquely able to explore the diverse values of nature. Biodiversity is central to many cultures and culture itself plays a crucial role in how biodiversity is perceived. UNESCO is the only UN agency with a mandate in the field of culture. UNESCO’s Culture Sector, through its culture conventions and programmes, plays a unique role in promoting human creativity and safeguarding culture and heritage worldwide. UNESCO’s mandate for the social sciences enables exploration of the ethical considerations of nature’s intrinsic value, while  UNESCO’s  work  on gender provides a  space to  examine  how  biodiversity  is  experienced  and  utilized differently by women and men. Finally, the work of UNESCO in culture and communication and information demonstrates that language is key to how we understand and perceive the world, and shows how the concepts of ‘biodiversity’ and ‘nature’ are expressed in many different ways in different languages.

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao presented his paper with PPT, “The Cholas shipbuilding and ship breaking activities, changing river basins and coastal lines 1000 years ago.” Showing the fundamentals of the shipbuilding, he explained that shipbreaking worked as “Reverse engineering,” during the Cholas period, as huge quantity of wood, timber and parts were recovered, salvaged and reclaimed and they were again used for shipbuilding. Shipbuilding was always and also associated with ship-breaking and no researcher has looked into, in the context of the Cholas. Had the Cholas shipbuilding yards been busy with shipbuilding, naturally, they were busy by engaging themselves in the ship-breaking. The ship-breaking gave abundant wooden-ready-made parts that were easily used for the shipbuilding.  However, recycling can be described as making use of an object (such as a vessel) in a different way from its original function. In contrast, discarding is when unwanted objects and materials are simply dumped at some place.

K.V. Ramakrishna Rao presenting his paper

Recycling aims at the resourceful reuse of various materials, therefore, such huge quantity of wood and timber coming out of ship breaking was not discarded, but, used in the rebuilding ships and the rest for the construction of palaces and forts. If a ship anchors at a port, a lot of activities took place. Hundreds of people, mostly, foreigners entered the port cities. As they acted and interacted with the locals, problems had arisen. Therefore, taxes were also imposed to restrict their movements and goods[1]. From Kanyakumari to Bengal, there had been many ports, port-cities, shipbuilding yards and ship-breaking centres on the coast. Nagapttinam, Caddalore, Pulicat, Naasapurpeta, Kaligapatna, Sitakund are to mention a few. The waste from the vessels, cargo, men and materials polluted the port cities and the coast[2]. Therefore, they were also anchored at a distance and only goods were allowed to enter the port through boats. Thus, in Indian ports, boats were very important in handling cargo, of course, catamaran also played an important role, as they had been cheap and easy way of transporting goods from their ships to the coast. Thus, the small islands, atolls, coral reefs and such other areas nearby coastal areas, ports served as transit-temporary staying places for the foreign / incoming vessels / ships.

R. Devi described the features of “Nageswaraswamy Temple  Kumbakonam.”

G. Aruldas and R. Dinakar with the very attractive title, “Cholas influence on Southeast Asia and its maritime trade,” delved much on the literary evidence from the Tamil Sangam literature about the topic. After spending 80% on such literary narrative, they turned to the Cholas, but giving nothing new. The paper presenter was repeating the well-known details again and again.

Murugan and Basha, a joint paper but presented by Basha on, “Muslim women education in the Vellore district,” and it was not at all fitting into any theme of the seminar. The sectional President also pointed out this fact.

Natarajan presented on “Kalpana and Kalpita in Thavil play – Innovation made in Thiruvrur,” With demonstration of notes. He pointed out as to how a new note was added to the traditional seven notes[3].

