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Medieval
S Vasanthi
An iconographical study of Varaha images in the Vaishnava temples of Tamil Nadu
T M Sarafoji
A monograph on Sendalai temple, Thanjavur
This grant enabled me to do several things. It allowed me to cover many places on my fieldwork and to meet the costs of photography. A basic idea on inscriptions became my main thrust and focus. This led to studying one temple in detail, and I got the opportunity to examine different dimensions of its structure and organisation.
K Devaraj
Study and documentation of Chola Bronzes in the museums of India
This award was a timely help, when I was planning to document the Chola bronzes in and around the Thanjavur region for the visitors of our museum. After getting this award, I extended the area for collecting data on Chola bronzes to the museums of India. This gave me an opportunity to acquire the latest museum techniques and to gain more information about the provenance of Chola bronzes kept in different museums. I plan to bring out a small catalogue about Chola bronzes which will be useful to our visitors.
Renuka Sangappa Kadapatti
The Silharas of Kohlapur, A survey of temples in Kohlapur and vicinity
This project built on my MA dissertation (MS University of Baroda) "the Koppesvara temple at Khidrapur: a study of architectural renovations". That work focused on the stylisc analysis of the temple architecture. A large number of temples of this period have been destroyed or perished over time, and there was a clear need to develop more detailed documentation of the Kolhapur area in the Sikhara period. This grant allowed me to make a start with this work. I hope (2001) to undertake the study of the architecture of the Northern and Southern Konkan for a PhD.
Sathyabhama Badhreenath
To study Rashtrakuta influences in Tamil Nadu
The topic for my second award was so chosen because there is very scanty material available on the subject which forms a vital part of Tamilnadu (an art rich state). Tamilnadu, known for its rich art and culture is equally adept at adopting cultures of other states, and in this sense, the art influences of one of the major dynasties of South India assume importance. These awards have given me encouragement and have honed my skills to view the subject in a different perspective. After completing the project report, I have given lectures to junior staff about my observations.
Dr G Kulathuran
Pillar sculptures of the Mahamandapa of Ramaswamy Temple
The findings of the project were communicated in national seminars. Based on these pilot studies I have now (2001) undertaken a major project, funded by the University Grants Commission. Simultaneously I have been doing a PhD on the ecological and environmental impact on monuments and their conservation and hope to develop this in the context of temple studies. The funding shortages in my institution were balanced by the timely awards received from your Trust, and my project work was also considered as part of my career development evaluation by my institution.
N Athiyaman
Documentation of traditional diving for pearl and chunk in Mannar Gulf, from the Sangam period onwards;
These funds were very useful as seed money for ethnographic study in the Tamil region. As a result, Tamil University has extended its helping hand to widen the survey for the Palk Bay region also. INSA, New Delhi, also provided some contingency grants to improve the study of traditional pearl and chank fishing. Since the Trust has encouraged such a small study, I feel more confident in pursuing further ethnographic study uncovered by the scholars.
P Venkatesan
Relief sculptures as revealed from Hero-stones in Thiruvannamalai, Samburayar and North Arcot Districts of Tamilnadu
The grant was very helpful to me in allowing me to discover a number of hero-stones and inscriptions during the Pallava and Chola periods in Vellore and Thiruvannamalai districts and to prepare research articles in vernacular research magazines like Hindu, Avanam, Pulamai, Dinamani etc. I am currently (2001) doing PhD research in the field of Hero-stones .
Mannu Gounder Gandhi
Study of South Indian sculpture in UK museum collections.
I visited many museums in the UK during my stay there, and both documented South Indian sculptures and bronzes and display methods. I subsequently developed display methods for the Government Museums at Vellore and Cuddalore. Since then I have received a fellowship awarded by the Institute for Social Science and Research at Vellore. I delivered about 100 lectures in the period between 1994 and 2001 to college and school students, Rotary and other clubs, and groups of visitors to the Vellore museum.
Mannu Gounder Gandhi
For the study of the architecture and sculpture of Saivite, Chola temples of South Arcot District
I was able to study 80 temples and their sculptures in South Arcot, thus increasing my knowledge of this subject. I subsequently registered for a PhD degree.