Commerical Edition of PROF. SWAMINATHAN's MAHABALIPURAM Coffee-Table -published with the support of MARG Mr. Reddy (SWARNABHOOMI - SEZ DEVELOPERS in ECR - TN ) with wonderful photographs by our dear Ashok Krishnaswamy was presented to Hon'ble Minister Thangam Thennarasu by MARG Mr. Reddy yesterday evening in a well-attended function at TAG Centre, Alwarpet.
Ms. Leela Samson, Director - Kalakshetra shared the dias. "Kadalodi" NARASAYYA presided over. All those who spoke - appreciated the efforts by Prof Swaminathan and the photographs by Ashok Krishnaswamy.
Compaired by Badhri - Kizhakkupadhippagam.
Pradeep Chakravathy ( conducted about 30 temple tours in an around Chennai ) Software specialist spoke very well. His talk was precise. Suggested a convenient edition for Children on Mahabalipuram and similar Heritage sites.
MARG Reddy was impressed with the presence of large number of Who-is-Who - Heritage Lovers in Chennai from various walks of life.. like Writer Indira Parthasarathy - Hari / Hindu Mission Hospital, CV Subramnian / Atomic Energy, - Subramanian / Sudharshan Engg. Pudukottai .. apart from Dr. Sathyamuthy, Dr. Sridhar (State Archaelogy), Mr, KN Ramachandran IAS.,, and the alike.
Prof Baluswamy (Specialist in Bageeratha / Arjuna Penance ) speech was very much motivating towards preservation of our Cultural assets.
"" ..Our Forefathers have given us these CULTURAL ASSETS for us to hold and cherish and pass on to the next generation - for 1000s and 1000s or years - withstanding Invasions too !!
.. what right do we have to be a spectator when such assets are perished right in front of our eyes .. ?
.. Apart from the ANCIENT PAINTINGS - say of Pallavas like Vaikundaperumal temple or Cholas (at the bigtemple) or Pandyas @ Chithannavasal .. and similar fewer ones - are there Direct Evidences as to how our Ancestors lead the lifestyle, what was the costumes -weaponaries they used and other important social & cultural events which too place ?
And what right we have to allow these to perish.. like the one which got perished @ Pulivanam - in the name of Temple renovation or whatever reason... ? ... "
It was a soul searching speech - which was endorsed by the Hon'ble Minister too ...
All those present agreed that there is some good amount of momentum gained in the cause of preserving Heritage and more awareness is being created at rural levels too ..
Hon'ble Minister informed that this year (2010-11) in 6th Class - a new lession - REGARDING " DHARASURAM " is added. Similar lessons will slowly get extended to other classes etc., etc.
And the First Batch of YOUTH CULTURAL CLUBs is likely to be launched before December 2010.
Times of India reporter - Sandhya - who well reported our dear Vijay's Poetry-in-Stone reported these in detail in today's TOI Chennai edition.
Prof Swaminathan's power point was reserved for the best happening - touching upon ::
1. CREATE CULTURAL PUZZLES. 2. CREATE GIFT ARTICLES WHERE CULTURAL ASSETS FIGURE. ( MARG Reddy exhibited a coloured Ceramic Flowervase wherein Varahamandapam of Mahabalipuram was printed ) 3. Create Drapes with Cultural Assets printed.. 4. Children Books re Cultural Assets. 5. Create small groups of 5 - 10 members and create more awareness re Cultural Assets and heritage preservation in your neighbourhood !!
After the programme was over, an Exhibition by Ashok Krishnaswamy using some of the Large-siezed Photos (which he published in the book) was unveiled and was very much informative.
As Prof Baluswamy rightly observed :: THAT WAS AN EVENING MAKING ANOTHER GRAND EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF OUR HERITAGE ..
Hon'ble Minister Thangam Thennarasu is well aware of our Group activities and has kindly consented to attend another compact meet - coinciding with the presence of our respected member Katherine from the United States... hopefully in the first week of December 2010.. and Times of India has agreed to cover the same.. our dear member Shaswath was also present.
Respected member Seethalakshmi Madam (Retd Director / Govt of Tamilnadu) is also now in Chennai (from the USA ) and has agreed to invite Collector Thiruvannamalai - Heritage enthusiast - to such a meet.
Let us workout some purposeful agenda for such meet and revert soon.