“Tholkappiam preceded Rig Veda”

Mr. Guna, a research Scholar has released his Tamil book titled Tholkaappiyaththin Kaalam ( The Period of Tholkappiam)

Guna is an intellect well known to the Tamil enthusiasts. He relentlessly studies and propagate the antiquity of Tamil Language, Literature, Race and Culture. By this way he uncovers the truth deliberately hidden by the conspirators against Tamil Language.

His book Tholkaappiyaththin Kaalam was released in Santhome Chennai amidst much funfare on 13.08.2011. The function was lively with performances of Paraiyaattam, Chakkaikkuchchi aattam, Street play etc well organized by Thamizhar kalam.

Dr. David Prabhakar has released an introduction on this book which is translated and produced below:

Full report here Truthdive

A book throbs with Chennai

With the air in the city still lively with events, anecdotes and history of the city as part of Madras Week celebrations, here comes a book pulsating with Chennai. The Elliots Beach, Chennai Zoo, Madras Museum and other descriptions came alive here on Thursday when actor Dhritiman Chatterjee read excerpts from Tulsi Badrinath's book Man of a Thousand Chances.

The book, published by Hachette, revolves around an otherwise honest Harihar who steals a rare gold coin minted by Mughal Emperor Jahangir from the museum to meet his daughter's wedding expense, with the intention of returning it. But, when Harihar finds himself in a position to redeem it, he learns that it has been melted by the pawnbroker.

Cultural activist Ranvir Shah interspersed the reading with questions for the author. Replying to a query on choosing Elliots Beach, the author said those of us who live near the beach take it for granted. “But it actually opens up the city with the snatches of conversation… I always wanted to write a story where you never know the beginning or end, but conjures up a parallel universe,” said Ms. Badrinath, whose first novel ‘Meeting Lives' was published in 2008.

Full report here Hindu

Jaishree's secret is out!

A short interview with indian author, Jaishree Misra about her latest book A Scandalous Secret. She was in the city recently, for a book panel at Landmark. 

Jaishree Misra made a splash in the pool of Indian fiction with her auto-biographical Ancient Promises. She soon went on to release Rani and Afterwards in the subsequent years. The chirpy and ever-smiling author was in Chennai recently at a book panel in Landmark, with her new novel The Scandalous Secret. The author opens up about her new book, her protagonists and a life that revolves around her writing.

What is A Scandalous Secret about? Does it have semi-autobiographical undertones like Ancient Promises? 
No autobiographical elements whatsoever, thankfully! It's the story of a young woman (Neha) who becomes pregnant while studying as an undergraduate at Oxford University and is persuaded to give the baby up for adoption. Shattered by the experience, she returns to India and tells no one about it, not even the man she subsequently marries. Eighteen years later, however, the child she gave up (Sonya) - now herself a young woman about to start university - decides to come to India in search of her biological mother. It's a story that explores the rather unusual idea of rejection within the mother-daughter relationship.

Full interview here Times of India 

Rare manuscripts of Ramanujan to be digitised

One of the most prized possessions of the old Madras University library — a set of three handwritten notebooks of mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan — will be digitised and given to a few other libraries to preserve them for posterity and make them accessible to more researchers.

Mathematicians from around the world have, till date, been visiting the Chepauk campus library to go through the treasure trove of formulae and equations written down by Ramanujan, who was a research scholar, sponsored by the Board of Studies in Mathematics, at the university.

Mathematicians believe that the three manuscripts and a fourth one acquired by Prof G A Andrews from a library in England make a full compilation of Ramanujan’s contribution to the field of mathematics.
Scholars of advanced mathematics rate the work, titled Manuscript Book of Srinivasa Ramanujan, as “contemporary mathematics”. The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research created a facsimile edition of the book in 1957 and made two volumes of Ramanujan’s writings. The original manuscripts have also been laminated, though the writing has faded in some places.

Full report here Indian Express

Whither this National Library?

With the Anna Centenary Library just opened in Kotturpuram, what is planned for the Presidency's/ Province's/State's premier library for nearly 150 years and which has been designated as a National Library? I refer to the Connemara Public Library.

That library, designated as the State Central Library in 1950 and a National Library in 1955, had its beginnings in 1861 when the Government of Madras received hundreds of books found surplus in the libraries of Haileybury College (where Civilians for India were trained) and the India Office in Britain. This collection was sent to the Government Museum which established a separate library section with these books as its nucleus. The Madras Literary Society too had its collection there till it moved into its own premises in 1906 and the Madras University Library was also housed in the Museum till it moved in 1928 to the Marina campus. It would appear each of the three libraries had its own staff, the Museum's being part of the Museum staff till it was separated from it in 1930. In 1939, the Library became a separate institution.

