Bulgaria Celebrates Origin of Cyrillic Alphabet | World | Epoch Times

For 156 years, Bulgaria has celebrated May 24 as a tribute to the Greek brothers, Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius, the creators of the Cyrillic alphabet.

The day is also the official day of the Bulgarian Education and Culture and Slavic Script.

The Holy Brothers Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius, born in the ninth century, were Byzantine scholars, theologians, and linguists who wrote the first Cyrillic alphabet in A.D. 855.

The Bulgarian holiday, which is not celebrated anywhere else in the world, is a celebration of spiritual enlightenment and self-cultivation through science and culture.

In the early ninth century in Europe, Christian texts were written in only two official alphabets: Greek and Latin.

The two brothers filled in the gap by creating new letters, based on the Greek alphabet, which were later used to translate the Bible and other Christian religious books, into the Slav language.

The Cyrillic alphabet is currently used in Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, other former Soviet republics, as well as Mongolia.

The "Marco Polo" Bridge, 15 km southwest of the Beijing

The Lugou Bridge, also known as the Marco Polo Bridge, is a famous stone bridge located 15 km southwest of the Beijing city center across the Yongding River. Situated at the eastern end of the bridge is the Wanping Fortress, a historic 17th century fortress. The Lugou Bridge is well-known because it was highly praised by the Venetian traveler Marco Polo during his visit to China in the 13th century, and for the Marco Polo Bridge incident, which marked the beginning of the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). (Photo: China.org.cn)

Sergila ..A Distinguished Ancient Syrian Village Sample - SANA, Syria

IDLEB, North Syria, (SANA)- Sergila archeological village lies next to al-Bara village on al-Zawia Mountain in Idleb Province, about 330 km from Damascus. It is one of a group of archaeological nearby villages that are preserved in a good state. These villages give a true image of the countryside in the Northern part of Syria between the Byzantine and the Roman periods. Sergila has got various buildings, houses, churches, bathrooms and olive squeezers. Secretary of Idleb Museum Fajer Haj Mohammd said the building style in the village consists of three main parts: the inhabitance part, the work part and the yard which is surrounded by a fence, adding that all the houses in the village consist of two stories. Haj Mohammed pointed out that the houses have a functional role as the ground floor is used as storehouses, stables and olive squeezers, while the upper floor is dedicated for inhabitance. He indicated that the oldest house in the village dates back to the end of the 2nd century A.D. as the poor farmers cultivated the lands surrounding the village and adopted the 'self-sufficient economy' through mixing farming with breeding livestock, in addition to oil industry. Head of the Archeological Studies and Excavation Section at Idleb Antiquities Department Anas Haj Zeidan said Churches are one of the most important characteristics of Sergila as each the complex of churches consists of two Basilica churches with a yard. He pointed out that the Northern Church dates back to the end of the 4th century and the beginning of the 5th century, while the Southern Church is a small basilica Church which was turned into a mosque after the Islamic conquest. For his part, Head of Idleb Antiquities Department Nicola Kabbad said the only bathroom in the village was built in 473 A.D. and consists of a big hall in the north and small halls in the south in addition to a big store engraved in the stone. Historian Fayez Qweasrah said the importance of studying Sergila village is that it highlights the status of the Syrian countryside during the Roman and Byzantine periods, as the studies showed that the Syrian countryside was inhabited by active farmers who speak Syriac language and know Greek language. Statistics of Tourism Department at Idleb Province show that Sergila is considered as one of the most important tourist and archeological sites in Idleb because it attracts the largest number of the Arab and foreign tourists as well as local visitors. The statistics showed that more than 14,000 Arab and Foreign tourist visit Sergila each year. H. Zain/ Al-Ibrahim

Treasure trove of artefacts - Dr Harikishore Kejriwal’s home in Bangalore

Aruna Chandaraju, May 21

A sombre-looking earthen Grecian face stared down at us as we waited in the foyer of art-patron Dr Harikishore Kejriwal’s home in Bangalore. The door alongside opened into a room where framed letters covered an entire wall.