Madhusudhana Rao and K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, a joint paper presented by Prof Madhusudhana Rao on, “The Architectural link between Thruvaiyaru and Hemavati.” Historians while describing the Ganges campaign of Rajendra Chola (1012-1044 CE), discussed and debated about many “Victory Trophies” brought back from the Ganges to Thanjavur. In the case of Nolambas, the carrying back of Hemavati temple pillars, the authors studied them at the Hemavati and Thiruvaiyaru temples. The 50 carved pillars in the corridors of the Apparsvami shrine of the Chola temple at Thiruvaiyaru have been under discussion in this paper. At Tiruvaiyar seven miles from Thanjavur, is an ancient Chola temple adjunct of which is the Apparsvami shrine. This small temple is associated with the great Saiva – saint who converted the Pallava king Mahendravarman to Saivism and the sacred spot has a temple erected by Rajendra. An inscription on the plinth gives the prasasti of Rajendra Chola. Around the temple are corridors with rows of pillars. There are about fifty exquisitely carved pillars in greenish basalt with intricate carving in a style so different from all around that they stand out distinctive entirely variant from their surroundings, in other words, they were brought from Hemavati and fixed here.

N. Anita, in her paper, “A Vital role of Dravidian movement n the abolition of Devadasi system,” delved upon 95% and suddenly narrated about the women engaged as “Devadasis,” during the Chola period[4].

After tea break, the Technical session – II started and 15 papers were presented. As only five minutes were given, the paper presenters rushed through and most of them had been of compiled and repetitive nature. No new facts or interpretations are given. Evidently, the paper presenters have not taken seriously in going through the sources and bringing out how this area had been so important in promoting the Tamil Heritage in many aspects and standardized during the Chola period. Unfortunately, many of the papers listed were not presented as the authors did not turn up. The hurriedly filled up readers could not do any justice. Thus, the first-day seminar session was over.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

19-03-2022

---

[1]  The inscriptions like Mottupalli and Kaifeedus about Cholas Purvapattayams, Pulicat etc., detail the taxes imposed and collected on the goods imported and exported by the foreigners entering the Indian ports.

[2] This has been the most serious problem and even today and incidentally, the important ship-breaking centres have still been in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

[3] There are different types of swara sthayis or note pitches that leads to the total number of melakartha ragas. These different variations of swaras leads to more than one combination of musical scale. The different variations in swaras is mentioned below. Using this it is possible to mathematically ascertain the total number of melakartha ragas.

Sa (Shadja) – only one.

Ri (Rishabha) – Shuddha, Chathushruthi and Shatshruti Rishabha in increasing order of pitch.

Ga (Gandhara) – Shuddha, Sadharana, Antara Gandhara in increasing order of pitch.

Ma (Madhyama) – Shuddha, Prathi Madhyama in increasing order of pitch.

Pa(Panchama)- only one.

Dha (Daivata) –Shuddha, Chatushruti, Shatshruti Daivata in increasing order of pitch.

Ni (Nishada)- Shuddha, Kaishiki, Kakali Nishadham in increasing order of pitch.

[4] Of late, Rajaraja Chola is targeted very often for pro-Brahmin and started attacked by the Dravidologists. Recently also without knowing the difference between the script and language, some fringe groups were demonstrating against the arathi inscriptions found in the Big Temple and misinterpreting as if “Sanskrit” inscriptions were inserted and so on without any basis. Here, the accusation has been that Rajaraja was responsible for the increase of Temple prostitutes / Devadasis.

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

“National Seminar on Cataloguing, editing and Publication of Ancient Indian Manuscripts on Science and Technology” held on March 25th 28th 2019 at Bangalore [5]

“National Seminar on Cataloguing, editing and Publication of Ancient   Indian Manuscripts on Science and Technology” held on March  25^th  28^th 2019 at Bangalore [5]

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, M. S. Vijyaraghavan, S. R. Ramaurthy, Agnihothri…………..

28-03-2019 – 11.15 to 1.00 pm: The sixth and the last session was chaired by Dr. M. S. Vijayaraghavan, Ex-JS of PMO, Bangalore, and the following papers were presented:

 

Sl. No	Name of the Presenter	Topic
1	Mr. K. V. Ramakrishna Rao Independent Researcher, Chennai	Shipping technology of the Tamils – based on the Manuscripts available
2	S. R. Rama Murthy	Vedic literature
3	Agnihotri	Kannada Manuscript