It had, however, in 1896 been named the Connemara Public Library, when it moved into a new building raised next to the Museum's main block which had developed from the old Public Assembly Rooms better known as The Pantheon. Named after the Governor who had suggested that it should be a separate institution, the Connemara's first home of its own was built by Namberumal Chetty to a design by Henry Irwin. That design featured a magnificent reading hall that was only recently renovated and which stocks the Old Book Collection. What, I wonder, is the future of this collection? Is it moving to the 21st Century library or will it stay put in its splendid old surroundings but with, hopefully, easier access — at least, even to view that splendid old reading room?

Full report here Hindu

Paen to a painter

Rekha Reddy in her book “Petals and Palette” re-interprets the works of M.F. Husain through ikebana

This was more than just another book launch. It was a celebration of the confluence of art forms, of creative synergy and mutual respect between artists in different fields.

The occasion was the launch of Petals & Palette, a unique offering by ikebana expert Rekha Reddy at Taj Mount Road. In the book, Reddy does the seemingly impossible — she uses ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arrangement, to create floral re-imaginings of some of master painter M.F. Husain's works.

JUXTAPOSING ART FORMS

“It's always nice to juxtapose two art forms,” said Reddy, speaking at the packed event. “M.F. Husain's paintings have so much life and vibrancy that when I saw them, I felt moved to depict them florally.”

Full report here Hindu

CM opens library at Kotturpuram

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Wednesday, Sep 16, besides inaugurating the Anna Centenary Library at Kotturpuram in Chennai, also became its first member.

Karunanidhi in his inaugural address said the library was named after Annadurai not only as the fulfillment of a promise made in the last year’s budget, but also based on the tradition of the Dravidian movement to name learning centres after legends like Anna, Periyar and Bharathidasan.

Recalling a lecture by Anna on All India Radio in 1948 on the need for a library in every house, he said several learning facilities were run in Tiruvarur by the Dravidian movement during the same period to disseminate ideals among the people.

“If we are successful in setting up a library in the name of Anna today, it is because of the passion that was ignited during those days,” he said. Reminiscing the great passion Anna had for books, the Chief Minster touchingly said the late leader read books even when he was on death bed.

Full report here New Indian Express

Pioneering facilities for the visually challenged

The Braille section of the Anna Centenary Library to be opened soon will help people with visual impairment access books.

“This is one of the first public libraries in India to have these facilities introduced for the visually challenged, particularly with reference to books in Tamil,” said G. Arivoli, Director of Public Libraries.

“We have secured five Braille Displays, that will cover around 1,000 books in both Tamil and English initially,” he added. Using the equipment, the reader can go through the text, line by line, once the soft copy in the required format has been loaded to the instrument.

“The introduction of the Braille Display in Tamil is of great value. It will help save space, paper and energy,” said R. Jayachandran, associate professor in Tamil, Presidency College, and a person with visual impairment.

“The equipment in the Braille section cost a total of Rs. 15 lakh. We also have plans to procure the OpenBook software that converts printed pages into an electronic text format for the visually challenged.” said Mr. Arivoli.

Full report here Hindu

Five-day book collection drive concludes

2.52 lakh books collected in the five-day drive

Book-by-book, the wall is finally built, with the number crossing 2.52 lakh as on Thursday, when the five-day book donation drive for underprivileged children concluded. With generous contributions pouring in from different sections, the ‘Aviva Great Wall of Education', presented by The Hindu, at the Express Avenue Mall stands tall and majestic.

Speaking at the valedictory, N.Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, said it was a splendid effort from the people of Chennai to donate for the education of underprivileged children.

“It is not that people have given away what they do not need, rather these are books which are still precious and valuable to them,” he said, referring to titles such as Alice in the Wonderland, Under the Banyan Tree, Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography and works of Shakespeare.

Mr. Ram said queries such as who is going to benefit, how these books are going to be disbursed, the background of children getting these books would be communicated.

Full report here Hindu

Have books? Donate

Books are pouring in — The Hindu-Aviva Great Wall of Education finds encouraging response from the people of Chennai. Day One of the book donation drive saw people across age groups and professions thronging Express Avenue, to donate books that could go a long way in enlightening the lives of deprived children.

If you wish to be a part of the book donation movement, head for the mall and drop off books at The Great Wall of Education before September 9. It could be any book that children relate to. You could donate other books as well; they will be recycled and converted into notebooks for the kids supported by various NGOs.