Kejriwal entered. A sprightly octogenarian with a childlike smile and infectious enthusiasm, he ushered us inside. And walked us, very energetically, through his awesome home. Sculptures, paintings, coins, porcelainware, manuscripts, scrolls, carpets, metalware and also stuccos dating back to the 3rd century BC, and very rare specimens… the house was a stunning private museum. Many of the exquisite objets d’art took our breath away. Three hours into our visit and we had barely managed brief glimpses of this amazing private art collection — such was the vast quantity and variety on display. The collection was built by him from 1948 onwards — the love for art instilled by his father Ramkishore Kejriwal, a well-known art promoter of then Calcutta. Visitors to their home included some best known artists of that time — Jamini Roy, Nandalal Bose, etc. And Kejriwal’s education at Hindu School — the hotbed of culture — and association with the Tagore family, and other cultural stalwarts and art patrons further reinforced this passion. Right beside the front door were earthen stuccos excavated in Bengal dating back to 3rd century BC when Alexander invaded India. The adjacent room had walls filled with framed letters from stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore (including his last letter), Subhash Chandra Bose, etc. Walking further into the home, we encountered more gems. Every shelf, wall and tabletop held treasures. A metal knife from the Harappan civilisation, a handwritten Quran from 13th century AD; European candelabras from the time of Louis the 15th; a sixth century AD Shiva Linga and bust; a Buddha from the Mauryan period; 12th century Jain Kalpasutras; a richly detailed 15th century wooden panel from Tamil Nadu depicting Girija Kalyanam (Shiva-Parvathi’s marriage); figures in bricks from the 18th century Bishnupur terracotta temples; and gorgeous Tibetan tankhas, and rare Persian jamavars and carpets... “Some carpets have 3,500 knots per square inch. The one with the Jahangir figure in wool and silk is from 1612 AD,” he revealed. The corners of the drawing rooms in all his flats and their entrances had large statues mounted on pedestals. In the rooms, magnificent statues of Vishnu, Chola bronzes, and seated and standing Buddhas (from Burma and Indonesia) jostled for space beside Kangra and Mughal era paintings and the more modern ones by Jamini Roy, Rabindranath Tagore, Abanindranath Tagore, Svetoslav Roerich, etc. Every object evoked a memory — either associated with its acquisition or about the artist himself. Kejriwal regaled us with those stories. And some recalled poetry — a stunning Mughal era carpet had him breaking into Mirza Ghalib’s poetry; European sculptures had him quoting John Keats and Robert Browning; Jamini Roy paintings made him recall Tagore’s poems... And all objects were aesthetically displayed. But then, Kejriwal has visited some of the world’s best art galleries and in India, he is vice-president of Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat; trustee, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, etc. He has donated a substantial part of his collection of art and artefacts to Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat where they are displayed in several galleries. He gave away about 350 paintings and drawings, and 250 sculptures from India as well as artworks by the great masters of Europe. It was a magnificent gesture. Very few Indian collectors have done this. In the West, however, many art collectors donate their collections readily to museums. We paused for a drink of water at the dining table. Above, there was another eye-catcher — a 12th-century dancing Ganesha flanked by 17th century Rajasthani paintings depicting Krishna Leela. Alongside was a shelf dotted with more priceless objects — mostly busts — found in excavations in Andhra Pradesh, including a metal Saraswati from the 19th century. And, on either side of this (and other dining tables) were shelves lined with exquisite porcelain-ware — crockery, flower vases, lamps, figurines, etc. They were made in factories in Germany, France, and England; sport famous brand names; and many date back to 17th and 18th centuries. The collection grew over decades and from many sources. Many items were bought from dealers and brokers who brought the items to him or were purchased directly from shops. “As an art collector I instantly recognised a precious piece,” he revealed. With this unerring eye for the perfect antique, he picked up invaluable objects including fabulous stone statues of Shiva and Parvathi from Tamil Nadu (12th century) and a magnificent 9th century Vishnu statue from Mysore. “Some objects were bought from families who wanted to sell off their artefacts. A few items were bought from old palaces.” He pointed to ornate gilded mirrors made in France. “These, for example, were bought from Cooch Behar Palace. The Tagore letters were gifted to me by his daughter-in-law Pratima Thakur.” But Kejriwal was wise enough to insist that Pratima also hand over a letter saying they were gifted to him by her. “Above all, the collection grew because I felt a love and respect for our heritage and a great desire to preserve it for posterity,” he says. From young art students to Nobel laureates, the director of the British Museum, London, and of Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, business barons, legendary Indian artistes and famous art connoisseurs, they have all visited this art-rich home and left with glowing praise, much of it recorded in the visitors’ books. Our visit had us requesting, at the end, another walk-through at another time. Actually, several more, we corrected ourselves. It is a home whose treasures need weeks to explore and understand, we said. Kejriwal, who is as modest about his collection as he is fond of it, smiled: “I understand. Even as someone living with this collection, I am discovering new facets about it everyday!”

Asia’s New Landless Peasants?

Landless people have long sparked instability in Asia. From the days of the Qin dynasty (3rd century B.C.), through the huge Taiping rebellion in the mid-19th century, to the successful Communist revolutions in China and Vietnam and a nearly successful insurrection in Malaysia during the mid-20th, the property-less have historically risen against those in power.

Today as East Asia grows more affluent, landlessness is again on the rise. Although peasants in many places remain both poor and restive, the real threat is in the region’s dynamic cities, where rapid increase in housing prices threatens to push hundreds of millions outside the property-buying market.

This boost in prices is due to the rapid economic and population growth in many Asian cities. Across China the price of housing per square meter more than doubled over the past decade, according to the National Statistical Bureau. Prices-compared-to-incomes in the diaspora hot beds of Singapore and Hong Kong are now, according to research from the consultancy group Demographia, the highest in the advanced world — at least 50% higher than New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Sydney or London.

There are some good market-based reasons for these high prices. Most major Asian cities are thriving economically and growing far more rapidly than their Western counterparts. Over the past decade, the population of Shanghai, China’s largest city, rose 35%, or by nearly 6 million, which is more than the population of any Western European city besides London, Paris and Essen-Dusseldorf. Beijing’s population rose by 6 million in the past 10 years to nearly 20 million. And Singapore’s far more affluent population jumped 20%, a rate exceeded in the advanced world only by Atlanta, Ga., among urban areas of more than 4 million.

The recent spike in prices, particularly in the more affluent cities, also stems from high liquidity, low interest rates and rising inflation, notes Cheong Koon Hean, CEO of Singapore’s Housing and Development Board. To these factors she adds what she calls “a herd mentality” as people rush to invest in property as a hedge against inflation.

The traditional Chinese obsession with property ownership exacerbates these factors. As Nanjing-based blogger and social critic Lisa Gu writes, “Owning a property is the greatest life-goal for most Chinese citizens.”

In mainland China the rush to own is bolstered by the lack of a strong social safety net or popular trust in other investment vehicles, such as stock and bonds. ”China lacks good investment channels besides housing,” says Han Hui, senior partner in prominent Beijing real estate law firm. “People put money into real estate because they still don’t trust anything else.”

