The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Book series on saints released

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 26, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Book series on saints released

Staff Reporter

Those covered in the compilation include Karaikal Ammaiyar, Thirugnanasambandar

BOOK RELEASE: S.R. Singaravelu, Judge, Madras High Court (left), receives`Gnana Parambarai' released by Adhinam of the Kancheepuram Thonda Mandalam (centre), in Chennai on Sunday. Pollachi N. Mahalingam looks on. — Photo: Shaju John

CHENNAI: `Gnana Parambarai', a compilation of the lives, teachings and works of 30 saints, was released here on Sunday. The series, compiled in five volumes, features nearly 30 noted Tamil scholars who have written about the saints, following extensive research. Industrialist Pollachi N. Mahalingam conceived the project. Tamil saints covered in the compilation include Karaikal Ammaiyar, Thirugnanasambandar, Manikkavasagar, Periyazhvar, Andal, Thirumoolar, Adi Sankara, Ramanuja, Veeramamunivar, Vedantha Desikar, Gunangudi Masthan, Vallalar and Subramanya Bharathiyar.

Adhinam of the Kancheepuram Thonda Mandalam released the compilation. "Wisdom is beyond religion and caste. Inclusion of Veeramamunivar and Gunangudi Masthan goes to show that this is a secular attempt to record our cultural, philosophical and spiritual history," he said.

S.R. Singaravelu, Judge, Madras High Court, lauded Mr. Mahalingam for the noble endeavour.

Senior scholar M.R.P. Gurusami, who coordinated with the authors, said the series tried to represent saints of different times.

Noted scholar Avvai Natarajan said such books added great value to the field of literatureIra. Selvaganapathy, Sudha Seshaiyyan, Prema Nandakumar and T. Gnyanasundaram are among the authors who have contributed to the publication. The five-volume edition is priced at Rs. 1,500. The 30 titles are also available for sale individually at Rs. 50 each.

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