Kudavayil Balasubramanian (born
Kudavayil,
Tiruvarur district) is an
archaeologist
Archaeology or archeology is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of Artifact (archaeology), artifacts, architecture, biofact (archaeology), biofacts or ecofacts, ...
from
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...
,
India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
. He is former curator and publication manager at
Saraswathi Mahal Library located at
Thanjavur
Thanjavur (), also known as Thanjai, previously known as Tanjore, Pletcher 2010, p. 195 is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the 12th biggest city in Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is an important center of southern Indian religion, art ...
.
He is credited with discovering more than 100
inscription
Epigraphy () is the study of inscriptions, or epigraphs, as writing; it is the science of identifying graphemes, clarifying their meanings, classifying their uses according to dates and cultural contexts, and drawing conclusions about the wr ...
s, coins,
copper plates, sculptures, and paintings now in museums and
temples
A temple (from the Latin ) is a place of worship, a building used for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. By convention, the specially built places of worship of some religions are commonly called "temples" in Engli ...
in that state.
Balasubramanian received a bachelor's in
zoology
Zoology ( , ) is the scientific study of animals. Its studies include the anatomy, structure, embryology, Biological classification, classification, Ethology, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinction, extinct, and ...
, and studied history as a post-graduate. For his contribution to temple art and Tamil language he received (Doctor of Letters (honoris causa)) in February 2016.
Twenty seven books all magnum opuses, twenty booklets, fifty three seminar papers and four hundred and fifty articles have been brought out in the fields of History, Archaeology, Numismatics, Epigraphy, Temple Architecture, Saiva Agamas, Sculptures, Paintings, Music and Dance by Dr. Kudavayil Balasubramanian. His discovery of Nandipuram near
Kandiyur and its shrine housing 1000 Siva Lingas, is hailed as the greatest of his achievements. The earlier writings about Nandipuram by a few scholars stand disproved. He did excavations at Agara Ohai and dug out five
Chola
The Chola Empire, which is often referred to as the Imperial Cholas, was a medieval thalassocratic empire based in southern India that was ruled by the Chola dynasty, and comprised overseas dominions, protectorates and spheres of influence ...
period bronzes and handed them over to the
Tamil Nadu Government. Through his lucubrations, he brought to light the hoary greatness of Kudavayil Kottam of
Sangam Age
The Sangam literature ( Tamil: சங்க இலக்கியம், ''caṅka ilakkiyam''), historically known as 'the poetry of the noble ones' ( Tamil: சான்றோர் செய்யுள், ''Cāṉṟōr ceyyuḷ''), connote ...
, and added a new and authentic chapter to the South Indian history.
His highly commended work entitled “Thanjai Nayakkar Varalaru” marks a milestone in the field of historic exploration. His work entitled Karunakara Thondaiman, the celebrated General of
Kulothunga I, lived in Vandalancheri, the history of which was involved in total darkness. By his strenuous research, its historic greatness was brought to light. He has discovered more than a hundred inscriptions and a few valuable copper plates, thanks to which useful further research can be pursued. He is well versed in the science of Numismatics. His discovery of the commemorative gold coin issued by
Rajaraja pat upon his victory over
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...
and the coins of Koneri Raya and Sundara Pandiya reveal him as a worthy
Numismatist
A numismatist is a specialist, researcher, and/or well-informed collector of numismatics, numismatics/coins ("of coins"; from Late Latin , genitive of ). Numismatists can include collectors, specialist dealers, and scholar-researchers who use coi ...
. His discourse on the Musical instruments of Tamil Nadu delivered in the
MusicAcademy, Chennai, won the recognition of musicians as well as those that play on musical instruments.
His book on Panchamukha Vadya (Kudamuzha) is a classic. He is an acknowledged resource person for operas. He studied in depth the 94 dance
karana sculptures etched in the
Rajagopuram of
Sarngapani Temple at
Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam (formerly spelt as Coombaconum or Combaconum), or Kudanthai, is a city municipal corporation in the Thanjavur district in the States of India, Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located from Thanjavur and from Chennai and is the hea ...
. Thanks to his in depth knowledge of Gukesa Bharata Lakshana, he identified the dancer as
Muruka. The earlier interpretations in this connection stand rectified. His comprehensive works namely, “
Thanjai Rajarajecharam,
Darasuram Temple, Tiruvarur Thirukkoil and Gopurakalai Marabu” speak to his multi foliate knowledge and his in-depth studies of polymathic works. His work “Udayarkudi Inscriptions – a re–view” has indubitably established the truth of the inscriptions of Udayarkudi. This is proof–positive of the right method of hermeneutics, pursued by him. He has rightly interpreted the vocables’ of Sangam literature as well as the corpus of Thevaram and thereby earned the admiration of scholars.