The appeal of home-ownership in China is particularly marked since it’s more of a land-use right, which in the case of residential property, expires after 70 years (40 years for commercial property). The lease begins to run out on the date that the real estate developer signs for the land, and not on the homeowner’s date of purchase.

Whatever its cause, this Asian form of irrational exuberance is clearly boosting inequality across the region’s cities.

This is becoming a key issue, particularly for the younger generation. ”House price” ranked third on the list of the top 10 most popular phrases used by Chinese netizens, says Lisa Gu. Many young Chinese, she notes, are giving up on the ideal of owning a house before marriage and starting their lives together as renters. This is widely called “getting married naked.”

For young professionals this now might just prove a temporary annoyance, but it could evolve into something more bothersome as they age. Some might opt to avoid very expensive cities, such as Beijing or Shanghai, for up-and-coming smaller urban centers such as Chengdu, the provincial capital of agriculturally fecund Sichuan province. This city has a growing tech center but offers housing prices as much as one third those in China’s existing megacities. Although salaries are also lower, overall affordability remains much higher than in the established urban regions.

For the many millions of poorer Chinese, including the many migrants from the countryside, the housing crunch presents a more serious issue. Most have moved to the big cities, particularly in eastern China, for better opportunities and quality of life. Virtually all the net growth in Beijing and Shanghai, according to the most recent Chinese census, came not from registered residents but among migrants — those lacking hokoustatus. They constitute now over one third of the population in these megacities.

Such migrants include people of various incomes, but also a large impoverished population. Some live in sub-standard conditions not often associated with the gleaming epicenters of Asian capitalism. Like residents of the slums of third-world cities, many are landless peasants, a group now estimated at 70 million or 80 million.

This problem of landless peasants is likely to grow as more land is set aside for urban and industrial development. Many will face difficulty finding a decent place to live even as more affluent Chinese snatch up multiple apartments for speculative investment. This has accelerated a worsening gap between rich and poor that is of major concern to the country’s Communist rulers.

Of course, no one suggests anything like a new peasant rebellion is in the offing. It is critical to recognize that, for all its imperfections, China’s astounding rise has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of the grip of unceasing poverty.

But unaddressed, the property crisis could well slow east Asian capitalism’s rapid ascent. High housing prices may already be contributing to depressed birthrates — even in places where the “one child” policy does not apply, such as Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea.

Such long-term problems are overshadowed by more immediate concerns. Fallout about cascading house prices led the Chinese central government earlier this year imposed new restrictions aimed at slowing rampant speculation — such as requiring 60% payments for second homes and restricting the purchases of additional homes.

The interior city of Chongqing has taken even more drastic steps. The hardline government there has embraced a distinctly uncapitalist response to the housing crisis: a massive program to increase the supply of rental as well as state-owned apartments that would be available to poorer residents, including those from the countryside. This contrasts with programs in Singapore, where 80% of the population live in the public housing, but some 95% own flats purchased from current owners or the Housing Development Board.

In China, the failure of the housing market to find places for the poor and working class could provide a rationale for expanding the state’s role in managing the economy. It certainly provides fuel for Chongqing’s active affirmation of what is seen as a revival of “red culture.”

Beyond such ideological implications, the housing crisis could threaten both the long-term social stability and economic growth of East Asia. Unless addressed, growing dissatisfaction among a large bloc of property-less citizens has the potential to become a politically destabilizing force and a brake against market-friendly liberalization. As East Asia remains the primary driver of the world’s economic engine, this could prove bad news not only for upwardly mobile Chinese but everyone else as well.

Quarry on 3rd century BC archaeological site | Provincial

A quarry at Semgamuwa in Potuvil was closed down by the Department Archaeology. According to the Asst. Director of Archaeology, Ampara District, H A Sumanadasa the reason was that the quarry was located in a archaeological site of historical importance. He said the quarry permit issued in 2007 had been renewed annually. However, when he inspected the quarry recently he found a host of archaeological remains of buildings and also the ruins of a monastery that date back to the 3rd century BC. He said that extensive damage had been caused to many of the archaeological remains.

“I was appointed as assistant director in Ampara about nine months ago. After I assumed duties, I focused attention on the quarry and found that the permit had been obtained on forged documents. However, the archaeological research officer and the officials of the Geological Survey Division had recommended the issue of the permit. But the permit is illegal. A formal inquiry will be held in consultation with the director general of archeology,” he said
Meanwhile, an archaeological researcher in the Eastern Province, Ven.

ssBogahamulle Sumana Thera , who has followed a post graduate degree course at the Archaeological Research Institute said: “The quarry is located on land belonging to the Archaeological Department. The rock that has been blasted is similar to that at Situlpawwa. I noticed the archaeological remains of an ancient monastery and several other ancient ruins. It is sad that the officials issued a permit to blast rocks in an archaeological site. The government must focus attention on protecting our heritage.” The Officer in Charge of the Lahugala Archaeological Office, S Ratnashantha said he informed the authorities to prevent any further blasting of rocks and other activities in the quarry and that he would be monitoring the situation.

BusinessWorld Online Edition |Siem Reap Angkor Wat and beyond

The centerpiece of any trip to Cambodia is of course a tour of Angkor Wat. The word “angkor” literally means capital city, while a “wat” is a temple. Still, this is just one of a series of temples dotting the entire Siem Reap province. The Angkorian period in Cambodian history actually spans about 700 years, from the 9th to the 15th centuries.