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao tried to link the Rajendra Chola shipping technology with that of the manuscripts available – Kappal Sathiram கப்பற் சாத்திரம்[1] [Science and Technology of Ships and Shipping[2]], Navay Sathiram – நாவாய் சாத்திரம்[3] [Book for manufacture of boat, ship etc[4]], Kappal Kovai – கப்பற் கோவை[5] [A Compendium on Ships], Besides the above specific works, there had been other PLBs also, as found in the books:

• சரஸ்வதிஅந்தாதி [Saraswati Anthathi]
• சோதிடகிரகசிந்தாமணி [Jyothida graha Cintamani]
• கணக்கதிகாரம் [A Book of Calculattions (for Shipbuilding)]
• நீகம சிகாமணி [Nigama sigamani]

கப்பல் நெருப்பு பற்றிய அபாய சிந்து [Kappal neruppu patriya abaya chindu]

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao presenting his paper on “Shipping technology of the Tamils – based on the Manuscripts available”

Nagapatnam, Caddalore, Madras, Pulicat, Arumuganeri, Machilipatnam, Narsapur, Srikakulam, Kalingappatnam etc., had been the important ports and shipyards, where shipbuilding and repairing activities were going on till 18^th century.  He concluded as follows:

1. With the internal evidences, the data, details and information are correlated, corroborated and corresponded with that of the imperial Cholas, who had exercised their maritime influence throughout the Coromandel Coast and also coasts that of South East Asian countries.
2. These PLB amply prove the existence of such tradition of shipbuilding involving selection of very good wood, quality of the carpenter, the sincere work of wood workers, shipbuilding, preparing for the first sail, actual first sail on the most auspicious time, day etc., praying for the safe return of the ship – captain, sailors and others with goods and profits, and celebrating such return.
3. Te manuscript evidences prove the existence of coastal navigation, the co-operation among the sailors, shipbuilders, repairers etc., on the Coromandel coast.
4. Therefore, in that context, the manuscripts serve as evidence to prove the continuance of shipbuilding activities and hence the maritime expedition of Rajendra Chola during the 12^th
5. As Rajendra Chola’s sojourn has been proved based on the inscriptions, copper plates and cross checked with that of the countries mentioned, the manuscript approach is also added to establish the historical fact. Hence, the manuscripts are also used for such studies.

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao presenting his paper on “Shipping technology of the Tamils – based on the Manuscripts available”

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao presenting his paper on “Shipping technology of the Tamils – based on the Manuscripts available” and M. S. Vijayaraghavan interacting

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao facilitated by Prof Lakhsmi Thathachariar

S. R. Rama Murthy tried to correct some verses of Valmiki Rammayana, as they do not give proper meaning. However, a group of scholars analysed the verses from the hundreds of manuscripts and brought out one critical edition of Valmiki Ramayana. Therefore, there is no necessity for him to do such exercise. When pointed out, he says that the critical edition itself is wrong and he would not accept. He was also debunking “Saraswati river” and the research thereon, carried on by the Haryana government. In fact, he tried to interpret that the Brahmaputra was Saraswati, flow of direction changed.

The last paper presenter “Agnihothri………….” was talking in general about some Kannada manuscripts. In fact, he was speaking in Kannada and claimed that the Kannada is the oldest language other than Sanskrit and its date id c.520 CE. However, I pointed out that the Battiporlu inscription contains the earliest Telugu script dated to c.120 BCE.

Panel discussion: From 2.30 to 4.00 pm: There was a panel discussion with the chair person – Prof.M.A.Lakshmithathachar, President, SF, Mysore and Dr. M. S. Vijayaraghavan, Dr. P. Ramanujan Dr. M. D.Sreenivas Dr. Sai Susarla and Sanjay Singhla discussed about the problems and issued involved in the Cataloguing, editing and Publication of Ancient   Indian Manuscripts on Science and Technology. The points are as follows:

