Our Recent Activities (APRIL 2012):
At the beginning days of the PCHR, we sponsored two days seminar organized by the Archaelogical Society of Tamilnadu on 23rd and 24th July 2011 at Hotel Tamilnadu, Madurai. More than 200 participants attended in the two days seminar. About 25 papers were presented and two endowment lectures were delivered. One Endowment lecture was delivered by Dr. C. Santhalingam, Secretary of PCHR. Very good response was evoked by the local colleges and general public for the two day seminar. Because of the good coverage and publicity given by the local dailies, aftermath response was very encouraging and by this new enrollment of members for our PCHR is increased.
During our recent field visit we deciphered two Vatteluthu inscriptions at Thirupparankundra, hitherto not published. These two inscriptions are dated to 9-10 C.A.D which reveal the names of the executers of the Jain Bas-relief sculptures. The texts of these two inscriptions are given below.
Our team recently deciphered and published in the local newspapers on new Tamil Brahmi inscription at Kilakuilkudi Village on the basis of the information given by Mr. Muthukumar a research scholar from Tamil University, Thanjavur. The inscription was deciphered by our members Dr. C. Santhalingam, Mr. P. Rajendran and Mr. C. Chandravanan. Photographs of the estampages were sent to the opinion of scholars like, Iravatham Mahadevan and Professor. Y. Subbarayalu. This record is assigned to 2nd C.B.C.
Epigraphical training classes were conducted by our members at various colleges in our research area. Students from Vivekananda College, Thiruvedakam, Government Arts College Sivagangai and Government Womens College, Pudukkottai were benefited by these classes. These classes were organized by the respective District Museum Curators of the State Government.
Our team members visited Avinasi Appar Siva temple at Devaram town in Theni district. They deciphered two Tamil inscriptions dated to 17th C.A.D. Local people evinced keen interest in reconstructing this dilapidated temple. An organizing Committee was also instituted to undertake furthere works. From these inscriptions the land donations made by the local Jamindar Ilakkayya Nayakkar was known.
Archaelogoical survey of India is celebrating its 150th year anniversary. In connection with this the All India Radio, Kodaikkanal Branch (Kodai FM) is broadcasting 5 minutes lecture on Historical monuments daily 7:25 AM to 7:30 AM Dr. C. Santhalingam Secretary of PCHR had delivered continuous lectures for two months, In December 2011 and March 2012. Two more series of lectures are to be delivered by him in the forthcoming months. Very good response is evoked by these lectures. Feedbacks from the Radio lovers are very encouraging for this programme.
Our President Mr. P. Rajendran and Secretary Dr. C. Santhalingam participated and presented papers at the seminars on Classical Tamil held at Tuticorin St. Mary’s College during February 2012. Both of them participated and presented papers at the seminars held at Chennai, organized by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil held during 28th and 29th March 2012.
Green Walk Programme
About 200 people from various walks of life aged from six to sixty are participating every month in Green Walk Program. So far eleven such programmrs were organized and conducted by Mr. Muthukrishnan, a social worker based at Madurai and other art lovers. Dr.C. Santhalingam, Secretary PCHR, Madurai participated in all these walks and delivered lectures regarding the particular monument they visited.
Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Madurai Chapter celebrated Madurai Vizha at Tamukkam ground Madurai on 25th to 27th February 2012. On the last day about 25 experts were honoured on their respective fields were honoured with the certificate of Excellence. Our Secretary (PCHR) Dr. C. Santhalingam also was honoured for his service of excellence in the field of Archaeology and Epigraphy.
Our Recent Activities (DECEMBER 2012):
2000 years old burial urns with othere burial utensils were unearthed at the higher secondary school campus at Mallankinaru Village in Virudhunagar District. This accidental discovery came to be known when the construction workers were digging the earth for erecting a new were digging the earth for erecting a new structure. The urn was compararatively big in size measured 1.05 cm height and 60 cm diameter. Interestingly on the outer surface of the urn two protruding points are seen which may be considered as breasts. From this the archaeologists consider the urn might have been worshipped as a fertility goddess.
Some more potteries in full size and legged jars are also collected from the same trench with the urn. This place was visited by Mr. P. Rajendran, Dr. C. Santhalingam and Mr. B. Athmanathan, the office bearers of PCHR. (Pandya Nadu centre For Historical Research, Madurai). They assigned the date of this burial urn as more than 2000 years. They also stated that the site around the Government School was already explored so many times and confirmed this site with rich potential of Megalithic period evidences.
One new inscription dated back to early 18th century C.E is discovered recently by the scholars of Pandya Nadu Centre for Historical Research (PCHR) at Palaiyanur villag near Thiruppuvanam in Sivagangai District.
