A Scholar King – The Life and Times of Serfoji II of Thanjavur
by
Pradeep Chakravarthy **
at 5.30pm on Aug, 4th, 2012
at Vinobha Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, T Nagar. * *
*Synopsis:*
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Serfoji II (1798 – 1833) is a king who many of us don’t know much about but should. He ruled Thanjavur for a short period but his achievements are truly magnificent. He had every excuse for wasting his life by drinking, hunting, womanizing. He was only the ruler of the Thanjavur fort and had a pension from the British. Serfoji, however choose to be universally regarded as a scholar prince.
He created the Thanjavur style of painting that is so popular today, he maintained and enlarged the library to such an extent that the library bears his name today, he created a printing press, sponsored ship building, opened schools, wrote text books with a creative touch, was a practicing surgeon, maintained a zoo, and was a classic example of something we need much more today – broadmindedness and true secularism!
The one hour lecture with visuals and music delve into some fascinating contributions of a man who was much ahead of his times.
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*Speaker: *
Pradeep is today one of the most sought after speakers on heritage in Madras. A graduate from LSE and an executive coach for one of India’s multibillion USD IT organizations, he mixes history with socio-political and economic trends. His talks and walks are appreciated for their incorporation of music and his ability to make the past relevant for the present and future. is the author of three critically acclaimed books and has 3 more in press. His most famous book was on the cultural history of Thanjavur.
*RSVP:*
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198