1. They mainly discussed about the divide existing between the traditional Sanskrit pundits and IT experts dealing with Sanskrit manuscripts, conversion of manuscripts data into information.
2. Divide also exists between the traditional Sanskrit pundits, Sanskrit college products and the foreign categories.
3. The traditional Sanskrit pundits feel that they are not respected or treated properly.
4. The traditional Sanskrit pundits do not want to IT field and most of the IT experts do not want to engage with Sanskrit business [digitization of manuscripts, reading and interpretation of them etc].
5. The existing “Vedic-IT combo” experts[6] fight with each other with ego and other issues. Perhaps, they do not like each other, as many times, they enter into area of others in research, electronic conversion of data with their expertise.
6. The same or same type of work is carried on by many individuals, groups and institutions, yet, there is no co-ordination, co-operation and understanding among themselves. That in Bangalore itself, many engage in such work has already been pointed out.
7. The Indian categories of all sorts, are still not able to counter the non-Indian or westerners scholarship. The latter group always look down the for group. Ironically, 70% of the latter group cannot speak Sanskrit, read and understand Sanskrit.
8. Sanskrit should be addressed to the common people for solving their day to day problems, then, only, they can believe.
9. The instrument that is to e discovered by the “Vedic-IT combo” experts should be utility oriented for the common people, just like, mobile phone, now used by all people, irrespective of the fact that the users talk different languages, have enough knowledge or not, rich or poor etc.
10. “Vedic-IT combo” experts or anybody dealing with these subjects should learn from the original and then, only, they could understand the nuances of the language, literature, epistemology etc., so that they could proceed with decoding, deciphering and interpreting the data and information digitized.

My observations on the proceedings of the seminar: I had a strong feeling that we were neglected or ignored from the beginning, as we had not received any reply-e-mail, in spite of dozens of e-mail sent with telephonic enquiries made almost everyday from the first week of March. In spite of on-line registration, sending full paper in advance,  with a lot of data and information, the organizers never responded to send any information – acceptance or rejection of the papers as per the dates fixed etc., Even after registration and the date lines elapse and our informing travel program, program, list of papers, invitation etc., were not sent. Even after reaching ISKCON complex, also, we had to enquire and come inside the auditorium for inaugural session on 26^th March. Yes, I have to record this experience, as this could not happen, when the whole group has been so computer savvy with a lot of “Vedic-IT combo” experts. On 27^th afternoon, the receptionist gave the program list informing that the organizers asked to give it to me.

As for as Mr M. J. Nagarajan is concerned, I told Dr Alwar that he was not so comfortable with English, therefore, I could translate, if he deliver in Tamil, but, he asked Nagarajan himself to present in English. Later, we found that several scholars  presented papers in Sanskrit, Hindi and in Kannada also! Therefore, there is nothing odd or unusual that he could have presented in Tamil. Interestingly, most of the audiences were talking among themselves and with each other in Tamil proving that they knew Tamil very well. Incidentally, most of the Palm leave manuscripts have been in Tamil only. Therefore, in spite of the divides dealt with by the experts above, the dive that visibly exhibited – the Sanskrit-Tamil divide, Tamil-non-Tamil divide, question allowed-not allowed divide etc., should have been avoided for a real dialogue, so that first Indians could understand and get benefited from their manuscripts.

Valedictory function: The speech of T. V. Mohandass Pai at the Valedictory function had been the touching point of the theme of the seminar, though, he did not talk about the manuscripts, but, some important historical issues. He pointed out the clash of civilization taking place.

Quoting from Will Durant, “The Case for India,”  Robert Clive who traded money for guns and favor, East India Company, forcing Indians to sell cheap, buy exorbitantly. Extracted hundreds of millions of dollars, Indians were taxed at two times the people in England and three times in Scotland. All the costs of British conquests, developments and administration in India was charged to Indians, including the first World war, second world war, all the French battles that they had, everything was charged to Indians. The British incurred a debt for Indians of 35 million in 1792. By 1860, it would become 500 million dollars by 1929 when Will Durant left India it was 3.5 billion dollars. After that was second world war and so on. So, this figure had doubled or tripled by the time the British left India. …..the total drain from 1765 to 1938, compounded up to 2016, comes to £9.2 trillion; since $4.86 exchanged for £1 those days, this sum equals about $45 trillion. Moreover, the cost of human suffering, through famines and the loss of Indian lives in wars waged by the British to capture Indian territories, from Punjab to Assam, has not been computed. India has 30,0000 tonnes of gold. In 2030 India would be dominant. He asked crucial questions – how the nomadic people coming from the European steppes could have composed Vedas, thus questioning the AIT. He pointed out the bias in questioning the Indian legends, but accepting believing myths like resurrection etc. K. Srinivasa Rao, Secretary, Sahitya Academy pointed out the importance of  manuscripts preservation, digitization and availability of the to all.  Thathachariyar in one line accepted what Pai had spoken.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