Angkor Wat itself was built in the early 12th century, by Suryavarman II.

The entire Angkor area has been well preserved, thanks to government’s prudence over the years (this must originate from the French colonial period). There are no new buildings in the area, and nobody from outside is allowed to resettle there. Only the original inhabitants may reside there.

The drive from Siem Reap town to the area is a pleasant one, on a road lined by tall shady trees planted by the French more than 50 years ago.

A few minutes later you catch a glimpse of an imposing stone wall surrounded by a moat. This is the perimeter fence of Angkor Wat, measuring 1.3 by 1.5 kilometers in length. From the entrance it is a 200-meter walk on an uneven stone path to the inner wall, and then another 300-meter walk to the temple. The temple itself is 1 square kilometer in size. So you are now getting an idea about the workout I mentioned earlier.

A good time to see Angkor Wat for the first time is after 2 p.m. The sun is slowly coming down on the westward facing temple, and the lines come out sharply. On the north reflecting pool, a pretty reflection of the five towers offers a good photo opportunity.

Upon reaching the main building, it is the elaborate bas relief on the walls that takes your breath away. On the first level walls, one section depicts stories and characters from Hindu mythology including the Ramayana, and the intriguing representation of the “Churning of the Sea of Milk” on the east wall. It is important to note that religion in Cambodia swung from Hinduism to Buddhism and back many times in its long history. Angkor Wat was built as a Hindu temple, but became a Buddhist place of worship when that faith came into mode.

Going back to the bas relief, the victorious march of Suryavarman II and his army against the Cham people are portrayed on the south wall.

A guide will be most helpful in explaining the transforming scenery. At any given time, there is always cacophony of languages that can be heard, with guides speaking in English, French, Japanese, Russian and Chinese.

In the upper levels, both the inner and outer walls depict nearly 2,000 distinct carvings of Apsara or celestial dancers. This classical dance was developed for the kings of the Angkorian era, and was performed only for the royal household. Predictably, it suffered near demise during the Khmer Rouge era. Fortunately, the royal family, particularly Princess Devi who is a dancer, worked hard to revive this cultural heritage. The UNESCO eventually declared it as intangible heritage and earmarked it for protection. Today tourists can enjoy an evening performance in some of the larger restaurants and hotels.

Further up is the way to the towers. There are five towers in all, four corner towers, and the center and tallest towers. Visitors can walk along the wall and pass under the four corner towers, but the center tower is closed.

Angkor Wat should take up the entire afternoon for one to properly appreciate its grandeur. Most likely, you will be too tired after your visit for anything else anyway.

The next morning would be a good time to go see Angkor Thom, or Big Angkor. This is a walled city three square kilometers in size, or four times the area occupied by Angkor Wat. It was built in the later 12th century, just after Angkor Wat. This time, a Buddhist king named Jayavarman VII reigned. He built the Bayon temple (famous for the hundreds of Bayon heads) within, as well as his royal palace and structures for the royal household and his high officials. Unfortunately, the palace and other households were made of wood and did not survive the passing of time. Only the ruins of Bayon, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of Leper King remain.

Angkor Thom is likewise protected by a stone wall with five entrances or gates. There is one facing each direction, with two facing east. One of the eastern gates is the Victory Gate leading to the Royal Palace, for the exclusive use of the king. Most visitors enter through the South Gate, which brings them directly to Bayon temple. Each gate is capped by a Bayon-style tower with four giant faces. Our guide said the faces are the likeness of Jayavarman VII, but this is actually a matter of debate, with some quarters claiming they are of one Bodhisattva. Who cares? In the end, what matters is that these structures have been preserved to an astonishing degree for the benefit of all humanity.

Bayon temple itself has 37 standing towers. The lower level walls contain bas relief as well, this time depicting real life scenes from the battle between the Khmer and the Cham. One portrays soldiers in a boat rowing toward the enemy. After their decisive victory, the Khmer decided to hold a barbecue, much like one we would have today. This is charmingly depicted in another wall carving.

If you still have an hour left in the morning, head on to Ta Phrom. This is the temple of Lara Croft, Tombraider fame. The walls and walkways are overgrown with centuries old trees, and have been deliberately left that way to retain the jungle temple feel. Although I have never seen the movie, I have now put it on my “must see” list, for obvious reasons.

For people with more days to spend in Angkor, there are sites to visit further afield. 40 kilometers away is Banteay Srey (pronounced ban tey sry), more popularly known as the women’s temple. It precedes Angkor Wat by more than a hundred years, is much smaller, yet more intricate in its carvings and has an almost surreal pinkish hue.

Wat comes next?

After a respectable temple run of the three major stops, wat else is there to do?

The pulse of any city can be gleaned from their market, so after catching your breath from the temple workouts, visit the central market. If your hotel is nearby, a leisurely stroll along the Siem Reap River toward the market is highly recommended, giving you a wider view of daily life here. Among the different stalls you will find everything you’ve heard about on the grapevine: sapphires and rubies, silver, wood carvings, silk, scarves, clothing, and food. It is mainly geared toward the local population, therefore serving up fresh vegetables and meats as well.

Two most interesting visits we made were to the Senteurs D’ Angkor workshop and the Silk Farm.

The Senteurs tour takes only 30 minutes, demonstrating how plants and flowers like frangipiani, lemon grass, coconut, etc. can be infused into other material resulting in the most wonderfully fragrant candles, soaps, and oils. At the end of the tour, one is treated to a free drink of lemon grass coffee or cardamom tea, among other such choices.