He is a lover of ancient manuscripts; by his hard work he was able to acquire in all thirty manuscripts in Tamil and Sanskrit. He is commended for his gift of these manuscripts to Saraswati Mahal Library, and Tamil University. On purpose he travelled to Cambodia, Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Pali. In all these places he has performed useful and scientific documentation. He is an expert on the water - management that prevailed during the
Chola
The Chola Empire, which is often referred to as the Imperial Cholas, was a medieval thalassocratic empire based in southern India that was ruled by the Chola dynasty, and comprised overseas dominions, protectorates and spheres of influence ...
period. In this connection, his knowledge is at once wide and minute and is welcomed by knowledgeable persons. In the light of inscriptions and wide research, he has now established the hyleg (Arudra) and the month (Aadi), relating to the birth of
Rajendra Chola. In fine, his services for the understanding and upliftment of our history, culture, fine arts and literature, etc., are proof against the tooth of time and erasure of oblivion.
Specialization
*
Dravidian architecture
Dravidian architecture, or the Southern Indian temple style, is an architectural idiom in Hindu temple architecture that emerged from Southern India, reaching its final form by the sixteenth century.
In contrast with North Indian temple styl ...
*
Historiography
Historiography is the study of the methods used by historians in developing history as an academic discipline. By extension, the term ":wikt:historiography, historiography" is any body of historical work on a particular subject. The historiog ...
*
Epigraphy
Epigraphy () is the study of inscriptions, or epigraphs, as writing; it is the science of identifying graphemes, clarifying their meanings, classifying their uses according to dates and cultural contexts, and drawing conclusions about the wr ...
,
Manuscriptology and
Archaeology
Archaeology or archeology is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of Artifact (archaeology), artifacts, architecture, biofact (archaeology), biofacts or ecofacts, ...
*
Painting
Painting is a Visual arts, visual art, which is characterized by the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called "matrix" or "Support (art), support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with ...
s of
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...
* Study of rare
musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted to make Music, musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can be considered a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. A person ...
s and dance
sculpture
Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...
s
*
Numismatics
Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and related objects.
Specialists, known as numismatists, are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, but the discipline also inclu ...
Books
He has written a number of books in
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
People, culture and language
* Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka
** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...
about history, archaeology, temple study and so on. His noted works include the following:
# ''Kudavayirkottam'', குடவாயிற்கோட்டம், Society of Archaeological, Historical and Epigraphical Research, Madras, 1978.
# ''Karunakarattondaiman'', கருணாகரத் தொண்டைமான், SAHER, Madras, 1979.
# ''Aroor Azhitther'', ஆரூர் ஆழித்தேர் (Temple Car of
Tiruvarur), HR & CE Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, 1989.
#''Nandhipuram'', Pallava capital in Chola country, நந்திபுரம், Indian National Trust for Arts and Culture, (INTAC), Madras, 1992.
# ''Koyil Kalai Marabu'', கோயிற்கலை மரபு, (Tradition of Temple Art),
Saraswathi Mahal Library,Thanjavur, 1995.
#''
Thanjavur
Thanjavur (), also known as Thanjai, previously known as Tanjore, Pletcher 2010, p. 195 is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the 12th biggest city in Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is an important center of southern Indian religion, art ...
(600–1850 A.D.)'', தஞ்சாவூர் (600-1850 A.D.), Special Publication for 8th International Tamil Conference, 1995.
# ''
Big Temple of Thanjavur'', தஞ்சைப் பெரிய கோயில், Anjana Pathippagam, Thanjavur, 1996.
# ''Tamil King Konerirayan'', தமிழ் மன்னன் கோனேரிராயன், with the aid of Tamil Development Department, Tamil Nadu Government, 1996.
# ''Kudamuzha'', a rare five face percussion instrument, குடமுழா, Anjana Pathippagam, Thanjavur, 1997.
# ''
Rajarajeswaram'', ராஜராஜேஸ்வரம், Anjana Pathippagam, Thanjavur, 1997.
#''History of
Thanjavur Nayaks
The Thanjavur Nayak dynasty (or Thanjavur Nayak kingdom) were the rulers of Thanjavur in the 15th and 17th centuries founded by Sevappa Nayaka. The Nayaks, who were Telugu Balijas,*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
were originally appointed as prov ...
'', தஞ்சாவூர் நாயக்கர் வரலாறு, Saraswathi Mahal Library, Thanjavur, 1999.
# ''
Thiyagarajar Thirukkoil'', தியாகராஜர் திருக்கோயில், 2000, Agaram, 2012.
# ''History of
Vallam'', வரலாற்றில் வல்லம், 2003.