30-03-2019

With our friend Sri Gagan and colleague Sri M. J. Nagarajan

[1] T. Chandrasekharan (Gen.Ed.), Kappal Sattiram, Madras Government Oriental Series, Government Oriental Manuscripts Library, Madras, 1950. Critically edited with introduction by T. P. Palaniyappa Pillai.

[2] D. No.1996, and D.No.1997 = TD. 75 (paper), TD.135 (Mackanzie collection), a paper manuscript containing 79 pages having 18 lines in a page.

[3] D. 2015 [T. 5084, 5085, 5086, 7250] of Government Oriental Manuscript Libarary, Madras.

[4] S. Soundarapandian, Navai Sattiram, Madras Government Oriental Series, Government Oriental Manuscripts Library, Madras, 1995.

[5] S. Srivivasa Iyer (Ed.), Kapparkovai, Mahamahopadhyaya V. Swaminatha Iyer Library, Madras, 1958, pp.xxi-xxii.

[6] I am using this expression to denote to modern IT experts, who also deal with Sanskrit, Sanskrit manuscripts, manuscripts containing data and information and conversion of them to other languages for further utility or research etc.

The proceedings of the 9th national conference on marine archaeology of Indian Ocean countries held at the Tamil University, Thanjavur on February 20th and 21st 2016

The proceedings of the 9th national conference on marine archaeology of Indian Ocean countries held at the Tamil University, Thanjavur on February 20^th and 21^st 2016

The 9th national conference on marine archaeology of Indian Ocean countries was held at the Tamil University, Thanjavur on February 20^th and 21^st 2016 organized by the Society for Marine Archaeology, NIO, Goa[1], in association with the department of Maritime history and Marine archaeology, Tamil University and Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamilnadu, Chennai. The last 8^th conference was held at Goa[2].

ASI members

About the Conference and organizers: The Society for Marine Archaeology, Goa organized the 8th National Conference on Maritime Archaeology (NCMA) in collaboration with National Institute of Oceanography and Archaeological Survey of India (Goa Circle) on July 1-2, 2013 in the memory of late Dr. S.R. Rao. The conference was supported by National Centre for Ocean and Antarctic Research, Goa, State Government of Goa and others. The National Conference on Maritime Archaeology (NCMA) was held to bring into focus the latest findings by the researchers, academicians and amateur archaeologists[3]. After three years, now, it was held in Thanjavur. The delegate fees for members was Rs.500/- and they were accommodated in the Gust House of the Tamil University. Only few invited were accommodated in the Hotels.

20-02-2016 – first day Inauguration: Around 10.48 am on February 20^th, the 9^th National conference was inaugurated with routines of inviting speeches, lighting the lamp, honouring guests etc. Instead of regular shawls, cotton shawls were offered here, so that they could be used for the purpose. N. Athiyaman welcomed all, As Rajiv Nigam and R. S. Bishit did not come, A. S. Gaur introduced the Society for Marine Archaeology, NIO, Goa to the audience gathered there. Interestingly, N. Rajendran, Rajan, Alok Tripathi, S. Rajavelu, G. Baskaran, VC, Tamil Universty and others took just three-five minutes to wind up their speeches. G. Baskaran, VC, pointed out that we were not giving importance to marine archaeology, as we gave importance space research. Oceans give food, job, and Oxygen essential for life. Of the food 20% protein and 70% Oxygen. Though we have many photographs about cosmos and sky, we do less about under water. That is why the marine archaeologists gather every year and discuss issues in the conference[4]. After that, Dr Roberta Tomber, British Museum, London and Dr P. J. Cherian, Kerala Council for Historical Research gave key-note addresses.