The Silk Farm is 16 km out of town, and a free trip is available from the Artisans d’Angkor store in town. This is a delightful and educational tour, showing the silk making process from start to finish. From my own firsthand account, I swear the process is so tedious you cannot challenge any ridiculous amount they charge for their products. For example, an intricately designed silk scarf takes three days to finish.

Three days! And when you see the price, it’s actually very reasonable.

And don’t think twice about buying that raw silk shawl that is as warm as pashmina they say. My mother said with authority that “you will never find it anywhere else.” And she is right, of course.

Filipinos are devout Catholics in general, and if one finds himself here on a weekend, there are masses on Saturday evening in English, and Sunday morning in Khmer.

At night, the focus shifts firmly east of the central market, to nearby Pub Street. This uber popular street evolved slowly. Before 1998, it was a quiet street with no particular night appeal, until the first pub opened, named in jest as “Angkor What?” From then, one pub, restaurant or shop opened after another, until it became Siem Reap’s center of gravity come nighttime. They have wisely closed it to vehicular traffic starting at six, making it a most relaxing place for everybody, and removed from the noise and air pollution brought on by tuktuks and the like.

If only the mayor of Baguio would be brave enough to do the same, I believe our beloved Session Road will take on a much renewed spirit, and attract many more locals and tourists alike.

A most famous watering hole on Pub Street is the Red Piano, where in 2001, during the filming of Lara Croft, Angelina Jolie herself started the drink called Tombraider.

Pub Street is also a good place to sample the local fare. Have a fish in Amok (local curry concoction), try the beef lok lak, sautéed in delicate and aromatic Kampot pepper, or dine in a group and feast on what is locally known as “Volcano,” a variation of shabu-shabu.

In the end, we also visited Tonle Sap Lake, to see the floating villages and witness a traditional way of life. Now I do not highly recommend this trip, it wasn’t a pretty sight. However, if you are in for some adventure and seeing how people who permanently reside in boats live, why not give it a try?

If you plan to visit, avoid April and May though, when the heat is oppressive. The best time to come is from November to February, when the weather is both cool and dry. However, there is a certain charm in coming during the wet season (June to October) as our guide boasts of verdant lawns surrounding the temples, and the Tonle Sap Lake swells to its full level.

Siem Reap is a gentle town, a balm to one’s frayed nerves. It can be the pleasant long weekend you’ve been pining for, on top of the chance to see live what you’ve only seen in books before: the grandeur that was Angkor.

The Hindu : Life & Style / Metroplus : Scenes from the 17th Century

A TRIBUTE TO TYAGARAJA: A mural in vibrant colours. Photo: Special Arrangement

It's not just the story of Tyagaraja, but also the effort to conserve heritage that is told in V.K. Rajamani and David Shulman's book “The Mucukunda Murals”

The paintings leap at you from the pages in beautiful compositions of red, ochre, jade green and black. The mellow brown border throws them into greater relief, and the scenes spring to life. Published by the Prakriti Foundation, the book “The Mucukunda Murals in the Tyagarajasvami Temple, Tiruvarur” by V.K. Rajamani and David Shulman records a rich segment of the art and the heritage of Tamil Nadu, and seeks to hand it down to succeeding generations. The fine photographs are by Rajamani, while Shulman has written a brilliant introduction on the temple and its deity. Maya Tevet Dayan, a scholar who worked under the guidance of Shulman for her Ph.D, has contributed an essay on the experience of viewing these paintings.

Ranvir Shah of Prakriti Foundation, who has a special bond with the temple and the deity, undertook to publish the book. When he also embarked on the task of having the priceless art conserved, the effort began to bear shades of Mucukunda's arduous attempts to succeed in his divine mission. The INTACH team headed by Madhu Rani K.P. took on the conservation exercise but enormous hurdles had to be overcome, mainly of the bureaucratic kind. Madhu Rani's write up on the effort is included in the book.

The murals on the ceiling of the Devasiriya Mandapam lift up the mind and spirit. They narrate the story of Sri Tyagaraja and how the monkey-faced Chola king Mucukunda Chakravarti brought the image of Sri Tyagaraja to earth. Through the portrayal of dancers, elephants and processional scenes, the life of the 17th Century is revealed in these paintings that belong to the late Nayak or early Maratha period.

“I showed Shulman the photographs I had taken of these paintings, when he met me in 1973. He immediately suggested that they should be brought out as a book. Much later, Shulman and I went to Tiruvarur and I took more photographs of the paintings. The task proved to be very difficult,” explains Rajamani who was in the pharmaceutical business but has had a passion for photography from the 1960s. He built a reputation for himself in capturing monuments and temples, especially through assignments for popular Tamil journals. Rajamani developed a love for heritage after photographing the bronzes of Tamil Nadu for a book by archaeologist R. Nagaswamy and also executing the photographs for two books by Nanditha Krishna, one on the arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu and another on the painted manuscripts in the Saraswati Mahal library in Thanjavur. “When I first visited the temple, the mandapam was used to store the huge coils of rope to pull the temple chariot. The vahanas (mounts for the deity) were also stored here. The floor was littered with rubbish and carcases of cats. I engaged a few workers and had the place cleaned,” says Rajamani. “But since the paintings were all on the ceiling, I had to lie on the floor and move my mat bit by bit while I photographed them. Since the light was poor, I brought plain white sheets and used them to reflect the sunlight on to the panels. The photographs were all taken before the restoration was undertaken by INTACH. Maya helped me put the photographs in chronological order. All the paintings are accompanied by the old Tamil script which Shulman and archaeologist Chandramurti read with the help of a magnifying glass,” says Rajamani who was president of the Photography Society of Madras and has received the organisation's Lifetime Achievement Award. “Now that the book has been published, I feel happy and fulfilled,” smiles the frail 76-year-old photographer who persevered despite setbacks to his health.

