Thanjavur family History (in brief)
Recalling an incident on this great man’s legacy.
CRN mama found in Boston a copy of PVN Sasthri's 'Siddhanta Kaumudi' a treatise on Sanskrit grammar. The treatise was published by P.V.Nagantaha Sathri's son Professor T.N.Muthuswamy Iyer. Shri T.M.Mahadevan (Prof Muthuswamy's student) had helped Professor T.N.Muthuswamy in speeding up the publication of the Siddhanta Kaumudi volume 1. (Published by Motilal Banarsidas)
P.V.Naganatha Sastry was to Married to Meenakshi ammal (1875 to 1925) (Daughter of Muthuswamy Iyer of Madurai. See details in Madurai section).
They had 11 children. The below is taken from the Genealogy tree done by shri Naganatha Sastry’s son shri T.N.Muthuswamy.
a. Mohambal married to Subba Iyer of Thirukargavoor.
b. T.N.Vaidhyanathan married to Pichammal (Pichammal was the daughter of Venkatarama Iyer –founder of Madura college & also T.N.Vaidhyanathan’s maternal uncle)
c. T.N.Kalidasan married to Saraswathi
d. Chellammal (a.k.a Cadavasal Patti) married to Cadavasal Rama Iyer (refer to Cadavsal family in the subsequent sections)
e. T.N.Muthuswami (Geology Professor,Presidency college,Annamalai University,Saugar University M.P)
f. Parvathy married to Duraiswami
g. Kamakashi married to Umayalpuram Muthuswamy
h. Lakshmi married to R.Jayaramana
i. T.N.Subramaniam (The child died when he was 5 years old)
j. Gowri married to R.Appuswamy
k. T.N.Viswanathan married to Savithri
Professor T.N.Muthuswamy Iyer
There is one little gem that CRN mama recalls always.
His paternal grandfather C R Kunjithapatham Iyer and maternal grandpa PV Naganatha Sasthri were good friends, perhaps class fellows in Law. There was a talk of CDL patti (lokanayaki) being "reserved" for CDL Ramaiyer, but when they compared horsocopes, it was found that CDL patti was born in Aayilyam Nakshathram and that was not conducive to the longevity of the mother in law. The matter was shelved. Senior CRK Iyer lost his wife. One fine day CRK Iyer came from Nagappattinam to see PV Naganatha Sastri and told him that the only impediment for the marriage is not there any more and the alliance should be firmed up.
Apart from CRN hearing of this incident from his mother, his maternal uncle T N Viswanathan, who incidentally was the son-in-law of Mayavaram Srinivasa Sarma (Sundappa's father) used to quote his father as saying," Senior CRK [grandfather of CRK/CRN] was a wonderful man. Economically and socially he occupied a very enviable status. This was an example of his graciousness".
P V Naganatha Sasthri, (1867 to 1939) a.k.a Thanjavur Naganatha Sastry was a distinguished Sanskrit Scholar and a lawyer of no mean repute. He is the son of Vengu Sastry. They were originally from PudhukottaiIn fact the estate that the Vadapathimangalam family own is due to this man’s excellent presentation of the Hindu law of adoption to the Privy Council. This case is seminal in the legal interpretation and the case is called “Sundaratthanni vs. Ramanuja”.
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| Shri P.V.Naganatha Sasthry (1867-1930) Sanskrit Scholar & Lawyer |
Recalling an incident on this great man’s legacy.
C.R Natarajan (Grandson of Shri Naganatha Sastry) was a close friend of K Rajagopal, brother-in-law of V S T. His father Kuppuswamy Mudalair was active in the management of the Thiru Arrooran Sugars. When CRN was in Beardsells, he met him to get business for Jute bags.During the conversation he realized that CRN was the grandson of P V Naganatha Sasthri, connecting the parentage. He called the person in charge of purchases and told him in Tamil, "In future you must give business to Natarajan as long as he is in Beardsells. Do not worry about the price". After the purchase clerk left , Kuppuswamy Mudaliar told me that the estate they enjoy is due to Naganatha Sasthri's exposition of Hindu Law. We always talk about the sins of the fathers, here is the munificence of the grandfather!