Another view of inauguration – AS Gaur, Adhiyama, VC, PJ Cherian, Tomber, Rajan

View of the audience RHS from the podium.

Another view of the audience LHS from the podium.

Six objects that illustrate how India’s trade with ancient Rome was conducted: Tomber, was a visiting fellow at the British Museum, who is currently working on Indian Ocean commerce through the study of Roman and non-Roman pottery from ports of the Red Sea and India. Speaking on “A history of Indo-Roman trade through its objects” as part of the 9th national conference on marine archaeology of Indian Ocean countries at the Tamil University, Thanjavur, Tomber said some gemstones, such as diamonds, garnets and sapphire were available only from India or Sri Lanka, but others including pearls, emeralds and carnelian had other known sources, including Egypt. She gave following examples:

1. A silver pepper pot,
2. gemstones,
3. black pepper,
4. cooking pots,
5. coins and
6. Roman amphorae – historian Roberta Tomber chose these six seemingly disparate and unconnected objects to show why and how Indo-Roman trade was conducted in the ancient world[5].

“The evidence from Pattanam (an ancient site near Ernakulam) clearly shows that cameo blanks were prepared in India, although they might have been finished in the Roman world,” she said. But in the case of intaglio (carving of stone or other materials), Tomber said the skills were probably transferred to India from the West. The ‘Empress’ pepper pot was part of a large Roman hoard excavated from Hoxne in the east of England. It contained more than 14,000 coins, gold jewellery, cutlery and other pepper pots. “The fact that the “Empress” is made of gilded silver shows the value with which pepper was regarded, and it was spices and particularly black pepper that drove trade between the Mediterranean and India,” said.

About Roman coins – In most cases these coins were not used monetarily, but as bullion: Tomber said the largest finds of black pepper in the Roman world come from, including an Indian storage jar containing 7.5 kilos of black pepper. In the Roman world, black pepper was a very expensive commodity. One of the few items of similar value that the Romans could exchange with India was gold and silver – which was traded in the form of coinage. “In most cases these coins were not used monetarily, but as bullion. This is supported by the defacing and reuse of Roman coins in India. Coinage was so highly valued that it was imitated, both in metal and clay,” she said. During her research, she found a very different level of interaction evidenced by the common occurrence of Indian cooking pots at Quseir al-Qadim and Berenike in Egypt. “Unlike the Indian storage jars, the cooking pots are thought to belong to Indian sailors residing on site, enabling them to cook in a manner that was familiar. Only rarely has this pottery been found beyond the Egyptian ports, further supporting that they reflect a resident community rather than trade items,” she said. Roman amphorae, according to Tomber, are another type of pottery widely found throughout the Indian Ocean and its distribution, clustering at one or two port sites, suggests that many of the amphorae were for consumption in the ports[6].

My observations on the paper of Roberta Tomber: As for as the Roman coins were concerned, first she mentioned that “……….the few items of similar value ……….was gold and silver – which was traded in the form of coinage”, however, “In most cases these coins were not used monetarily, but as bullion.” In other words, Indians purchased or exchanged them as scrap foe melting and rarely used as pendants. That is why some coins found had holes, but, interestingly, they were duplicate and manufactured dated to 18^th cent. CE. Her over emphasis about the usage of vessels by Indians and forceful interpretation about them were also intriguing.

How Roam empire disappeared, whereas Indian civilization has been continuing: P. L. Gupta pointed out about the bullion value of circulation of Roman coins in India along with wine and women. Very often, faithful Indian women were contrasted with venal Roman women[7]. Of course, many western scholars have also pointed out as to how the Roman women were so crazy about Indian beryls for their ear-drops[8]. How pepper import from India drained their annual bullion – 50 million sesterces[9] – was also well known. Contact with India affected bullion prices within Roman territories and Eastern trade developed, the Roman monetary system became less representative of actual bullion values on the Roman market[10].  When the Roman Empire collapsed, their coins were traded for metal value. As barter system was there, the European, Arab and African merchants were using metals as means of buying India goods. It has to be noted that when the ancient civilizations rose, fell and disappeared, the Indian civilization has been continuing attracting the other civilizations.