Love for the Tamil world

Shulman's love for South Indian languages brought him to Tamil Nadu. The Renee Lang Professor of Humanistic Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem says he fell in love with the Tamil world as soon as he and his wife came to Madras in 1972 — “the people, the music, the food, the landscape, the art and the poetry — even the weather!” “I first visited Tiruvarur on a day of very heavy rain in January 1976,” he recalls. “I returned many times and became familiar with the paintings which were then in a much better state of preservation before the tremendous damage done by smoke, fungus, dirt and, above all, sheer neglect.” Later, when he was writing a book on the Nayak period along with other scholars, the paintings interested him again. “They are so vivid and colourful — you can see the streets of Tiruvarur in the late 17th Century in them. These paintings are masterpieces of world art and should be declared as such by UNESCO,” he says fervently. “Under no circumstances should they be repainted as is sometimes done in South Indian temples.”

The Tiruvarur paintings are remarkable because of their size and originality but there are many other murals from that period in temples in the South which need to be preserved carefully, he points out. “I have had many books published but I feel most proud to have been part of this one. Designer Vinay Jain has done a remarkable job.”

The book was released recently in the temple, and will be launched in Chennai later this year.

Lost treasure: 900-year-old manuscript of Holy Quran found – The Express Tribune

Lost treasure: 900-year-old manuscript of Holy Quran found – The Express Tribune

The salt range and its adjacent territory have been home to many archaeological discoveries and Malik incidentally came across this valuable scripture there. Malik was taking a break after the day’s work to recite the holy book when an old man gave him this historic manuscript to read.“An old man gave this to me as a gift at a shelter in the hills,” said Malik.

“He told me that they had had this scripture in the family for centuries and their ancestors used to recite from it.”

This 900-year-old manuscript is written on Papyrus, which was first invented and used by the Chinese before the invention of modern paper. According to the archaeologist this ancient script of the Quran has been written by Sirajuddin abu Tahir Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Abdur Rasheed during the 12th century.

“It is the first time that I have seen such an ancient Quranic manuscript in such good condition,” added Malik.

This calligraphic object of art weighs around five kilogrammes and consists of 1,200 pages although in some places the handwritten text has faded as a result of aging. Experts estimate that this manuscript is the work of three calligraphers who produced the copy of the Quran in just over a year.

A vibrant portrayal of South Asian art

A vibrant portrayal of South Asian art

Treasure Hunter Finds 2nd Century Roman Coin | Culture | News | ERR

A second century Roman coin and bronze jewelry from the 11th or 12th century was uncovered from a field in Harju County by a local treasure hunting hobbyist.

"The discovery is priceless, definitely very intriguing," Ants Kraut, the head archeologist at the National Heritage Board, told Meie Maa. "We have given the discovered items to experts for an analysis, and they will evaluate how much the treasure is worth, and whether a finder's fee should be paid and how much."

The lucky treasure hunter is Roland Koit, who has been scanning fields with his metal detector for five years and has now made his first big discovery from under a thin layer of dirt. "It was surprising that the jewelry was quite near the surface of the field, in the topsoil, and it is a miracle that a tractor hasn't thrown it around before," said Koit. "The jewelry was nicely packed into birch bark."

Two New Archaeological Sites Discovered in Jubail, Saudi Arabia | Travel Video News

Two New Archaeological Sites Discovered in Jubail, Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) recently discovered two archeological sites in Al Jubail Industrial city in the eastern province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), one dating back to the 3rd century BC, and the other dating back to 1st century BC, corresponding to 5th century AH.

Dr. Ali Al Ghabban, Vice President of SCTA for Antiquities and Museums Affairs, explained that the commission intends to transform the two locations into open museums for the public. His assertions came during a field trip to the sites organized by the SCTA branch of the eastern province in collaboration with the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY).

Dr. Ghabban stated: “The first site is near Al Dafi within the Jubail Industrial College near the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu building about 14 kilometers from the city of Jubail. The site area, which is about 60 thousand square off the sea coast, is surrounded by a wall on an archaeological hill that rises to 5 to 6 meters above sea level.

“This site is believed to be the location of [the] ancient Thaj seaport in Al Jahra kingdom, which had taken control of [the] east of the Arabian Peninsula before Islam. Third century BC could be the possible date of the site, however, accurate dating could be given only after finalizing the layer tests.”

Excavations on the site made by Saudi archeologists resulted in the discovery of interconnected residential buildings featured with unique architectural style and high technology in the pruning of masonry and the use of mortar with severe stiffness; using lime has also been detected.

Also a broad road in the middle of a building extending east to west was unearthed by the team. The majority of the buildings have circular basins in the center, about 1.5 meters in diameter, built with stones, with trimmed mud floors, perhaps used for storing foodstuffs. The site is surrounded by a wall built with large stones, a part of which is revealed in the northern part of the site, while a number of archeological finds were picked up during the excavation works, such as pottery and incense burners, clay figures, and bones of fish and marine organisms that have been collected for the study.

