A. Raghavan
இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: அ.இராகவன்
A. Raghavan (April 22, 1902 - March 8, 1981) Sathankulam Arunachala Kavirayar Raghavan. Was a cultural and fine arts researcher, collector of rare artifacts, numismatists (specialist in coins). He expounded Tamil culture through jewels, lambs and similar artifacts. He researched about ancient cities including Korkai.
Birth and education
Raghavan was born on April 22, 1902 in Sathankulam of the old Tirunelveli district. His father was the noted Arunachala Kavirayar.He got trained as a teacher.
Private Life
He worked as teacher in Sathankulam from 1924 till 1930.
Political life
While working as a teacher in Sathankulam he was inspired by E. V. Ramasamy. He got acquainted with K. Subramaniya Pillai, Thiru. V. Kalyanasundaram and P. Dawoodsha who were working in Tirunelveli and got involved in cultural research. In 1930 he took charge as editor of Pagutharivu Noorpathipu Kazhakam (Rationalist Publishers) in Erode. Kudiyarasu Publishers released over 20 books under his supervision.
In 1935 Raghavan’s book 'Pennurimaiyum Mathamum’ (Women’s rights and religion) was released. He also wrote books denouncing religion named 'Who the vermin that (actually) disrespects God’ and 'Stories of gods’. He worked with Periyar till 1935. When P. Jeevanantham separated from self respect movement and started 'Suyamariyathai Samatharma kadchi’ (Self-respect equality Party) he joined him. In 1937 he joined the communist party.
When India obtained independence in 1947 he gave up politics and moved to Colombo and started a printing press called 'Saraswathi Azhuththagam’
Journalism
In 1936 he cooperated with Jevanantham and published a journal called Arivu (Knowledge)
Cultural Research
While living in Sri Lanka he developed an interest in cultural research and antique collections. He worked with Royal Asiatic Society and the Numismatic Society of India. In 1960 he returned to Palayamkotai, Tamil Nadu and researched about ancient cities of Tamil Nadu which were being excavated. He also collected research about Indus Valley excavations.
He wrote his research articles in Tamilmurasu magazine from Singapore. 'Lotus in Tamil Culture’, 'Holy lambs of Tamilnadu’ were two of his series of articles. He wrote about the evolution of shapes of lambs made from metal, mud and stone that were used in rituals and their metaphorical meaning and their usage in traditional rites. The series on lotus details the significance and symbolism of Lotus in Tamil Culture.
His book 'Thamizh Natu anigalankal’ (Jewellery of Tamilnadu) catalogues jewellery from carvings, statues and antiques, also it describes their symbolism and significance in rituals. It also talks about their forms, ways of making them and metal compositions. He also lists the names of around five hundred Jewel types with the help of inscriptions and books on sculpting.
A. Raghavan’s book 'Isaiyum Yazhum’ (Music and harp) researches the history of Tamil music through the evolution of Yazh (Harp). It explains how Harp was transformed into various types of Vennas (An Indian string instrument). The book contains many illustrations to explain these points. Another book 'Nam Naatu Kapal Kalai’ (Ship building in our country) details the Tamil ship building techniques, history, the forms and shapes of ships, instruments used and architecture with citations from various literary sources.
'Thamizhaka - Savaka kalai thodarpukal’ ( Art connections between Tamil and Java cultures) and 'Konagar korkai’ (Korkai - King’s city) are his important contributions to Tamil cultural research. The books that connects and compares Athichanallur and Korkai is also a notable contribution. Many of his books were not printed, there was a list of books to be published that was given in the inner cover of 'Konagar Korkai’ The list contained unpublished titles such as 'Iraivanin En vakai vadivangal’ ( Eight shapes of god), 'Tamilnattu Padaikalankal’ (War weapons of Tamilnadu), 'Tamilnattu Kasukal’ (Coins of Tamilnadu), 'Tamilnattu Oviyam’ (Paintings in Tamilnadu) and 'Sindhu Samaveli Thiravida Nagarikam’ (Indus dravidian civilization). A. Raghavan’s collection of artifacts antiques and coins were also not preserved properly.
Death
He died in March, 18, 1981.
Books
- Thmiznattu Anigalankal (Jewellery of Tamilnadu)
- Thamizhaka - Savaka kalai thodarpukal ( Art connections between Tamil and Java cultures)
- Arivu ithaz katturaigal (Articles from Arivu magazine)
- Vellalar Varalaru (History of Vellalars)
- Thamilnattu koil kattida kalai (Architecture of temples in Tamilnadu)
- Konagar korkai (Korkai - King’s city)
- Thamizh Natu anigalankal (Jewellery of Tamilnadu)
- Iraivanin En vakai vadivangal ( Eight shapes of god)
- Tamilnattu Padaikalankal (War weapons of Tamilnadu)
- Tamilnattu Kasukal (Coins of Tamilnadu),
- Tamilnattu Oviyam (Paintings in Tamilnadu)
- Sindhu Samaveli Thiravida Nagarikam (Indus dravidian civilization)
References
- Tamil Koodal December 6, 2004 - Irulin Meedu Velichathai Paaichiyavar, web archive
- Aadhichanallurum Porunai Naagarigamum, A. Raghavan
- Paandiyanaatu Kaasugal, A. Raghavan
- Tamizhaga Saavaga Kalai Thodarbugal, Internet Archive
- Saathankulam - A. Raghavan Thendral Magazine - March 2005
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