P. J. Cherian and “Pattanam excavations”: Another key-note address was given by P. J. Cherian, Director of Kerala Council for Historical Research. His presentation started with slides. The moment, the first slide was shown, the on looking delegates were curious to note “To Rohith Vemula” below the title! There were murmurs and soft discussion among the delegates who were sitting in the front two rows particularly on LHS from the dais. I asked what the significance of it was and why it was shown in the slide. For this, he told, “I will tell you…………..yes, I will explain”. I asked again as to why he wanted to bring such controversies here. But, he tried to justify, so I told him to restrict his presentation to academic proceedings and not to bring any controversy to the University here. But, he was relentless and he appeared to proceed with his agenda. So I told, “If you do like this, some may raise slogans “Pakistan Jindabad”, “Afzalguru Jindabad” and so on here”. So when I went near to the screen to take a snap, Selvakumar, immediately changed to next. I told him that I wanted to take a snap of the first slide. Immediately, he came to the dias and requested P. J. Cherian restrict to his findings at Pattanam. Then, I repeated the same in Tamil also. At last, he started his presentation showing his slides on “Pattanam excavations”! He was repeating the same point several times with many pauses. At one stage, he wanted to stress that there were points ………….he mentioned three, but, he could not tell the fourth. Interestingly, none of these Key-note addresses were given to the delegates of the Conference.

Observation on the presentation of P. J. Cherian: This was the first time that I was listening to his paper. Though, I used to read some paper reports about “Pattanam” excavations, I did not take interest in it, as there were difference of opinion reported by the archaeologists, historians and others. Dr R. Nagasamy[11], Prof A. Sundara, Rajan Gurukkal, Romila Thapar[12] and others pointed out intriguing factors in the excavations conducted and interpretations.  Prof A. Sundara leading archaeologist from Karnataka pointed out that there were no major structural remains at the site. He asked P.J. Cherian to precisely record and classify antiquities from each trench rather than pooling them together and interpreting them. Prof. Sundara told Cherian that such approaches were not adopted in field archaeology since cultural material from each trench had its validity. Prof Sundara also pointed out that the claims of structural remains from Pattanam was questionable. Dr. K. N. Dikshit former Joint Director General of Archaeological Survey of India and Secretary of Indian Archaeological Society questioned the claims of P. J. Cherian that Historical Period at Pattanam goes around 1000 BC. K.N. Dikshit asked Cherian to be cautious and review such claims since Historical Period in Peninsular India has not gone beyond 200-300BC. It was felt that the controversy could have been avoided in research, as it would only divide the experts, scholars and research.

Technical session – first day afternoon (20-02-2016): As per the “Abstracts”, there were 15 papers were included for presentation. The first session was on “Archaeology of the coastal survey of India” chaired by Dr A. Arunraj, ASI, Chennai and the following papers were presented between 2.45 and 4.15 pm:

Sl. No	Paper presenter	Title of the paper
1	A. S. Gaur and Sundaresh	Marine archaeological explorations along the South Gujarat Coast with focus on the estuaries of the river Narmada and Tapti
2	Preeta Nayar, Thiruvananathapuram – 695003, Kerala	Pattanam beads: An assessment
3	C. Veeraraghavan	Waterway transport in Rock painting
4	R. N. Kumaran and Bipan Chandra	Megaliths in District Kachchh, Gujarat.

Dr A. Arunraj not only commented on the paper presentation, but also offered suggestions for the paper presentation.

The next session was about “Temples on the coast across the sea” held between 4.15 and 5.45 pm, chaired by Prof. Sarvamangala and the following papers were presented:

Sl. No	Paper presenter	Title of the paper
1	S. Balakrishna Hegde	The Quanzhou temple and the Cholas’ connection: The maritime puzzle between the Chinese and the Cholas
2	J. Soundararajan	Monuments of coastal region in South India and their conservation and preservation
3	Young Sun Lee	Cultural Brokerage and Mediation (Jewish community in Cochin and the New Museums)

About the paper on Quanzhou temple, the chairperson expressed her doubts as to whether it could be a “Chola temple” at all. J. Soundararajan’s paper evoked about the ethics of the ways of conservation and preservation methods followed. After the technical session, there was a cultural programme at the “Karikal Cholan auditorium”, where, students performed two traditional dances with instruments. The General body meeting of the Society for Marine Archaeology, Goa was held thereafter.

