Kanag-Iswaran to speak at book launch

A book edited by Prof. S. Pathmanathan (Professor Emeritus) and published by the Namasivayam family ‘The Life and Times of R. Namasivayam and his contribution to the restoration of Tirukketisvaram’ will be launched at 5:30 p.m. on 25 April 2013 at Saraswathi Hall Bambalapitiya.

The volume is a compilation of articles in both English and Tamil about the late R. Namasivayam and his contribution to the restoration of the Tirukketisvaram temple.

Legend has it that the temple is located on a piece of land, a part of the 1,000 mountains that make the Himalayas, blown to the shores of Lanka. Hindus believe that Shiva, the great God resides at Tirukketisvaram, the temple built on this piece of land.

During the conflict the temple fell into disrepair. Namasivayam has been at the forefront to initiate the restoration of the temple and has made many meaningful contributions towards bringing the temple back to its original glory.

This book elaborates on the life of Namasivayam from his humble beginnings from his village in Jaffna to his recognition as a prominent lawyer in Colombo and thereafter his pursuit of spirituality through the undertaking of restoring the ancient temple of Tirukketisvaram.

Namasivayam was the son-in-law of Deputy Minister of Education and Acting Auditor General K. Kanagaratnam (1949-1951).

Prof. Pathmanathan has done a marvellous piece of work in explaining the history of the temple, the many bronzes that have been cast for installation at the temple and provides us an understanding of the history and ideology of Hinduism, the history of the temple and the story of Namasivayam’s contribution to the restoration of the great temple.

Moreover, the book is a great resource of information and may even serve as a reference for students on Hindu art and architecture in Sri Lanka.

The Chief Guest of this occasion will be K. Kanag-Iswaran Esq. President’s Counsel who will speak on ‘Service to mankind through spirituality’.