BBC News - In pictures: Leonardo da Vinci at the National Gallery

BBC News - In pictures: Leonardo da Vinci at the National Gallery

The Hindu : Arts / History & Culture : Storehouse of treasure

As one stands on the small hill near Muthupatti village, situated beyond the campus of Madurai-Kamaraj University, the scenery below is bewitching. There are paddy-fields, patches of scrub jungle and hillocks beyond. The Muthupatti hill commands a beautiful view of an ancient highway that traversed from Madurai in the Tamil Pandya country to Cumbum Valley to the Chera country via Kottayam and Kochi.

Less than a couple of months ago, excavators of the Kerala Council of Historical Research (KCHR) at Pattanam in Ernakulam district of Kerala, found a pot-rim with a Tamil-Brahmi inscription with three letters, followed by two symbols called megalithic graffiti.

Pattanam is now identified as the thriving ancient port called ‘Muziris' by the Romans. Tamil Sangam literature (third century BCE to third century CE) celebrates it as ‘Muciri.'

Iravatham Mahadevan, scholar in Tamil-Brahmi and Indus scripts, read the Tamil-Brahmi inscription on the pot-rim as “a ma na”, meaning a Jainand dated the inscription to circa second century BCE. The two megalithic graffiti symbols could not be identified.

Jainism prevalent

The discovery of the script showed that Jainism was prevalent in the west coast at least from the second century BCE, according to Mahadevan.

The day the news item about the Tamil-Brahmi inscription discovered at Pattanam, was published in The Hindu on March 14, 2011, Mahadevan told this reporter, “The important supplementary information I have is that Muciri is mentioned in a Tamil-Brahmi inscription in the cave inscription at Muthupatti and it is dated to first century BCE.”

So this reporter and V. Vedachalam, senior epigraphist, who has written about the ‘Muciri' mentioned in the Muthupatti inscription, visited the Karadipatti hill again this month to see the inscription.

The Muthupatti Tamil-Brahmi inscription is special because it is engraved on the side of a rock, which has been fashioned into a bed for Jain monks. As you stand a few feet away from it, you find that the letters have been inscribed upside down and from right to left.

The monk (of first century BCE) lay on his stone-bed and inscribed it. So, if you lie on the stone-bed, you can read it from left to right, but not upside down.

The inscription reads, “Nagaperuthai Muciri Kodan Elamagan.” It means that the rock-bed was sculpted with donations from a man named Andhai belonging to a village called Naga Perur and also by Elamagan of Muciri Kodu.

There are two other Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions of the first century BCE situated close to this ‘Muciri Kodan' inscription; two exquisite bas-relief sculptures of Jain tirthankaras, belonging to the ninth century CE; two Tamil-Vattezhuttu inscriptions also of ninth century CE; a free-standing sculpture of a tirthankara; a number of vandalised Jain beds cut into the bed-rock; and three faded pre-historic paintings in white kaolin and red ochre, all on the Muthupatti hill, which is thus an archaeological treasure-trove.

A copper plate inscription in Tamil Vattezhuttu of the Chera king Bhaskara Ravi Varman of the 10th century CE also mentions the name of the ancient port city of ‘Muciri Kodu.' Kodu means a hill and also the ramparts around a walled city. In the term ‘Muciri Kodan,' the word ‘Kodan' refers to a person from ‘Kodu.'

IMPORTANT CITIES

There are many Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions which mention important cities such as Mathirai, (the present-day Madurai), Karur, and Thondi. Mahadevan says, “The importance of Pattanam excavation is that it showed that Muciri existed from the first century BCE as proved from the Muthupatti Tamil-Brahmi inscription and it is written about by the western classical writers.”

The copper-plate inscription of Bhaskara Ravi Varman showed that the city of Muciri Kodu existed till the medieval period, viz, 10th century CE.

Of the two Tamil Vattezhuttu inscriptions at Muthupatti, Dr. Vedachalam said, one of them mentioned that one of the two bas-reliefs of the Jain Tirthankaras was done by a person called ‘Maha Nandi Periyar' in the name of the assembly members of ‘Nattratru Puram' and that ‘Maha Nandi Periyar' was the disciple (‘Manakkar') of a Jain monk called ‘Ashto Upavasi Patarak.'

While ancient cities such as Mathirai and Karur mentioned in the Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions still exist, not much is known about Tondi mentioned in them.

There were two Tondis, one in the Chera country and another in the Pandya country, points out Dr. Vedachalam.

Tondi, on the western coast in the Chera country, has not been located yet. There was a reference in the Tamil epic ‘Silappadikaram' to Tondi located on the eastern coast in the Pandya country.

Tondi is also mentioned in a Tamil-Brahmi inscription of the second century BCE at Kizhavalavu hill, about 38 km from Madurai.

Mahadevan is upset that quarrying of granite at Kizhavalavu has destroyed the first letter in the word ‘Tondi.'

He says, “Fortunately, we have old photographs of the full word ‘Tondi.' We should increase the awareness in Tamil Nadu about the presence of cave inscriptions and plan the excavation of our historic sites in a more systematic and professional manner.”

In the excavation done at Kodumanal, near Erode in Tamil Nadu, more than 20 pot-sherds with Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions were found. The excavation at Azhagankulam in Ramanathapuram district yielded valuable artefacts.

Mahadevan wants a resumption of excavation at Kodumanal and Azhagankulam,and their funding by the Tamil Nadu Government. He believes that more Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions will be found at Kodumanal and the site's date could be established by carbon-14 dating or using thermo-luminescent method.

12th century temple discovered - The Times of India

KARWAR: A temple belonging to the 12th century was found in Madnalli village of Haliyal taluk.Madnalli borders Uttara Kannada and Belgaum districts.