The Second day – 21-02-2016 proceedings: On 21^st February, the paper reading session continued with the following papers:

	R. Dubey, R. Nigam, R. Sundaresh and A. S. Gaur	Dolavira city fortification: Tsunami / sea storm protection initiative by Harappans.
	L. N. Samy	Boat development
	C. M. Jaseera and Sreelatha Damodaran	The boat traditions of Lower Chaliyar basinm Kerala: A ethnographic approach
	K. V. Ramakrishna Rao	A Critical study of the Shipping Technology of the Cholas
	V. Selvakumar	Ceramics from Tamilnadu and Indian ocean exchange in early historic and early medieval period.

My paper also evoked the usual controversy about the existence of “Chola navy” etc., as usual. V. Selvakumar’’s suggestion about the “manufacture of ceramics in India with indigenous technology, but with imported designs on them” induced some questions. He responded that it was only his hypothesis. Tomber was suggesting the social stigma in using bowls and vessels by people, as their names were found on them. This was also questioned by others.

After lunch, five papers were presented of which three in Tamil and two in English and the session was chaired by Thiru Naga. Ganesan. Then, the conference was wound up with the valedictory function. The national anthem was not sung and it was noted conspicuously by the delegates.

[1] Society for Marine Archaeology, National Institute of Oceanography, Domna Paula, Goa – 404 004.

[2] https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2013/07/06/the-8th-conference-on-marine-archaeology-and-indian-ocean-countries-goa-2013/

[3]  http://www.nio.org/index/option/com_eventdisplay/task/view/tid/4/sid/24/eid/204

[4] Actually, the Society for Marine Archaeology conducts National conference once in three years and the last conference was held in Goa.

[5] Times of India, Six objects that illustrate how India’s trade with ancient Rome was conducted, TNN | Feb 22, 2016, 05.14 AM IST.

[6] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Six-objects-that-illustrate-how-Indias-trade-with-ancient-Rome-was-conducted/articleshow/51084564.cms

[7]  Grant Parker, The Making of Roman India, Cambridge University Press, London, 2008, 91.

[8] Michael Grant, Roman History from Coins: Some Uses of the Imperial Coinage to the Historian, Cambridge University Press, 1968, p.84

[9] A silver or bronze coin of ancient Rome equivalent to one fourth of a denarius

[10] Raoul McLaughlin, Rome and the Distant East: Trade Routes to the Ancient Lands of Arabia, India and china, Continuum, New Zealand, 2010, p.169.

[11] http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/expert-nails-false-propaganda-on-muziris-2-390263.html

In his inaugural address at a seminar on ‘Muziris heritage and Pattanam excavations — a critical review’ organised by the Muziris Heritage Preservation Forum here on 05-08-2011, Thursday, Dr. Nagaswamy, former Director of the Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department, said that many scholars had written that a part of Kodungalloor. Time has not come to identify Pattanam as Muziris, he  said.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/archaeologist-calls-for-excavations-at-kodungalloor/article2324054.ece

[12]  The nature of the settlement there, for instance, was one to be explored. Whether it was just a warehouse, or where goods were produced for trade, or whether it was a port or a site that had sequential historical development – were all matters of intrigue. The innumerable shards of amphorae (wine jars), for instance, threw open questions whether a liking for wine was deliberately cultivated in the local people, or whether these shards were just remnants of wine jars that were used for ballast in ships. The percentage of Indian pottery at the site, in contrast to imported pottery too was important, she said, adding that Pattanam, indeed, was a turning point for studies into India’s maritime relations. Dr. Thapar, however, expressed her reservations on the use of ancient DNA sampling techniques, raising doubts whether there was the danger of bacterial contaminations or mutations in samples taken from skeletons that were buried for over 2,000 years.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/pattanam-throws-open-many-questions-romila-thapar/article5123431.ece