I don't know how many of you have heard of this name : Araichi Perarignar Mylai seeni Venkatasamy. I myself learnt about him only a month before.
Accidentally, I came across a book called "Mundram Nandhivarman" by this scholar. The publishers have been kind enough to include a very detailed biography of this esteemed tamil scholar who has devoted his entire life for the sake of historic research in tamilnadu.
I was literally moved to tears, after reading his life and works. He was not educated properly beyond 10th or so but took great interest in tamil history during the early phase of life. He spend some time in some political magazines but gave up the job and became a teacher so that he can spend more time in historic research.
He wrote 30+ books in his career - amidst great financial difficulties and without proper recognition till his very end. This is the respect our people showed to a great scholar who did not even marry - so that he can devote his entire lifetime in research.
I need not tell you that not many books of his has seen second reprint and alas ! SOME OF HIS INTENSE RESEACH WORKS WERE NOT EVEN PUBLISHED !!!
But not all is lost - thanks to groups like ours ! The author's works have been made public by the government and we can actually try to bring all of his research works online. This is the fitting tribute we can do for this great scholar.
I have already begun some initial work on this and having 2 of his books.
* Mundram Nandivarman - Probably the only work available on this Pallava king * Pazhangala Thamizhar Vanibam - Trade practices in ancient tamilnadu
Both are most interesting to read and are supplimented by maps etc. all drawn by the scholar by his own hands. Mundram nandivarman has very interesting analysis on the lifetime of Manikavasagar etc. in appendix.
Now we have to get in touch with the publishers and see where we can get rest of the books so that we can acquire them and bring them online. I'm sort of getting them out through our websites and possbily make it a 3rd activity in PS-Varalaaru.
I'll make the beginnings for this today by posting his detailed life story and books written by him in PS Group file section (if it is working!!) or varalaaru.