Cleanings
Yaalpaanam Women Academics on Chola rule
K.S. Sivakumaran
Seldom have we heard the voices of academics from the University of
Yaalpaanam in Colombo. Recently we heard their views on the different
aspects of Chola rule at a research seminar organised by the Department
of Hindu Culture which has already been mentioned in these columns.
Among the bright academics were women too. This week let us focus on the
main points of their papers which they read.
Subadhini Ramesh of the English Department (Linguistics), Kalaivani
Ramanathan of the Department of Hindu Civilisation, Selvaranjitham
Sivasubramaniam of the Thamil Department, Manonmani Sanmugadas and A. N.
Krishnaveani of the Department of Fine Arts were some of the ladies who
spoke.
I shall brief. The purpose here is to let the non-Thamil speaking
readers know how their fellow Lankans belonging to the Thamil community
are doing towards University Education. Let's begin with Dr A N
Krishnaveany's paper. She spoke of Thamilian Aesthetics based on the
Grammar books produced during the Chola period.
What I give below is the highlight of her talk.
* Views on Aestheticism can be discerned through Thamil poetics. The
concept of Aestheticism per se was not developed then.
* Poetic Art is based on language. We could decipher the aesthetics
through the grammar pertaining to language.
Dr. Subadhini Ramesh approached the Sunthara Cantos in Kamba
Ramayanam from 'a linguistic point of view'.
* The linguistic style of writing during the Chola period was full of
Sanskrit influence and a hybrid style of writing combining Sanskrit and
Thamil words.
* The technique of writing is based on linguistic styles. The
classification includes techniques involving sound or rhythm, techniques
regarding the use of word, techniques in terms of meaning and phrases.
She reminded that R. S. V. Subramanian has written a book titled
Kamban Ilakkiya Uththikal (Literary Techniques of Kamban)
Professor Kalaivani Ramanathan read a paper on the Original Works on
'Saiva Sidhantham in Sanskrit'.
* The origin of Saiva Siddhantham concepts can be found in Sanskrit
at various stages.
* The concept of Saiva Siddhantham originated first in works in
Sanskrit.
* The concept of Saiva Siddhantham evolved with the influence of the
Vedas, Upanishads, Sivagamam, and commentaries on Siddhandam.
Dr Manoanmani Sanmugadas spoke on 'Grammatical Works' during the
Chola period.
She outlined her paper as follows:
* Evidence in Grammar works during the period
* Defining the Chola period in the history of Thamil Grammar
* The grammatical works and their special features
* The importance of the period in the history of Thamil grammar
* The change and growth in the tradition of grammar
* The Chola period grammatical works gaining importance in the
future.
Dr. Selvaranjitham Sivasubramaniam spoke on the 'Evolvement of
Grammar' during the period.
* The grammatical Works included Veeracholiyam, Neminatham, Nanool,
Yapaunkalam, Yaparunklakarikai, Nambiahap Porul and Dandi Alankaram.
* Influence of Sanskrit and religions like Buddhism, Jainism and
Vaishnavism were felt and they influenced in the evolvement of Thamil
grammar during the period.
There were other women academics from Yaalpaanam and Eastern
Universities.
There were also other women scholars who read papers which were of
interest to students and others eager to know their golden past during
the Chola Empire that existed between 850 A.D and 1279 A.D.
As a student of Literature in general and particularly of Thamil
Literature I gained a lot of knowledge in understanding the Chola Period
in Indian History during the three day seminar projected by Emeritus
professor in History, S. Pathmanathan. I was happy to see Prof
Sudharshan Seneviratne on the Podium in one of the days.
Such events can make our various communities come together and shun
chauvinism.
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