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| Cover page of Vaiyakarna Siddhantha Kaumudi written by Shri P.V.Naganatha Sastry |
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| Preface section of the book with info on Shri Naganatha Sastry |
P.V.Naganatha Sastry was to Married to Meenakshi ammal (1875 to 1925) (Daughter of Muthuswamy Iyer of Madurai. See details in Madurai section).
They had 11 children. The below is taken from the Genealogy tree done by shri Naganatha Sastry’s son shri T.N.Muthuswamy.
a. Mohambal married to Subba Iyer of Thirukargavoor.
b. T.N.Vaidhyanathan married to Pichammal (Pichammal was the daughter of Venkatarama Iyer –founder of Madura college & also T.N.Vaidhyanathan’s maternal uncle)
c. T.N.Kalidasan married to Saraswathi
d. Chellammal (a.k.a Cadavasal Patti) married to Cadavasal Rama Iyer (refer to Cadavsal family in the subsequent sections)
e. T.N.Muthuswami (Geology Professor,Presidency college,Annamalai University,Saugar University M.P)
f. Parvathy married to Duraiswami
g. Kamakashi married to Umayalpuram Muthuswamy
h. Lakshmi married to R.Jayaramana
i. T.N.Subramaniam (The child died when he was 5 years old)
j. Gowri married to R.Appuswamy
k. T.N.Viswanathan married to Savithri
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| A family photograph taken in Ooty in 1930's L to R standing TK Natarajan, (T.N.Kali's son) , TN Viswanathan , TS Venkatraman , TV Venkatesan CR Kunjithapatham. Sitting L to R T V Vaidyanatha Iyer, Cadavasal Rama Iyer , R Jayaram Iyer, Professor TN Muthuswamy Iyer Ground L to R (sitting) To be Identified |
Professor T.N.Muthuswamy Iyer
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Professor T.N.Muthuswamy Iyer |
Shri T.N Muthuswamy was a reputed Geology professor. TN Muthusamy Iyer, shifted to Annamalai University at Chidamabaram as HOD, Geology Dept after a stint at Presidency college. Prof. Muthuswamy was in Annamalai in his last incarnation as professor. He had a stint in Sagar University after Presidency and before that was in Engineering College, Guindy.
The
Prof. T.N Muthuswamy endowment lecture was instituted in the year 2000 by T.M.Mahadevan
(Thrippunithura Mahadevan) Rtd Director of AMD and a student of Prof Muthuswami
at Presidency college, Madras.as
mentioned in the constitution of Geological Society of India as a humble
tribute to a great teacher and a great benefactor of who shaped his career as a
geologist.
Professor T.N Muthuswamy Iyer initiated the publication of the Sanskrit treatise 'Sidhantha Kaumudhi' (Published by Motilal Banarsidas)
There is one little gem that CRN mama recalls always.
His paternal grandfather C R Kunjithapatham Iyer and maternal grandpa PV Naganatha Sasthri were good friends, perhaps class fellows in Law. There was a talk of CDL patti (lokanayaki) being "reserved" for CDL Ramaiyer, but when they compared horsocopes, it was found that CDL patti was born in Aayilyam Nakshathram and that was not conducive to the longevity of the mother in law. The matter was shelved. Senior CRK Iyer lost his wife. One fine day CRK Iyer came from Nagappattinam to see PV Naganatha Sastri and told him that the only impediment for the marriage is not there any more and the alliance should be firmed up.
Apart from CRN hearing of this incident from his mother, his maternal uncle T N Viswanathan, who incidentally was the son-in-law of Mayavaram Srinivasa Sarma (Sundappa's father) used to quote his father as saying," Senior CRK [grandfather of CRK/CRN] was a wonderful man. Economically and socially he occupied a very enviable status. This was an example of his graciousness".
CRN mama studied in Presidency college in Madras. The Head of Geology department was T N Muthuswamy Iyer, his mother Chellammal [aka Lokanayaki] - younger brother [Naganatha Sastry’s son]. T N Muthswamy’s son T M Venkatraman, also studied in Presidency college
What a life they must have lead !!.