# ''Jayamkondanathar Temple'', ஜெயங்கொண்டநாதர் கோயில், 2004.
# ''Compilation of articles in archaeology and history'', கபிலக்கல்
Prabhu Pathippagam, Pattukkottai, 2004.
# ''Arathaiperumpazhi'', அரதைப்பெரும்பாழி, 2005.
# ''Kudandai Periyamadam'', குடந்தை பெரிய மடம், 2005.
#''Rajarajechcharam'', தஞ்சாவூர்-இராசராசேச்சரம், Swami Dhayananda Educational Trust, 2010.
# ''Thirubuvanam'', திருபுவனம், 2010
# ''Thirundhudevangudi Temple'', திருந்துதேவன்குடி திருக்கோயில், 2010.
# ''Periyakoil Nutpam'', பெரியகோயில் நுட்பம், 2010.
# ''
Tiruvarur Temple'', திருவாரூர் திருக்கோயில், HR & CE Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, 1998, Agaram, 2012.
#''Study of Gopura Art'',கோபுரக்கலை மரபு, Koirkalanjiam, Thanjavur, 2004, Agaram, 2013.
# ''
Darasuram
Darasuram or Dharasuram is a neighbourhood in the city of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. The area is known for the Airavateswara temple constructed by the Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century CE. The temple is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage ...
Iravatheswarar Temple'', தாராசுரம் ஐராவதீசுவரர் திருக்கோயில்-இராசராசேச்சரம், Swami Dhayananda Educational Trust, 2013.
# ''Kalai Iyal Rasanai Katturaigal'', கலையியல் ரசனைக் கட்டுரைகள், 2014.
# ''Kalvettu Koorum koil kathaigal'', கல்வெட்டு கூறும் கோயில் கதைகள், Suriyan Pathippagam, Chennai, 2016.
# ''Muppathu Katturaigal'', Compilation of 30 Articles, Agaram, Thanjavur, 2018.
# ''Rajendra Cholan'', ராஜேந்திர சோழன், Agaram, Thanjavur, 2019.
# ''Ariya Seithigal Koorum Arputha Alayangal'', அரிய செய்திகள் கூறும் அற்புத ஆலயங்கள், Agaram, Thanjavur, 2020
# ''Kalaimigu koilgalum Kalvettu Sasanangalum'', கலைமிகு கோயில்களும் கல்வெட்டு சாசனங்களும், Agaram, Thanjavur, 2020.
# ''Tevara Manbum Oduvar Marabum'', தேவார மாண்பும் ஓதுவார் மரபும், Annam, Thanjavur 2021.
# ''Sivalayangalum Sivagangai vavikalum'', சிவாலயங்களும் சிவகங்கை வாவிகளும், அன்னம், தஞ்சாவூர், 2021
நூல் அரங்கம், தினமணி, 3 ஜனவரி 2022
/ref>
Awards
# “Kural Nerich Chemmal” – Virudhu from Ulaga Tirukkural Peravai, Thanjavur - 2003.
# “Thiruvarut Chemmani” – Virudhu from Siruvapari Murugan Abishekakkulu - 2005.
# “Thirukkoil Ayvupperoli” from Arupattumoovar Mandram, Thanjavur - 2005.
# “Rajaraja Cholan Award” from Rajarajan Educational and Cultural Centre, Chennai – 2007.
# “Karikala Cholan Virudhu” from Tamil Ayya Kalvikkazhagam, Thiruvaiyaru - 2009.
# “Varalarru Nayagar” Award from Karanthai Tamil Sangam – 2011.
# “Life Time Achievement Award” by Sangeeth Sagar and Russian Centre of Science and Culture, Chennai – 2012.
# “Rajaraja Cholan Award” from Sadhaya Vizha Festival Committee – 2012.
# “Thirukkovil Kalaich Chelvar Virudhu” (and a gold coin where the title is inscribed) from Dharumapuram Adhinam – 2013.
# “Ananda Coomarasamy Kavin Kalai Virudhu” (1.50 lakh cash and shield) from S.R.M. University, Chennai – 2013.
# “Mannin Sirantha Padaippali Virudhu” from Rotary Club of Thanjavur – 2014.
# “Ayvurai Viththagar” Virudhu from Appar Arakkattalai – 2014.
# “Dr. U.V. Swaminathaiyar Tamil Scholar Award” (One lakh cash and a gold coin where the title is inscribed) from Tamil Nadu Government – 2015.
# “Sekkilar – Tamil Scholar Award” from Sekkilar Research Centre, Chennai – 2015.
# “Porrammarai Award” (a Gold Coin in which the title inscribed) for the best research scholar – 2015.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Balasubramanian, Kudavayil
Living people
Year of birth missing (living people)
People from Tiruvarur district
21st-century Indian archaeologists