Mr.SB's mails on the above book are most interesting.
And if a person as learned as Kudanthai N.Sethuraman is writing such a book, then the credibility is certainly very very high. True that many "one day" naadi josiam people have made this great art a very cheap trick - but this does not mean the art itself is to be blamed at.
Mr.Sethuraman was heading raman and raman co in Kumbakonam and is one of the exponents of archaeology and astrology. He effectively made use of his astrological knowledge in his archaeological findings / analysis - his research papers are a feast to the initiated.
Dr.JB has written a detailed series titled "Varungala viyal". Not sure if it is available on the net - if yes, can one of you kindly provide me the URL ?
Mr. SB - who is the publisher of ARULUDAI CHOLAMANDALAM ? Would like to get a copy of the same.
-Dear Mr. Gokul, Thank you. The book is written by N.Sethuraman. After his demise, his wife Mrs. Lalitha Sethuraman is handling these matters. Address : Mrs. Lalitha Sethuraman, Raman & Raman Pvt Ltd., Pidarikulam Road, Kumbakonam, Tanjore Dt. Cost varies. Cholas, Early cholas, Aruludai Cholamandalam cost me about thousand rupees a couple of years back. She prefers to sell to this to people who have genuine interest in the subject.
Mr. Kielborn has developed a book on astronomical data pertaining to early ages, based on which Mr. Sethuraman has developed several interesting theories. Dr. Kalaikkovan told me that the book written the data specified in this book, we can deduce " Karkadaka masathu punarvasu Gnayiru .. with certain planetary postions as 17th August 985!" the day Rajaraja ascended to the throne! The work is remarkable.
Personally I have great attachment to Rajaraja I and Rajendra I alone. Now only I am looking into the details of their heirs. Sethuraman's Cholas is talking more about their heirs.
Dear Mr.SB, I happened to read a book "Kudanthai Senthuraman Aivu Katturaigal" by sekar publications. This is the first and only book I've read from the author.
Even in this book, Sethuraman talks a lot about astronomical details. Your details about the book in St.Joseph college is most interesting - it will be very useful for all of us:-)
Another breakthrough of sethuraman was that he was able to deduce the correct period for "Yandu" which is equivalent but not same as our aandu (a year). With this, he was able to take a relook at most of the dates claimed by other history authors and was able to fix it.
His aricles on "Thirumurai Thogutha kaalam", "Naalvar Kaalam" are excellent.
He has also proved that Raajarajeswaram is not a renovated version of Thanjai Talikkulathar aalayam. This ancient temple existed even after the completion of periya koil but seems to have succumbed to destruction at a later date.