15 comments:
Received via mail from Shri Natarajan:
dear sunderasan,
I went through, your blog, its a splendid job done by you, on the contrary , i am in the process of forwarding these to my uncles, and their children, for their updates, just to add the branches to this family tree, I give below the branches of the late Prof T.N.Muthuswamy iyer's, children and grandchildren,
late Muthuswami iyer, was the retired professor of geology, from various universities, he got married to late Rajalakshmi, who bore him 4 children, 2 daughters and 2 sons, out of which one named Kuruvi died very young,
the eldest of them was Meenakshi, my late mother, she was a good veena exponent, and a winner of gold medal at a performance at the Madras music academy madras. His 2 sons are, Sri T.M . Naganath, who retired as the Area manager Alitalia Italian Airlines, and is also a Cavalier of the Italian government , for his contribution towards Italy, being a Honorary consul for Italy Madras, His younger brother is Sri T.M. Venkatraman, alias Tucker as he is known in the family circles, he is a retired commercial manager Indian airlines Madras. Both of them though aged live in Chennai. excepting my Mother Meenakshi who is no more,
I reckon this info could possibly expand the branches of the family tree, nevertheless I am forwarding this blog of yours to my uncles,& their family for their contribution, which I am sure will widen the family tree, for the future generations to remember their ancestors
I hope to send you more outputs for your blog, keep up this good work God bless you!.
kind regards
natarajan
Dear Sri Sundaresan,
Many thanks for your splendid write up. In fact, I was trying to trace out one of Sri Sastri's works on Siddhanta Kaumudi (which I would call as his masterpiece) when I came across this reference to your blog.
I would like to make one request - to you and also to the larger family - to reprint his works. They are of such great value that it is sad to see that his works can only be had in reference sections of very few libraries. I think the best way to honour his memory is to keep his works alive as that he is where he will live and breathe for more years to come.
To my knowledge, all of his works, including his masterpiece on 'Siddhanta Kaumudi' is out of print.
Kind Regards, AR
(ramachandran@gmx.net)
Comments received from Shri C.R.N in response to Shri A.R.Ramachandaran's inputs.
Sir, My mother and her siblings would have been thankful to you for your comments on my maternal grandfather. My mother was the third child of Naganatha Sasthri. There is no one of that generation alive now. I live in SanDiego and about ten years back, I was browsing in a rare books niche in Boston, McIntyre and Moore and found the first volume. When I was in India, I ltried to get the 2nd volume to complete the set but Motilal Banarasidas said that it is out of print. I have not given up my quest.
I must confess that I do not believe that any of us have knowledge of Sanskrit to appreciate the monumental work of our ancestor except to take pride, for no contribution of ours!
If you do not consider me impertinent or importunate, please advise your antecedents. I will communicate your views to my cousins. I do not expect Motilal Banarasidas will be interested in a reprint as it may not be economically viable. My nephew Sundaresan (Shyam) suggested digitalizing the two volumes but I do not wish to get into copyright infringement issues,
I look forward to hearing from you.
I am endorsing a copy to Shri Shyam, so that my comments are included in his blog.
Warm regards
c r natarajan
Hi
I have located a copy of Vol 2 of Siddhanta Kaumudi - Eng by P V Naganatha Sastry. Vol 1 is out of print now. Iam looking for it. CRN Periappa can collect it from my father, Kunju alias Jayaraman, s/o V R Muthuswamy Iyer, Umayalpuram and Kamakshi Ammal (daughter of Shri PVN)
Regards
Geetha
Email exchange between Sri CRN, Prof Dr N.V.Chalapathi Rao and Sundaresan.J -- Part 1
From: N.V.Chalapathi Rao (nvcr100@gmail.com)
Sent: 21 November 2013 22:39PM
To: sundar_jag@hotmail.com
Dear Sri Sundersan
Whilst searching for the information on Late Prof T.N.Muthuswami (Geology Department, Presidency College, Madras) I stumbled on your blog which is quite revealing...
I have been invited to deliver the Prof TN Muthuswami endowment lecture next month at Geological Society of India, Bangalore, which is an honour and matter of pride for me . and am ever since searching for his photograph.. I would be much thankful if you or your relatives can send me a scanned copy of the same..
