" let us not forget the British dug out our history and educated us...Indus as well as a lot of temples which were in ruins including our beloved bigtemple, so the average Joe public who doesn't know this because we don't have enough of it in our history books...its only Indus..Kushans..Moarya..gupta..Asokha..Harsha..Mughals...british(half a page on Tamil kings and Vijayanagaram..)"
Dear sri,
You have almost echoed my feelings.
I was watching the Big temple last week-end..
and recalled the work of KOTTAYUR SIVAKKOZHUNDU DESIGAR - who was patronised by the Sarfojis - in the 19th Century...
He has written PERUVUDAYAR ULA ...
He mentioned - a Tamil Scholar in the 19th century - that the Big temple was built by KARIKALAN ?!
That should have been hearsay..
and No one knew that it was built by the Emperor Rajaraja (I) !!
Cholas meant Karikalan to them (to the masses in the same locale !?).
It was Prof Hultz (the British) who revealed that these inscription did denote other names... and could read.. and could give us OUR HISTORY..
And believe - Contemporary ackowledged Scholars did express / confirm this view ...
I wanted to add about the karikalan bit and to me it is just a recollection so did nor opine...
I trust the fuction was a grand success
Sri
If I can stop one heart from breaking,I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching,Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin, Into his nest again, I shall not live in vain. Emily Dickinson
I don't want to over-praise Westerners, but we did take an interest in your history, and many of those men who laboured for decades --decifering manuscripts, puzzling out murthis, -- were not in it for 'gain', only for understanding. They were fascinated by your wonderful culture, as am I. . . Cut us some slack, please. . . kathie