Aviva will present donors with their pictures at the Great Wall.

Full rerport here Hindu

Book donation campaign for poor kids launched

Aviva Insurance kickstarted its book donation programme in the city at the newly-opened Express Avenue mall on Sunday.

Titled Aviva Great Wall of Education, the programme is aimed at the major metros of Kolkata and Delhi apart from Chennai. The book donation drive is for underprivileged children wherein various locations, across 300 schools, have been identified to drop off your books till September 9.

The programme in its second year now, was launched in Delhi last year where 123,000 books were collected and given to Save The Children, an NGO.

T R Ramachandran, CEO & MD of Aviva India, said that the campaign was a manifestation of a better future. Actor Kamal Haasan, the star attraction for the launch on Sunday, said that the sacred initiative was a noble drive and great way to give life to a child.

Aviva has partnered with NGOs to facilitate education to over 50,000 children by 2012.

Full report here New Indian Express

Spreading the message of sharing and learning

Kamal Haasan inaugurates book collection drive

Actor Kamal Haasan places the first set of books
on the 'Aviva Great Wall of Education' presented
by The Hindu, in Chennai on Sunday, Sep 5

It was a rather special celebration of ‘Teachers' Day' here on Sunday, when actor Kamal Haasan placed a few books he had brought on the ‘Aviva Great Wall of Education' presented by The Hindu. It marked the formal launch of a large book collection drive to support children from underprivileged sections.

“I am not wondering why I am here this morning. I am a high school drop-out. Thanks to books and my extramural teachers who taught me a lot, I am here today. They were also kind enough to lend me books,” the actor said.

Emphasising the role of books in shaping individuals and giving them access to knowledge, Mr. Haasan said the drive might look simple, but was a great one. “I feel honoured to be here.”

The ‘Aviva Great Wall of Education', presented by The Hindu in Chennai, is an initiative of Aviva Life Insurance to involve the community and collect books that would later be distributed to students of disadvantaged sections, with the support of the State's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan wing, and non-governmental organisations Save The Children and Vidyarambam Trust.

Full report here Hindu

Interactive session on being ‘Indian’

The various aspects of being ‘Indian’ were probed at ‘Meeting of the Minds,’ an interactive session on “The life and times of being Indian,” held in Chennai on Friday, September 3.

The session was organised by The Indian Immersion Centre,a wing of Global Adjustment and a centre for social, cultural and entertainment in Chennai for all expatriates, NRIs and overseas visitors.

The dialogue kicked off with participants sharing their experience of being Indian. Responding to a query on Chennai, India’s Ambassador in Bhutan Pavan K Varma said that Chennai is the cultural capital of India but over the years it was losing its shine as the cultural hub.

The dialogue took an interesting turn when the moderator asked Varma about one of his books, The Great Indian Middle Class. According to Varma, India should focus on gaining back its originality in thought and act. Similarly, the middle class should not only be residents, but should also act like citizens and think for their country.

Full report here New Indian Express

Book collection drive for underprivileged children

Come Sunday, everyone in Chennai will have an opportunity to make a small contribution to a cause requiring a large amount of effort – educating children from underprivileged sections.

The Hindu presents ‘Aviva Great Wall of Education', a book collection drive that seeks to source as many books as possible for children and raise the general awareness about the several million children who do not have access to schools.

The initiative will be launched at the Express Avenue Mall, Royapettah, on September 5 and go on till September 9. Anyone who wishes to donate books for children could come to the venue and place their books on the ‘wall' to be set up at the venue.

Books are also to be collected by placing drop boxes at different schools and other venues in the city.

Full report here Hindu

Keeping them hooked to books

In a few weeks, many underprivileged children in the state will hold a book that was given to them by someone like us in Chennai, who had a few books to spare. Giving them this opportunity is the ‘Aviva Great Wall of Education’ presented by The Hindu, a book donation drive that targeted at children at the elementary school level. And who better than authors of children’s books to tell us what would keep little minds interested?

Gita Wolf who has authored more than 15 books for children, feels that books should be fun and not didactic. “An interesting narrative with a lot of pictures thrown in is the perfect blend that makes children respond positively,” she says.

Anushka Ravishakar, who is another popular children’s books author feels that children deserve to hold books that look good and are nicely produced. “An encyclopedia for instance is something that would capture the child’s mind simply because it is most often very beautifully done and has a lot interesting information flanked by big pictures,” she says.