Looking forward to your reply
many thanks and kind regards
N.V.Chalapathi Rao
Associate Professor, Centre of Advanced Study in Geology,
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India
Hello:+91-(0)-9935647365
Website:http://nvcrao.com
http://www.bhu.ac.in/Geology/nvcrao.html
Associate Editor, Journal of the Earth System Science, Indian Academy of Sciences
Editorial Board Member, Journal of the Geological Society of India
Editorial Board Member, Himalayan Geology
Editorial Board Member, Indian Journal of Geology
Editorial Board member, Journal of Applied Geochemistry
Council Member, Gondwana Geological Magazine
From: sundaresan jagadeesan (sundar_jag@hotmail.com)
Sent: 22 November 2013 10:10AM
To: N.V.Chalapathi Rao (nvcr100@gmail.com)
Cc: Natarajan cadavasal (nvpattani@yahoo.com)
Dear Shri Chalapathy,
Thankyou for the message. I'm enclosing a photograph of Shri Muthuswamy from my archives. I've only the group photo and do not have a sepearte individual photo
The 1st person sitting on the left ( with head turban and bow tie) is Shri T.N.Muthuswamy)
The same is also available from the blog page at
http://snp-roots.blogspot.in/2008/08/photos.html
Post your lecture, if you can share the contents of delivered message, I would be very happy and pass it on to our relative circles for information and knowledge.
I'm also marking Shri Cadavasal R. Natarajan who is the nephew of Shri Muthuswamy. He has huge collection of old photographs and is currently residing in USA. The above photograph was given to me by him from his archives.
Best regards,
Sundaresan
On 24 November 2013 07:03, cadavasal natarajan wrote:
Dear Shri Chalapathy Rao,
Thanks for keeping me in the loop in your exchanges with Shri Sundaresan. I do not have my photo albums and so have asked my cousins in India to select a photo from their archives and reach it to you.
Incidentally, I knew Dr. M S Krishnan, his son-in-law A P Subramaniam and Vemban, (MSK's nephew), both of whom were in GSI. I was a student in Andhra University Geology department in the mid Forties (thanks to Dr. MSK) headed by Dr. Mahadevan and assisted by C K Karunakaran who later was Director GSI. I did not continue in Geology. Late B Ramachandran, who retired as Dy. Dir. of GSI was a close friend and class fellow in my Presidency College days. I think Ramachandran was a driving force in the TNM endowment. Venkataramanan was also my contemporary in Presidency.
Shri Sundaresan's blog has been a great source of renewing old associations and establishing connections . Rarely have I found another with such passionate commitment to know his antecedents and ancestry.
I am acquainted with Usha Kiran Rai, Professor, Marketing Area, Management Studies in BHU. In fact I sought her help in locating Volume 1 of Siddhantha Kaumudhi, authored by my maternal grandfather P V Naganatha Sasthri, in BHU library. (Usha was a class fellow of my daughter in Mumbai and her father late Major Singh was a dear friend and hosted us when we visited Varanasi). Nothing came out of the quest for the book. . It may interest you to know that it was Prof. Muthuswamy who initiated the publication by Motilal Banarsidas.
My credentials are not worth much but my ancestry, I cherish and respect.
Hopefully, my cousins take my request seriously and send you a photograph.
Regards
Sincerely yours
c r natarajan
Email exchange between Sri CRN, Prof Dr N.V.Chalapathi Rao and Sundaresan.J -- Part 2
From: N.V.Chalapathi Rao
To: cadavasal natarajan
Cc: Sundaresan Jagadeesan ;
Subject: Re: Prof. T N Muhuswamy
Respected Sri Natarajan
Thank you for a very detailed response... it's great to know that you studied at the Geology Dept of Waltair and a student of legends of Indian geology like Calamur Mahadevan.. it is also quite nice to learn that you know the great M.S.Krishnan.. and A.P. Subramaniam..I did not realise that Vemban was a nephew of MSK.. .I would also presume that you may be knowing R.Vaidyanadhan who went on to become Professor and Head, at Andhra University..
