Naa Govindasamy

Naa Govindaswamy passed away in Singapore, on 26 May 1999 at the relatively young age of 52. He was one of the pioneers of the Tamil digital renaissance of the 20th century. Tamils living in many lands have lost an enthusiastic and gifted worker who had contributed much to nurture their growing togetherness. The print revolution brought Tamil from the ola leaves to paper, from the select few literati to the many. The digital revolution...

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Karpaka Vinayakar Temple, Pillayarpatti

This image of Ganesha is bound to be familiar to anyone of Tamil origin; however, little is known to many about the fact that this is an image of the rock cut Karpaka Vinayakar Shrine at Pillayarpatti near Karaikkudi at one of the oldest Cave Temples (Rock Cut) temples of Tamilnadu. Pillayarpatti is situated between Pudukkottai and Karaikkudi. The nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli. Chennai Rameswaram Express and Kamban Express travel to these...

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Serene messages in stone

The Hindu Silent sentries: Jain sculptures at Anaimalai Photo: K. Ganesan Jainism had flourished around Madurai and this can still be seen in the caves and inscriptions that abound there. Madurai is a city of confluence where different faiths flourished through the ages. One religion was Jainism. Evidence to its presence and reach are found in stone inscriptions and sculptures found on the hillocks around the city. The history of Jainism can...

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Appar-Thirunavukkarasar

A detailed account of Saint Appar’s life is given by Sekkilar in his Thiruttonddarpuranam. Sekkilar sings the story in 428 verses under the chapter ‘Thiruninrasargam’. The chapter derives its name from the epithet given to Appar by Sundaramurti. Appar was born and brought up at Thiruvamur, in Thirumunaipadinadu, on the banks of the river Pennai. He was born in a Velan family to Puhalanar and Madiniyar. The coupld had first a daughter...

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