Full report here Hindu

Family and friends

Cartoonist P. C. Balasubramaniam releases his collection of cartoons, Pheroze L. Vincent reports

Amidst his excited relatives and students, 24-year-old cartoonist-film maker-poet-actor Balasubramaniam released his collection of cartoons on August 20. The book, Cartoonism, was released by Chitrakala Academy president V. Jeevananthan, in the presence of RJ Selvaraj of Suryan FM and Rotarian V. S. V. Senthil at Hotel Sree Annapoorna, R.S.Puram.

Formerly a teacher of film studies and photography and PSG CAS' Visual Communication department, Balasubramaniam decided to compile his doodles after reading one of cartoonist Sudhir Dar's books a couple of years back. Captioned in Tamil, the book has cartoons on films, politics and life.

Bala, as his friends call him, admits he's a funny guy and his sense of humour has “positive and negative effects” on him. “I get my sense of humour from my mother. There's always some comedy happening at home,” he adds. His mother M. Seetha presented Jeevananthan the first copy of the book.

Full report here Hindu

‘Party, but clean up’

Words are her forte and when she’s at it, they just flow.

Writer Tishani Doshi, who launched her debut novel recently, shares a complex relationship with the city. “It is inspiring, unlike barren cities like London,” says this Chennaiite of Welsh-Gujarati descent. Though she loves travelling, the allure of Madras keeps pulling her back. We shoot some questions to her ...

Chennai in a word...
Muggy-magic

One thing you miss about the Madras that was...
The drive-in Woodlands

One thing you’re upbeat about the Chennai that is....
Idlis will never go out of style!

One landmark that defines the city...
The Sunday crowd at Marina beach

Full report here Times of India 

English-language pulp fiction translates to success in India

Hindi and Tamil paperbacks, the gaudy equivalent of American dime novels and British penny dreadfuls, were a staple of old India, sold at the country's railway stations, bus depots and chai stands. Now, a push to translate them into English is creating new fans for the genre among middle- and upper-class Indians.

Thousands of such titles were published starting in the 1920s. Many are household names. They include campy vampire serials, supernatural thrillers, and a slew of Hindi crime novels featuring fast-talking detectives, multiple murders and crowds of prostitutes. Pulp fiction written in Tamil, a major language of South India, is peopled with Hindu sorcerers, overblown evil scientists and tortured inter-caste lovers.

"These stories are from the heart of India," said Kaveri Lalchand, co-director of Chennai's Blaft Publications, which has issued several popular English-language anthologies of Tamil yarns rounded up from household cupboards and coffeehouses. "What's great about them is that they're not being written abroad or by people sitting in universities."

Full report here Washington Post 

Mega, micro Bible draw crowd at expo

The heaviest printed Bible in the country, weighing 7 kg, was displayed amidst 800 varieties of the holy book in every size, shape, material and colour conceivable.

On display at the 5th edition of Chennai International Christian Book Fair, the heavyweight — holy book — had a viewership unmatched excepting its direct competitor, the 10-gm Bible. Barely legible, due to the absence of a suitable magnifier, the micro-Bible certainly caused a few strained eyes, as the exhibition was declared open on Monday.

Exhibited to attract audiences to the fair, the record-holding Bibles were not all about size. “This Bible can be washed in any detergent. Cent per cent waterproof!,” explained an usher, proudly, of the green-jacketed ‘Water-proof Bible’. Rumour had it, that the model had been devised for usage at sea, where in the event of any calamity, the Holy Word would not sink, even if the vessel did.

Full report here New Indian Express

Tea and sundal with Tamil writers every month

It could be a scene from a novel: Famous Tamil writers and connoisseurs gather around a well in a leafy green backyard to discuss literature and the arts, while sipping on hot chai and nibbling sundal. Tamil writer Gnani has brought the scene to life at his home in KK Nagar, where such meetings held on the second Sunday of every month.

"The moment I saw the well in the backyard of the house I was renting, I had visions of people who loved the arts gathered around it in the evenings, discussing literature, music and movies," says Gnani. He called his friend, scriptwriter Bhaskar Sakthi, and Keni Ilakkiya Sandhippu (literary meeting around well) was started at No 39 Alagirisamy Road in KK Nagar. In the last year, writers such as Ashokamitran, Ki Rajanarayanan, Jeyamohan, S Ramakrishnan, Prapanchan, Nanjil Nadan, Sukumaran, Dilip Kumar, Tamilselvan and Bama, film director Balu Mahendra and Mahendran have addressed Keni meetings.

"We thought it would be a small affair but 70 people attended the first meeting. There were 90 at the second and now we have an average of 200 people attending every meeting, including my landlord, who loves the idea" says Gnani.

Full report here Times of India