By: S. Yoganathan

There are authentic historical evidences to claim that from time immemorial Tamils have been living in Srilanka as a civilized populace. Tamil Pranik stone –engravings belonging to Third Century B.C. have been excavated engravings belonging to in the Tamil regions of Srilanka. The excavatory researches that have taken place in Kandharodai, Aannaikkottai etc. establish how the Tamil had lived and grown as Megalithic civilized populace and the way civilization and cultural development had taken place in the Tamil regions of Srilanka in the above mentioned period on an equal footing with that of South India. There are so many significant excavatory evidence to authenticate this. The Romans had business contacts with the Srilankan Tamils. And we have records to prove that the highly civilized Srilankan Tamils had business contacts with Arabs and Chinese in the 5th Century A.D.

In the 13th Century A.D. a Government of Tamil-Saivite culture had come to be in Jaffna. Agriculture and Trade were the two main fountainheads of its economy. An intensely refined cultural growth stood out as the significant aspect of this state. And, as the capital of this State, Nallur rose to fame. More than that it could be seen as the cultural identity of the government concerned.

With the arrival of the Portugese, the fall of the empire came to be. And it is history that the pride and glory of Ceylon which had become enslaved in the Sixteenth Century is still fighting for its freedom.The complete history of Srilankan Tamils is yet to be written. The archelogical excavations undertaken by the Government of Srilanka have always been with the specific purpose of highlighting the pride and glory of Sinhalese and Buddhists and to ignore and even black out the worthiness of Tamils. This is indeed a well-known fact. During my years in Peradhana University as a student of history I had the misfortune of being a silent eye - witness to this practice. The department of Archeology and in particular, those like Dr. Parana Vidhana have taken great pains to fill the history of Srilankan Tamils with lots of dust and mud. And till date the official journals and books on history are actively engaged in this unjust practice. Unfortunately, the Tamil scholars who were in the Department of History in the early stage did not show any interest in throwing light on the truths of the history of Srilanka. In this darkness there came Prof. Ganapathi Pillai, who, though belonged to the Dept. of Tamil, evinced keen interest in the history of Srilanka and so entered it as an all-pervading glow. Then came Professor Indhirabala who extended and expanded this path with the help of his firm and steadfast analytical approach. And now people like Professor Padmanathan, Sitrambalam and others are engaged in probing deeper and deeper and knowing the real history of Ceylon and in this direction they are proceeding with keen interest, great sincerity and hard work. And, if their efforts give rise to a new set of historical analysists and researchers that would prove helpful in throwing more light on “Eelam” history.

Modern Science, as in all other fields, has introduced a lot of new concepts and methods in the area of historical researches too and so enabled them acquire speed, accuracy and authenticity. Especially in the field of Archeology Science has thrown in a lot of light because of which there is no room for assumptions and hypothetical conclusions. Disclosure means revealing the truth and nothing else.

The establishment of a University in Jaffna brought about many constructive changes. The foremost of it all is the system of unrestricted historical research and analyses.The Tamil region which time and nature have covered with sand, remain unseen and is yet to reveal its time- immemorial rich history. But, against all odds and in an incompatible and even hostile climate many researchers of the younger generation are actively engaged in unearthing this hidden history and they go about doing it with atmost are actively engaged in unearthing there hidden history and they go about doing there with utmost dedication and commitment, I know. And, I recognise the identity of learned friend ‘Macro non-Titasic’V.N.Giritharan among them and I feel immensely happy about it.

These intellectuals who have come into the field of historical research and investigation with great vigour and enthusiasm are indeed the need of this hour. Let their numbers multiply.I have identified Dr.Po.Ragupathy as a powerful whirlwind in the field of Archeology. The book titled ‘Early settlements’ penned by Ragupathy ,who stood in the forefront when it came to effective archeological researches in the Tamil regions, is a valid guide to the would be historical researchers. Giritharan who has in the same way as Ragupathy, keen interest and an analytical bent of mind, had taken the subject of Architecture as his graduation course of study. From that time itself, he has nurtured a lot of great dreams about Nallur Rajdhani which had developed a great grand noble history for itself. That analytical bent of mind has come out now in the form of a brief but effectively compact hand-book of research and analyses.