As far as the Endowment lecture is concerned it was intitiated in 2000 by one T.M.Mahadevan (Thrippunithura Mahadevan) Rtd Director of AMD and a student of Prof Muthuswami at Presidency college, Madras.as mentioned in the constitution of Geological Society of India. I will try to locate the Siddhanta Kaumudi volume 1 in our library.. I will let you know whether it is available or not..
It's really great to hear from you and interact with you..
with kind regards
N.V.Chalapathi Rao
On 24 November 2013 12:39, cadavasal natarajan wrote:
From: nvpattani@yahoo.com
Dear Sri Chalapathy Rao,
Strange it may sound T M Mahadevan and his uncle CV Subramanniam were my hostel mates in Sri Venkateswara Hostel, Chennai, in fact the next room CVS retired as Prof. of Botony in Madras University. CVS's brother T V Mahalingam lived in San Diego. C M Venkatachalam, son of C V Mahalingam is a good friend and is active in the Indian fine Arts Academy of San Diego, himself a critic connoisseur of music. Mahadevan, I believe lives in Ernakulam.
One request Please do not address me as "Respected" as I have not contributed anything to be bestowed that sobriquet!
Your mail stirred up memories of days and persons gone by!
Yours Sincerely
c r natarajan
Date: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 12:50:18 +0530
Subject: Re: Prof. T N Muhuswamy
From: nvcr100@gmail.com
To: nvpattani@yahoo.com
Respected Sri Natarajan
yes; I will delightfully continue to address you that way and even though I don't know your background and what you had contributed , it is your affinity towards the subject of geology (as exemplified by your remembrances of MS Krishnan, Vemban, TM Mahadevan etc ), your amazing memory and most importantly your age (and wisdom) warrants that..I am quite sincere in submitting this..
You are spot on and Prof TM Mahadevan indeed lives in Ernakulam and apart from being a renowned earth scientist also is a gifted musician and comes from a very reputed family... I am marking a copy this e-mail to Prof Mahadevan as well and am sure he will be thrilled to get in touch with you..
kind regards
N.V.Chalapathi Rao
Email exchange between Sri CRN, Prof Dr N.V.Chalapathi Rao and Sundaresan.J -- Part 3
From: sundaresan jagadeesan
To: Natarajan cadavasal
Cc: "sudhasundaresan2@gmail.com"
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2013 6:03 AM
Subject: RE: Prof. T N Muhuswamy
Dear Papa mama,
Extremely happy to be part of this mail exchange. Your memory and your connections are amazing. You are a living example of the phrase "your network is your networth"
Two days back Sudha said, "I remembered papa mama very much today and we have not heard his voice for a long time...Hope he is keeping well" and then there is a flurry of mail exchanges.
Respects to mami.
Cheers,
Shyam
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 16:26:15 -0800
From: nvpattani@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Prof. T N Muhuswamy
To: sundar_jag@hotmail.com
Yes! My memory is good and that is why I suffer also, as images of the past are always with me.The tangible and physical catalysts are gone no doubt, for me to relive in the ambience and hear the silent voices! I do not know whether you have read of the rivalry between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. They both died on July 4th US Independence day. Jackson, a passionate proponent of States' rights and Adams an equally passionate advocate of federal supremacy were together as Vice President and President for one term, to become biter critics of each other, when Jackson defeated John Adams for the Presidency the next term. Their rivalry softened when they became ardent correspondents with each other on retirement. John Adams's last words in Boston "Jackson still lives",while Jackson was dead in Montecello in Virginia. What prompted Adams' words no one knows. Was it the emotion of losing a rival turned friend or was it the jealousy of Jackson outliving him, no one knows. I do not wish to have a negative emotion on my exit, but when there is so much of anguish at CRK, I wonder whether I will ever be able to get over it. I know he will longer than me and will surely die gloating over his having deprived me of much. I am sorry I digressed.
I have always kept in touch with people whatever be their station in life. I lament the absence of B Ramachandran, my class fellow in Presidency and Thyagarajan, a cricketing team mate. There was nothing that we did not share with each other, the innermost thoughts inclusive. Life has to be lived the way a card player plays the game with the cards dealt.
