Ponniyin Selvan Varalaatru Peravai honours…

For bringing out the marvel of Chola Murals in the Big temple to the eyes of common public…

Dr. T.Sathyamurthy

Dr. T. Satyamurthy hails from Chidambaram. He obtained his masters and doctoral degrees in Sanskrit and PG Diploma in Archaeology. He served in the Archaeological Survey of India for 36 years in various capacities all over India till his retirement in 2006. During this span, he has published over 50 research articles in reputed journals and written five books on archaeology, art and numismatics.

He had researched most Indian monuments, particularly those in South India, Orissa and Gujarat and had conducted many excavations including the recent discovery of the ancient Murukan temple at Mamallapuram, planned and conserved hundreds of monuments during his tenure.

He was instrumental in preparing the management plan for the administration of World Heritage monuments like the Sun temple at Konark (3 years), Group of monuments at Mahabalipuram, the Great Living Chola temples at Tanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram. His remarkable re-excavation of Adichanallur and the Sangam Age Muruga Temple near Tiger caves, Mamallapuram have changes the course of though process of tamil history.

Post retirement, he founded the REACH Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the cause of preservation of heritage and educating the rural population about their heritage and serving as Consultant for HUDCO’s heritage projects.

P.S.Sriraman

Sriraman has a post-graduation in Ancient History and Archaeology and a PG Diploma in Archaeology, and is presently an Assistant Superintending Archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of India. He has rich experience in his field. He has conducted several excavations at Banahalli, a proto-historic site in Karnataka, Gingee, a medieval site and Mahabalipuram, an early historical site. He has explored several regions in Karnataka and Tamilnadu leading to the discoveries of several important archaeological sites. He was instrumental in the reorganization of the sites museum at Lothal, a Harappa Civilization site, the Fort Museum, Fort St George Chennai including the new gallery on Prints.

He has conceived, designed and organized the Interpretation Centre at the Brhadisvara temple, Thanjavur and conceived, co-ordinated the Documentation of Chola Murals at Brhadisvara temple at Thanjavur and the Surface features at Kailasanatha temple, Kanchipuram.

Sriraman has published a number research papers in reputed journals, has designed and conceived several brochures and handouts for monuments of South India and is currently engaged in writing a book on Chola murals.

N.Thyagarajan

N.Thyagarajan is a young multifaceted artist. After having his school education at Chingleput, he joined the Government College of Arts, Chennai, a great institution with many internationally acclaimed artists as its students.

He got his diploma and Masters in Visual Communications as was awarded as the Best Outgoing Student. As an artist and photographer his works has been accepted in many exhibitions all over the world. However, as a young photographer of 29 years old, he accepted the challenge of documenting the Chola murals at Brhadisvara temple, Thanjavur for A.S.I. The documentation itself is technically challenging. The output is of immense help to the community of scholars, art connoisseurs, artists, art historians and public as his work brought the unseen murals to the desk of the viewer. Similarly he had done the montage of the front view of the Mallai shore temple, for the department of Civil Engineering, I.I.T, Chennai, to study the characteristics and details of sand formation and its effects in closer view.

In additions to it, he is an accomplished painter and master of any medium to express his creative genius. His designs of literature and display boards are acclaimed by all for its perfection and artistic merit.

T.S.Subramanian

T.S.Subramanian or T.S to his friends is a versatile senior journalist. He is an Associate Editor of Frontline, a group publication from the stables of The Hindu. He is reporting in the print media on subject ranging from Atomic Energy to Archaeology. He always takes care to check the authenticity of historical facts present in details. He communicates with many scholars to get their opinion before any article goes in print. This penchant for corroborative reporting is rarely seen among his colleagues, who were ready to boast the significance of any discovery with a play of words. Therefore, he stands tall among them.
….And those who became historical fiction writers inspired by Ponniyin Selvan

Vaizag V. Dhiwakar

Vaizag Diwakar writes columns in logistics and shipping journals and has been the senior writers among the PSVP members who tries to mix suspense drama with history. His published books Vamsadara, Vichitra Chittan and Thirumalai Thirudan and Emden 22/09/1914 have been popularly appreciated by all.

‘Anusha’ Venketesh ( R. Venketesh)

Venketesh hails from the culturally rich Nagaratthar family. He is a Vastru consultant by profession and was instrumental in bringing in more intellectual discussions within the group. His novels Kaviri maindan and Thillayil oru kozzhai karan was published by his own publishing house.

Gokul Seshadri

Gokul Seshadri is an engineering graduate with masters in management now working as a software professional in USA. He is one of the inspired members having done his M.Phil, later writing three Tamil historical novels which were published and acclaimed. He is one of the founder members of varalaaru.com. Palaniappa Bros has published his first History fiction Rajakesari.

Muruganantham

Muruganantham - hails from the Chozha Capital Thanjavur. He has authored three books so far. Biographies on Feroze Gandhi (published by The Avenue Press), Kushwant Singh and Detailed work on Gandhi's Salt Struggle titled as Dandi Yaththirai (Both published by Vikatan Prasuram).

Pavithra Srinivasan

Pavithra Srinivasan has credit of writing and translating Amarar Kalki’s Sivagamiyin Sabhadam in English in Project Madurai. She is also a good painter. She is writing regularly for Chandamama and her blog, http://pavithra.rediffblogs.com/ speaks volumes of her.

Vishwaksenan

Vishwaksenan’s talent was identified by Amarar Kalki’s ardent fan Vikraman and his first historical novel ‘Pandyan magal’ won the coveted Award on the occasion of Kalki Golden Jubilee Year Competition. He received the award from the hands of former President Mr. R.Venkataraman. He has also written Indra danusu, Maghuda vairam and several short stories. His novel Padmavyugam won an award in Ananda Vikatan. He is instrumental in organising the Mudhal Yathirai in PSVP covering the route of Vandhiyathevan. He has published travelogue also in Kalki. After retirement, now he is residing at Oppliappankoil, Kumbakonam.