Dear All, Katherine Brobeck (67 years) is an enthusiastic aficionado from the US. Her present major interest is sculptures of Tamilnadu, with special emphasis on those belonging to the Pallava, early Chola, Muttaraiyar and Irukkuvelir periods. She has been traveling extensively and presently on her 13th visit to India. Here is a brief autobiographical sketch. "I am 67, born and raised in the SF bay area, California, my father was an engineer at Oak Ridge project, World War II; then chief engineer at University of California, Berkeley Radiation Laboratory. I was admitted to a good college, studying music, but dropped out in '63, no direction, floundered until mid-80s when I re-discovered a love of India, Sabhu as 'Elephant Boy' in the early Korda film, & rekindled in the old USA book, "Ripley's Believe it or Not. . . opening with sadhus at Kasi, performing extreme tapas: following the sun cross the sky each day until blind, holding up one arm until muscles atrophied, etc. [I was only 8] but that extreme quest for GOD inspired me. Winter '93-94 worked in a small orphanage in eastern Gujarat, Bilimora, and after that felt confidant to travel all over India to ancient, obscure sacred sites. "I work as a clerk in a public library in New England, USA. Every other year I go to India. I've now travelled extensively in India 12 times -- Dwarka to Sundarbans, Madurai to Delhi. "My greatest joy is to look hard at each image and notice each telling detail. 'Faces' make the greatest impact on me - even if the body is fine, if the face is inexpressive, I'm not be too impressed. I'm quite fussy in judging something '1st rate.' I know little of the classic aesthetic but judge by my own responses. I would like to help out in preservation [of early murthis especially], in any way I can. "On my trip Jan '07, I was inspired by Narthamalai, Kodumbalur, Sendalai, Kudimiyanmalai, Thirugokarnam, Keezhaiyur & the two koils at Tirumayam. My two favorite temples in all India are Vijaylaya Cholesvara, Narthamalai; & Malegitte Sivalaya, Badami, Karnataka. "There are also many murthis I can't identify which I would love to know about, their puranas, etc." Now, REACH has planned along with PSVP group to organize a heritage trip on 4th December to Dammal, Thirupukkuzhi and Poigainalloor temples on the Kanchipuram - Bangalore Highway. We would start from Saibaba temple at Mylapore by 7 AM, bus stop opposite Adyar gate hotel by 7.10 AM, Devar Statue, Teynampet by 7.15 AM, Junction of Mount road, towards T.Nagar (Hyundai showroom at 7.20 AM, and opposite Guindy station HP petrol pump by 7.30 AM. Max. we will wait till 7.45, so that we push ourselves to the Bangalore highway. It is just a 2 hour drive and about 2 hours to see all these temples, and by 4 PM we have to return back, to enable all participate in the interview with Katherine Brobeck to be conducted by Prof.Swaminathan at Thakkar Baba Vidyalaya, by 5.30 PM, T.Nagar. Those who want to confirm, participating in the heritage trip write back to reach.foundation.india@gmail.com with subject caption as 'participation in Kathie's heritage trip' and confirm, name and mobile number. As usual, the expenses will be on sharing basis. Based on the head count, REACH Chandra can fix a vehicle. As time is short, I wish members confirm before Thursday (2nd Dec) evening. Later, we also plan to have an evening meeting with Katherine Brobeck, at 7.30 AM near Gandhi Statue, Marina Beach opp. Commissioner's office, on 6th December 2010. Members can join, if they want to have a free wheeling chat with Kathie.