We often talk of you both, the princesses and Sudha's mother. no one can explain the power of human bondage. If only CRK had been a reader, he would have understood what ancestry means. Not all of us can be Alex Haley to travel to a distant land after seven generations in search of KInte Kunte, his ancestor and not all tribes keep oral traditions and human connections like the tribes of Africa. They’re not being caught in the distractions of civilization is perhaps a blessing.
Take care and wish you all good health, good cheer, harmony and success in your endeavours.
God and Ancestors be with you.
c r n
Mail exchange between Shri CRN, T.M.Mahadevan
From: thrippunithura mahadevan
Dear Sri.Natarajan,
Your correspondence with Prof. Chalapathi Rao raises pleasant nostalgic memories. I'm delighted to know Dr.C.M.Venkatachalam , a great physicist and a great musicologist , truely self-made.
Well. The Prof. Muthuswamy endowment lecture was instituted by me as a humble tribute to a great teacher and a great benefactor of mine who shaped my career as a geologist. I knew you were doing your BSc in Presidency College but had lost touch with you since I left Madras. I had helped Professor in speeding up the publication referred to by you and finally I learnt it was published. I do hope Prof. Chalapathi Rao will be able to get you a copy of the book.
I feel very happy that you remember our Venkateshwara hostel days. I am also happy you personally know my uncle's son Dr.C.M.Venkatachalam.I very often think of our old days in Presidency College. I recall our close association with Sri.Kunchitapadam and and his brother Natarajan who qualified in IAS. Please do write to me about your welfare and your present interests.I must thank Prof. Chalapathi Rao endorsing copies of the correspondence with you which has helped me to trace a lost link.
Regards and best wishes/T.M.Mahadevan.
From: cadavasal natarajan
Dear Shri Mahadevan,
Memories of days bygone flooded as I read your letter. Well, it is to my grandnephew Shyam aka Sundaresan to whom we owe our re-connect. I do not know what led Shri Chalapathy Rao, to read Shyam's blog titled "Sattanathapuram roots". Shyam is not just curious to know his ancestry. He is committed and is passionate about "resurrecting" past lives and connecting them to the present. In this quest, his success must be measured by long last associations like ours getting reconnected. We meet Sri Venkat very often and my wife benefited immensely from the Sanskrit lessons that she had from Mahalingam mama. Sri Venkat is our guide, friend and philosopher too in his unobtrusive but personal involvement with us. In fact I used to know of your well being as well as that of Sri CVS from him. We have settled down in San Diego, drawn as most of the old Indian couples are to the grandchildren.
R Natarajan, my cousin and roommate in Room #51/52 adjacent to yours and CVS's retired as IAS officer and lives in Chennai. He did not have an elder brother of the name you have mentioned. In actual fact, he was born of my parents a few years senior to me. You may remember V R Lakshminarayanan, who used to be in the third floor of SV Hostel. We were and continue to be close friends. He retired as Jt. Director CBI and lives in Chennai. There are so many associations and when we start recollecting and writing, it will be a collection of biographies! I miss my friend B Ramachandran. He was a Lokabhimani and never forgot a friend. MV Arunachalam was another friend who bore the burden of his wealth very casually. I do not know if CVS will recall me at all. I met him once when he was Reader in Botony (if I remember right) Univ. of Madras.
Our room in S V Hostel was a rambunctious crowd while yours was a serious and studious den. I doubt if you will remember my third roommate Kunjappa who passed away a few years back. I will, as I retire for the night, wonder how I missed recalling many others in this mail.
Warm regards/C.R.Natarajan
From: N.V.Chalapathi Rao
Sent: Saturday, December 21
Respected Sri Natarajan,
I have read "Sattanathapuram roots" blog whilst trying to gather information about TN Muthuswami .. I had delivered an endowment lecture named after him at Bangalore on 20.12.2013 and felt that I should know more about him..also I was looking forward to his photograph which I could lay hands on at the website..
I am very glad that I could re-establish contact between you and Prof Mahadevan..also I learnt so many things in your valuable correspondence..
with deep regards/N.V.Chalapathi Rao
Received via mail from Shri C.R.Natarajan in a discussion thread.
