Triveni Journal

1927 | 11,233,916 words

Triveni is a journal dedicated to ancient Indian culture, history, philosophy, art, spirituality, music and all sorts of literature. Triveni was founded at Madras in 1927 and since that time various authors have donated their creativity in the form of articles, covering many aspects of public life....

From the Guest Editor

Durai Raja Singam

Discerning thinkers, concerned with the promulgation of wisdom without regard to racial or geographical boundaries, were quick to call attention to the contributions of Ananda K. Coomaraswamy. As might be expected, however, the first recognition found print in India.* Towards the end of the first decade of this century, in 1908, Ganesh and Company, publishers in Madras, issued a three-volume work entitled, “Indian Nation-Builders.” In the third volume, among other great men of India, including Gandhiji and Rabindranath Tagore, honoured place was accorded to Ananda K. Coomaraswamy. An examination of his work was presented under the title of “A Study of Ananda Coomaraswamy” (pp. 337-366). This gave no biographical details but offered an estimate of his writings up to that date. It was followed by two essays of the learned Doctor, quoted in full: “Preface to Essays in National Idealism” (pp. 366-376) and “The Oriental View of Women” (pp. 376-382). This first called attention to the significance of Coomaraswamy’s work.

In the forty years that followed, the numerous articles and books of Coomaraswamy were at times accompanied by biographi­cal details, supplied by the editors of the journals or the publishers of the books. The details were no more than informative support for the treasure chest of his own writings.

The flow of his wisdom continued unabated till 1947, the year of his seventieth birthday–and of his death. The recognition he had won may be seen in the fact that two publications­–Festschrifts–were issued to commemorate his having attained three­score and ten. “Art and Thought” was dedicated to him, edited by K. b. Iyer. And “A Garland of Tributes” was culled in his name, edited ** in 1947.

Unfortunately his death came two weeks after his seventieth birthday; he passed away on September, 9, 1947. A memorial volume, “Homage to Ananda Coomaraswamy” was collected and edited** in 1952.

From that time came on a flood of articles about him, which continues to this day. In 1967, twenty years after his death, Ray Livingston brought out his masterly work, “The Traditional Theory of Literature.” After this came the publication of “Remembering and Remembering Again and Again”. These works, and other writings by and about Coomaraswamy, were now giving impetus to an increasing number of seminar papers and university dissertations about the scholar and thinker, or studies of various aspects of his work. In addition biographies like the latest work, “Coomaraswamy, the Bridge Builder,”** studies in depth and volumes of Selected Writings are being promised for his centennial year. Seminars on his work and commemorative lectures and broadcasts are to be held. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where he was for thirty years, is holding an exhibition to honour his 100th birthday. A collection of Coomaraswamy letters have been compiled.** An itemised bibliography of a thousand or more items is being issued.** New editions of his uncollected essays, and printings of his unpublished papers are being prepared. In India and elsewhere the non-English press are arranging memorial tributes and estimates of his work, in various languages. In the English speaking world, as well as among those closer to his native thought, Coomaraswamy is established as one whose wisdom seminal, whose thoughts are ever fruitful.

Souvenirs and memorials of various kinds have been projected. Sri Lanka (the Ceylon of his birth) has issued a Coomaraswamy stamp which bears his likeness to all parts of the globe –a national distinction that few scholars have attained. (India also issued a commemorative stamp in his honour on Aug. 22, 1977-Editor). Besides the magnificent Princeton Collection of Coomaraswamy’s works, there is being built up two Coomaraswamy Collections** at Jaffna (his ancestral home) at the Jaffna Public Library and the Jaffna Campus, University of Sri Lanka. A fund for the awarding of two Gold Medals (annually) for the reciting of tevaram according to pan has been instituted at the Saiva Paripalana Sabha, an award Coomaraswamy founded when he visited Jaffna in 1906. A film “The Dance of Shiva” portraying his life, has been produced by the U. S. I. S. The achievements of Coomaraswamy will not be soon forgotten; beyond the reach of his name, his ideas and his spirit will become part of the lives, the way of being of countless persons in many lands. Such is always the destiny of those whose wisdom comes to guide mankind.

As Guest Editor of the Triveni Coomaraswamy Special Number, I am happy to convey this Message. The Triveni, with its great tradition, has come out to pay its homage to this great savant and J. am happy to be assosciated with this Special Number.
–DURAI RAJA SINGAM
4th July 1977
Petaling jaya

* First title: Vidya Vinodhan, jaffna, 1906
** By S. Durai Raja Singam

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