The temple was discovered by famous history researcher Dr S S Kallur, who has done his Ph D on the historical places in Haliyal.

The temple was discovered in the field belonging to R S Hiremath. The temple is in a dilapidated condition. The walls of the temple, its gopuram, two Nandi idols, two Shiva lingas and boulders were found on the spot. Historians believe that the temple was constructed during the rule of the Kadambas. More research and excavation is expected to throw light on the temple's past.

Vishnu Flanked By His Personified Attributes

This work from the 10th Century portrays Vishnu, the Hindu God, and several of his avatars. It is currently on display at the Frist Museum in Nashville, as part of an exhibit entitled Vishnu: Hinduism’s Blue-Skinned Savior. The exhibit includes a paintings, sculptures like this one, and several Hindu shrines from people’s homes. There is an excellent guide [.pdf], from which the above picture is taken, and there have been several lectures on aspects of Hinduism and the role of these works in people’s lives.

The figure in the center is Vishnu, with four arms. He holds a conch shell, a discus, and a mace, symbols of the God. The fourth hand is held up thumb touching forefinger, a position called gyan mudra, a sacred hand position, which my yoga teacher says harnesses the divine energy flow to the human, but which has other meanings as well. He is richly dressed: a large head piece, long earrings, a necklace or two, an asymmetrical belt over his left shoulder hanging down and circling around his waist, a loincloth, dangling jewels, arm and ankle bracelets, and a long cord draping from his upper arms. He wears a halo, perhaps lotus leaves or flames. His face is stylized. The most notable thing to me is that he is smiling.

On either side there are small images, nearly the same on either side. From the top left down, there are seated musicians, a seated figure holding what looks to me like a torch and a scroll, and horsemen, perhaps on an elephant head.

At the bottom, there are six figures, male and female, each holding different things. These are avatars, personifications of one aspect of Vishnu. The guide tells us that Vishnu is all-in-one, all things worthy of worship. The avatars are expressions of one part of that perfection, each in a form we mere humans can understand and relate to. The Guide says that people use the avatars as focal points for devotion, because they are easier to grasp than the transcendent splendor of Vishnu.

Years ago, I was at the Uffizi looking at the Annunciation by Simone di Martini. As I stood there, several groups of Japanese tourists came through, looked at everything and moved on. Later I wondered what that altarpiece meant to them. Did they know that the lily is a sign of purity, a fact taught me by the Holy Cross nuns at St. Joe Grade School? Did they understand the significance of the mantle over her head, or the nature of the angel? Did they feel the same way I did when I saw this frieze of Vishnu?

I can appreciate the craftsmanship in this work, and I understand whatever the curators choose to tell me about it, and I could learn more if I wanted to, but at the end, there is only an intellectual appreciation of the work. It will never have the deep meaning for me created by years of contact with a sophisticated culture and religion, passed on to me by parents, family, friends and society, imprinted from birth, and enriched by my own study and my own efforts to comprehend.

John Dewey says that art is a communicative experience. (This discussion is based on the chapter on aesthetics in Dewey, A Beginner’s Guide by David Hildebrand) The artist feels there is something to be said, and goes through a process of manipulating physical materials into the communication of an mental construct or emotion, then attempting to perceive the work as the perceiver will, then reworking the physical materials, back and forth until the work is complete. Perceivers do the same thing, experiencing, processing the experience and sinking back into the act of perception, until we feel in ourselves the things that the work can produce in us.

In the words of this theory, my perception is too limited to see the full extent of the accomplishment of this unknown artist.

The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Orissa | Heritage structures get govt attention 13th century temples lie uncared for

(From top) The Gangeswara and Yamuneswara twin temples, a sculpture on one of the temple walls, the tank in the precinct and another sculpture. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, April 19: They could be smaller in size compared to other majestic ancient monuments in the city, but the Gangeswara and Yamuneswara twin temples hold immense social and historical significance.

But the aspects of history that the temples hold may fade just like the monuments, owing to the lack of maintenance and neglect of authorities. Situated on the Ganga-Yamuna road, the temples date back to the 13th century. The two temples are ascribed to have been built during the rule of the Ganga dynasty. Today, they lie amidst dense vegetation that not only mars the beauty of the monuments but also leads to cracks on their surfaces. Many portions of the temples lie broken and the astounding sculptural art that is inscribed on the walls are also falling prey to weathering.

“The Gangeswara temple is carved with secular images with amorous poses of male and female figures,” said historian Sadashiba Pradhan. One can get a clear picture of the lifestyle, costumes and culture of those times through the various images visible on the temple walls. Beautiful floral motifs as well as images of deities have also been carved on the temple. But currently the monument shows signs of distress.

While several sculptures on one of the walls of Gangeswara have been broken and removed, many parts bear cracks. An ancient idol of Ganesha is also lying detached in the precinct. Over the years, the higher level of the road has led to the water being accumulated in the temple’s precinct.

Another important feature of the twin temples is the Ganga Yamuna tank that lies within the same precinct. Historians believe that the tank was built before the temples. It is surrounded by an embankment with outlets for excess water. Local residents use it for religious rituals and bathing purposes.

“The tank is very sacred for us and we believe bathing in it keeps us free from skin diseases. But the water is getting contaminated due to seepage from new buildings that have come up right beside the tank,” said Babuli, a local resident.

Culture department authorities say there are plans to repair and maintain the ancient structures. “The structures will be repaired soon with help of experts on archaeology,” said culture department secretary Ashok Tripathy.