Subject: Re: Sastrigal's Descendents ..
The succeeding generations will not even know their siblings, that is how the diaspora has affected the Indians particularly the brahmins. My grandnephew Shyam, has a different approach. His blog Sattanathapuram roots is the vehicle that has enabled many to find their anchor chains, and in most cases have also found the anchors. Ramachandran is a HR man in Hydeerabad and he chanced across Shyam's blog and found Naganatha Sasthri, of whom some facets I provided. He contacted Shyam who referred him to me. Our grandfather was a Sanskrit grammarian. It is amazing that he found time despite the demands of his profession to delve into one of the driest subjects, Sanskrit grammar and bring it to the world of scholars in English! Ramachandran's interest in Sanskrit brought him to Sasthri and the latter brought him to me. Similarly, recently, one Mr. chellapathy Rao, Prof, of Earth sciences in Benares Hindu University, was preparing for a lecture under the auspices of Prof TNM endowment lecture, sponsored by one of TNM's pet students T M Mahadevan, my hostel mate in Venkateshwara Hostel. Chellapathy tRao, had probably done a google search and came across Shyam's blog, He contacted Shyam for a photograph of TNM and was referred to me. That opened up redicovery of Mahadevan as also kindled memories of Dr. MSKrishnan and his family, Vemban, Karunakaran, Prof. Mahadevan etc of whom and some of whom Shri Chellapathy knew. The diaspora has cut itself off from much of the past and will realize when the green leaves turn brown and are wafted across out of the stalks when the emotional ties to the past are no longer even tenuously threaded! I contribute to Shyam's blog as much as I can recall people and events, but it is limited. For example I could give him only upto my great great grandfather and his wife. I could not give him any info. on Anna except his father and mother. When you read Roots, you realize how satisfying it must have been for Alex Haley to have discovered his ancestors and what a moment i must have been for the villagers in remote Africa to find a 6th or 7th generation descendant of Kinta Kunte in their midst. The memory of Kinta Kunte was kept alive by oral tradition and it is distressing for me to find that despite all the advantages of modern day technology, we do not have our ancestry well documented even within the family. I do not expect such a search or a satisfaction in all cases. It is my opinion that the future generations must know their roots. We are not Swayambus and there is one poem of Kabil Gibran, that I quote
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite
and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
It is the bow that must be stable for them to find the source and what all that one can do is to leave a note where the bow may be..
Sometimes I feel that a long life is a fearful and dreadful punishment, especially when the brain is active and brings up long submerged gems from the "dark unfathomed caves" of memory. The suffering is great, as one can neither go back in time to experience and take a different path or even to savor of the past.
CRN
Beautiful work has been done by u it's great to know about my greaT grand atimber
Hello Shyam,
I accidentally stumbled upon your blog.
Prof T.N.Muthuswami Iyer was my maternal great grandfather. My mother Smt Rajeshwari (daughter of Late Smt Meenakshi - TNM's eldest daughter) was his favourite grand child and affectionately called her Rajamma. I have vivid memories of my late great grandmother Smt Rajalakshmi .(Prof TNM's wife) , she lived to a ripe old age .
Regards,
Rama
Dear Shyam
Namastey
Are any old or second hand copies of Siddhanta Kaumudi available?
Thanks. Jai Gurudev
Ashwini
Hello Ashwini:
Namastey
Thanks for the interest shown. I have a Xerox copy of the book and can send across a copy to you. Plz send in your postal address to my email id sundar_jag@hotmail.com
Cheers,
Shyam
Comments from Shri Rajiv Gera received via email:
I remember you and Shri PV Naganath Sastry often. His second volume is sitting in front of me because earlier today I was consulting it on an issue I was having trouble grasping from other sources. Very often, reading his description is enough when I find myself perplexed. I thank you and value my association with you.
I'm grateful that I have my Sanskrit studies to turn my mind to. .
Wish you and your family and Alamelu Ammal Charitable Trust the very best.
Rajiv
Hello Shyam, hope you and your family are doing good. We need to keep this legacy active ahead. Do send any updates in here often. Thanks in advance.
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