Scientific citations found in Tamil literature can be used as geological time scale to measure the geographical events of the earth over the past 40,000 years said S. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor, Gandhigram Deemed University, Dindigul, here on Thursday.
Inaugurating a seminar on disaster management citations in Tamil Literature organised by the Department of Industries and Earth Sciences at Tamil University here, Dr. Ramasamy said that scholars speak volumes about the poetic aspects of Tamil Literature but fail to note the scientific citations in them. When they are identified, studied and understood, the citations indicate various geological events and topography of the earth. Satellite pictures of earth and computer simulation corroborate the scientific citations found in Tamil Literature, Dr. Ramasamy said.
He cited examples from Silappathikaram, Thiruvilaiyadalpuranam, and Kamba Ramayanam to drive home his point . In Silappathikaram, Kavunthiyadigal says that Madurai is earthquake prone. Satellite pictures also reveal that Madurai, Kambam, Theni, Kottayam are earthquake prone. Kamba Ramayanam reveals that Lord Rama took the sea route that is safe and where "sea current due to waves is less" to reach Sri Lanka. Lord Rama visits Vedaranyam and Manalmelkudi but does not cross the sea there, as the sea is rough and the wind currents are strong. Finally he crosses the sea at Rameswaram , where the sea is calm.
ADVERTISEMENT
There are also references to marine transgressions, tsunami, tectonic movement of earth plate, sea level change, and earth movement in the Tamil literary works.
A joint research by Geologists, Tamil Scholars, Epigraphists, Ocean Study experts can throw light on "Kumari Kandam", Dr.Ramasamy said, and released a CD of papers to be presented in the seminar.
M.Rajendran, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University, released the compendium of papers to be presented in the seminar.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dr.Rajendran said that Tamil University may enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Gandhigram Deemed University for conducting research on "Kumari Kandam" and Poompuhar. The Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has asked the Tamil University at the World Classical Tamil Conference held at Coimbatore to take up the research on "Kumari Kandam".