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Searching the roots of Tamil culture
"The temple architecture is important to India. Because temples are the repositories of our literature, painting and sculpture."
He has dedicated his lifetime in doing research on Tamil culture. Not only in India, but in all the countries where the Tamil culture had its traces. He recorded all his researches and experiences in book form. Having done this, Rasu Poun Durai, Associate Professor of Department of Architecture, Tamil University, feels that what is to be protected is Tamil arts and architecture and not only Tamil literature.
On the eve of his release of nine books by lyricist Vairamuthu at a function recently in Thanjavur, Dr. Rasu Poun Durai speaks to G. Srinivasan about the need to protect Tamil arts and architecture.
"Tamil literature alone is not Tamil culture. But Tamil art and architecture also represent the Tamil culture. There is a lot of fight for protecting Tamil literature, but not for the Tamil art. This should change. People should protect our art and culture," says Dr. Rasu Poun Durai.
He has come a long way in exploring Tamil culture. A doctorate in Tamil culture, Rasu Poun Durai had travelled a lot in search of the roots of Tamil culture, which has spread to other countries like Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Singapore and Korea.
According to him, the temple architecture is important to India.
Because temples are the repositories of our literature, painting and sculpture. They represent the historical power and knowledge of the society of the respective periods. They are in dying stage at many places. They should be protected.
As part of his contribution towards protecting our art and culture, he has recorded his researches and experiences in the form of books.
"The idea is to speak about the greatness of our art and architecture and make our youth aware of this greatness and motivate them to protect them," said Dr. Poun Durai.
All his books are monumental works. One of his books speaks about the pillars of Tamil temple architecture.
"Research has been done on Greek and Roman pillar structures of their architecture. In the Indian history of architecture, pillars of Asoka have been discussed among researchers. In the south there are many like Katrali temples and cave temples. Pillars in these temples represent a different architecture. But much research has not been done on them. I decided to carry out a research on these pillars. The result is my book Thamizhaga Koyir Kattatakalai Marabu - Thoongal," said Dr. Poun Durai.
Tracing the history of pillar architecture in temples, the books throw light on different pillars in mandapams, musical pillars, pillars and their structure and the art works in pillars.
Yet another important contribution of Dr. Poun Durai is his study on the architecture of Chettinad architecture. His book, Chettinadu Naharathar Veedugalum and Kattata Kalaiyum, presents a vivid picture of the great buildings of Chettinad. "Chettiars remain different from other communities of Tamil Nadu in their culture. They remained traders even from Sangam period and their buildings remained symbols of traditional Tamil architecture. They built palatial houses and spread the greatness of Tamils in other countries. Their architecture can be rightly called the renaissance of Tamil Nadu's architecture," says Dr. Poun Durai.
Besides his book on Chettinadu architecture, he recreated a Chettinadu house in the Tamil University Museum for which he remained the curator during the beginning of his career. He has touched museums also in his books and penned a book Indiya Arunkatchiyagangal.
The book throws light on the rare museums of India like the ones at Kolkatta, Chennai, Jaipur, Shillong, Nagpur, Thirunvananthapuram, Delhi, Mysore, Ooty, etc. His travel to China helped him study the `Vasthu' there and come out with a book.
His aim is to create an Indian cultural museum representing various cultures of the country at Tamil University. He wants researchers to study extensively the contact between South India and Korea. He wants to be people to be cautious about the globalisation. "It will eat our culture slowly unless we are conscious," he says. Commercialisation of our folk arts to satisfy consumers is already affecting its originality. If globalisation process continues without discrimination, we may lose our art and architecture.
For example, China dolls have entered our market. Already we have a metal and plastic base for our Thanjavur dolls. Originality is lost. He appreciates the South Zone Cultural Centre for protecting our ancient folk arts.
His book, Thamizhaga Parai Oviyangal, fetched him the Tamil Nadu Government's prize for the best book. A close friend of lyricist Vairamuthu from his childhood days, Dr. Poun Durai has also tried his hands on writing poems. He brought out a collection of his poems through the book titled Mullai Nirathu Muhangal. The fifty one-year-old Dr. Poun Durai is a visiting professor in Korea University at Seoul.
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Life
Bangalore
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Coimbatore
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