Could you talk about your interest in Indic Knowledge Systems?
Our traditional knowledge system is very old. Sangam Literature is 2000 years old. A sense of pride in our culture and tradition is what I want to evoke in the young children.
Have you read Tamil Sangam Literature in the original language?
I have read some Agamam and Puranam. Agamam are 400 songs that happen inisde the house. They are about the relationship between a man and a woman – Thaivar and Thalaivi. Puranam are about the King’s Dharma and songs on courage in the battlefield.
Could you talk about Tamil literature?
Thirukural is one book that has inspired me. There is a Thirukural – “The more you dig a sand-spring, more the flow. The more you learn more the wisdom.”
Could you talk about the Tamil Siddhar tradition?
There are 18 siddhars out of which Agastyar is considered to be the principle siddhar. There is so much STEM knowledge in the siddhar tradition.
Thirumoolar wrote Thirumanthiram. Bogarnather’s works include so much information on Chemistry, Physics and Biology. Siddhar medicine is popular in Tamil Nadu.
In Tamil Sangam Literature the landscapes are described in great detail could you talk about this?
The five landscapes are very important in Tamil Literature. Each landscape has a flower and God and profession.
These 5 landscapes are
Kurunji – Hill. The god is Lord Murugan. The profession is hunting.
Mullai – Forest. The god is Perumal. Lord Vishnu. The profession is shepherding.
Marutham – Fields. The god is Shiva. The profession is farming.
Neithal – Coastlands. The god is Varuna. The profession is fishing.
Palai – Desert, The goddess is Kotravai Durga. This is Kali worship only. The profession is robbery.