The inscription is engraved on a slab stone planted on a bund of an irrigation tank at Palaiyanur village. It is dated to 1717 C. E. belongs to the reign of Sethupathi Kaththa Regunatha Devar. It mentions a donation of Devadana land given to Kailasanatha temple by one Udaiyathevar for the merit of Regunatha Sethupathi. On the backside of the inscribed slab one trident symbol is engraved with sun and moon on the top. Kailasanatha temple is now housed in a small hut like building and it is called by the villagers as Neeli temple Palaiyanur Neeli story (myth) is very popular among Tamil folks. Neeli, a destitute wife of a merchant killed him for his illegal second marriage at Palaiyanur, North Arcot District, (Thiruvalangadu). But no temple is built for Neelil in Tamilnadu, except this Palaiyanur in Sivagangai District. Based on the information given by Mr. Santhana Kumar a Research Scholar the inscription is deciphered by Mr. P. Rajendran, President and Dr. C. Santhalingam, Secretary of Pandya Nadu Centre for Historical Research Neeli myth is for the first time is referred to in Sambanthar Devaram. Again it is elaborated by Umapathi Sivachariya in his Sekkilar Puranam.
This village Palaiyanur is situated on an ancient trade root from Madurai to Ramesvaram via Manamadurai. This new finding reveals the Sethupathis contribution to Kuppalnaththam village near sedapatti town was explored by the office bearers of PCHR. They visited the 9th C. A. D. Jain Sculptures and cleaned them with the help of the local people. The people of nearby villages are worshipping these Jaina Images as their Saivite Gods. With co-operation of them 100 Tamil Jains from Vandavasi region performed a puja t this place and pleased to know this ancient location for the first time.
On behalf of PCHR monthly special lecture was conducted on 26th August 2012 at our office. Dr. Palaniyappan (USA) had delivered a special lecture on “Early Social History of Tamils – A Multi Disciplinary approach”. About 30 scholars from the Madurai Kamaraj University and local colleges were attended. The lecture was well received with number of interactions from the audience.
Madakkulam, the famous irrigation source of Madurai town is situated to the West of Madurai.
Recently the members of Pandya Nadu Centre for Historical Research (PCHR) Dr. C. Santhalingam, Mr. B. Athmanathan, and Mr. Sridhar surveyed the Madakkulam village area and discovered the dilapidated structure of 10th – 11th Century A. D.
These structures are constructed by burnt brick which is measured as 28 * 13 * 4 CM. All the Sangam period sites which were excavated yielded the bricks in the measure of 35 * 18 * 5 CM. For example, Mangulam excavation has yielded the same size of bricks. According to the present discovery the structures are assigned to 10th – 11th Century A. D. Not only bricks but also “L” Shapped roof tiles are also collected in considerable number. These “L” shaped tiles are available in all over Tamilnadu wherever excavated. From these evidences we can infer one brick structure was existed during the medieval period (i.e.) Later Pandya Period at Madakkulam Village.
General Body meeting of the PCHR was convened on 3.9.2012 (Sunday) at our office premises. Number of life members and executive members attended and six resolutions were passed. In the afternoon one seminar session was organized. Mr. Mellai Nedumaran Social Scientist delivered a special address. Dr. V. Manickam Engineer. Mr. Prabakaran and Engineer. Mr. Poovalingam also spoke.
Senior members of PCHR Dr. S. Rajagopal, Dr. C. Santhalingam and Dr. Rajavelu attended four day seminar at Colombo organized by the Hindu Religious Department Sri Lanka. (04.10.2012 – 14.10.2012) They presented papers and visited some important monuments and explored some areas where new Brahmi Inscriptions discovered.
PCHR treasurer Dr. S. Rajagopal organized Epigraphical training at Koviloor Atheenam Mutt at Koviloor. Dr. C. Santhalingam, Secretary, (PCHR).
Our Secretary Dr. C. Santhalingam delivered special address at the seminar organized by the Department of History, Lady Doak College, Mdurai on Early Pandyan Art.
Dr. C. Santhalingam Secretary, (PCHR) delivered a special address about origin and Development of Vatteluthu to the students from London at Tamil University, Department of Epigraphy.
Two heritage tours on Monuments were organized by PCHR with collaboration of Green Walk organizers, Madurai. One on 16.09.2012 about sixty five members from various walks of life participated and visited Kalugumalai, Tirumalapuram, Sankaran koil. Virasikamani and Srivilliputhur. Second programme was conducted on 23.12.2012 with seventy five members who visited Kodumbalur, Kudimiyanmalai, Sittanavasal and Tirumeyyam. They enjoyed the tour and delighted to know the historical details of each monument. Dr. C. Santhalingam, Secretary, (PCHR) delivered lectures at each monument.
