Date:17/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/17/stories/2008081756030500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Steps to protect inscriptions being taken”

Special Correspondent

— Photo: M. Vedhan

Department of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Commissioner T. Pichandi with epigraphist Iravatham Mahadevan (right) at a function in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: As part of the efforts to protect stone inscriptions in temples, sandblasting is being avoided when the shrines are being renovated. Instead, other methods such as using water is being adopted, State HR and CE Commissioner T. Pichandi said on Saturday.

Also plans are afoot to put up boards outside the temples which convey the message contained in such inscriptions in temples. For instance, there was a stone inscription at Uthiramerur which carried a message on elections.

Such evidences including ancient coins and Tamil literature reflected the rich Tamil history and they should be preserved. The work of renowned experts threw light on the history.

Mr. Pichandi was speaking after launching ‘Varalaaru.com golden jubilee special issue’ at a function here to mark the release of a felicitation volume of renowned epigraphist Iravatham Mahadevan by Varalaaru.com and the Dr. M. Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research. The print copy was received by the Director, Dr. M. Rajamanikkanar Centre for Research in Journalism, Chennai, M.R. Arasu.

CD released

The Commissioner, State Department of Archaeology, K. Arulmozhi, who released the Airavati CD, said that research on stone inscriptions served as guidance to youngsters.

Referring to an earlier speaker who said there were several vacancies in the post of epigraphists in the department, he said several epigraphists had retired.

Their services were now being utilised for consultancy in the Institute of Epigraphy which offered a post-graduate diploma course. The matter relating to vacancies would be looked into.

‘Airavati,’ a book, was released by Prof.Y.Subbarayalu, Coordinator, Historical Atlas for South India, French Institute, Pondicherry.

In his acceptance speech, Iravatham Mahadevan said the State and Central governments should take steps to protect Tamil brahmi stone inscriptions which faced destruction.