One and all should appreciate Giritharan for having written this book in memory of his motherland despite going through a life of sorrows and sufferings. In between those strains and traumas in acquiring the evidential proofs, with ‘patience’ and ‘seeking’ in the forefront, he has penned this book in a powerful and poignant manner. At a later period, for the researchers of the younger generations who would be living, inhaling the free air of liberty and equality this book would no doubt prove a beacon-light. In the history of ‘Eelam’ (Ceylon) Nallur has had a role to play. It was a renowned city way back at the time of Chola rule itself. Afterwards, it was the glorious capital of Jaffna state,created in a well-planned and meticulous manner. Yet, the length and breadth of this empire has not yet been fully investigated. But, undettered, on the basis of his analytical study and direct experience in the field concerned he has set out to explain logically the layout of Nallur Rajdhani.

Giritharan has the principal qualities required of a historical researcher, sincerity and patience, in full. He takes into consideration even those historical evidences which have no basis and which are quite a lot. And he sets out to analyse them extensively and establish how correct or incorrect they are. This maturity of mind which is required foremost of a historian is inherent in this young author and this fact is enough to throw light on his vast knowledge and deep insight. And, his analytical bent of mind and viewpoint are further enhanced by his distinct style of writing which is at once simple and rich. Till date I have not met Giritharan. Only through his writing I have come to know him as an intelligent writer who has a seeking for more and more knowledge and wisdom who writes for a case and with a purpose. This analytical work of his reveals to us another aspect of his self. or rather, another facet of his self. And indeed, with pride and precision.

I read this book twice for the purpose of writing a foreword to it. When I sat down to think of all that I had read my heart began to weigh heavy without my knowledge. My home is in Nallur. And my thoughts raced to that place. I can hear the bells of Nallur temple which would reach us through the cool breeze at dawn,softly,oh softly as a heart-melting symphony.I come on foot, treading along Veeramaakaaliyamman Temple, Sattanadhar, Veiyilugandha Pillayar and Kailasanadhar temple. Yamunaari brings about never fading wonder and awe within. That air, ‘Poovarasam’ blossoms, sweet flowing dialect, the head-shaking palm trees that are the symbols of the soil, bright white clouds, mug full of water......

Along with them those sand-covered mounds, the remains of fallen old buildings - all crowd the memory.Going farther down the memory lane I see our glorious past. Giritharan not only takes us all to that Rajdhani of the past but also make us heave a huge sigh. But, this sigh doesn’t give us sorrow. On the other hand, it renews and rejovenates our grit and determination. And, this will power tells us that soon Giritharan and myself would be standing in the streets of Nallur Rajdhani holding our head high in pride and joy.

The contribution of the Tamil in the field of Architecture is hailed and applauded the world over. The norms and traditions followed in architecture and carving are our great wealth. We can even say that these make one and all view the technical knowledge and skill of the Tamils in this area, with great aston-ishment.

Giritharan’s knowledge of architecture is praise-worthy. Going beyond the boundaries of his academic studies he has accumulated and enriched his knowledge in this field, taking great pains, and, with an unquenchable thirst. This book bears testimony to this trait, of the author. Especially, Giritharan’s comprehensive explanation regarding Vaasthu Sasthra.

In this book, Giritharan has high-lighted the basic principles and salient features of architecture, city layout in a simple and straight manner. The way he throws light on everything providing informations and explanations this book would be a model work, for research students, I predict, and, I know for sure that my prediction won’t be wrong. I sincerely hope that the readers would help Giritharan in enabling maps and photographs relevant to this book included in the next edition. Giritharans untiring efforts, in a hostile climate where there was no access to any relevant or necessary information, has enable the book to shape so as a useful collection. And, for this the Srilanka Tamils living all over the world and also in their motherland would extend their whole-hearted appreciation and thanks to Giridhanran, And, for this achievement Giritharan can justly feel proud and happy. This book would instil in each and every Srilanka Tamil who go through this book, pride, grit and determination, self-confidence, solemn pledges and a lot more. And, this book would strengthen and multiply such feelings. And what more a writer can want to feel happy and glorious? And I extend my whole-hearted appreciation to the Sneha Publishers for bringing out this book in a splendid manner. They can justly feel proud for this.