A comprehensive work on chaste Sanskrit inscriptions of ancient Tamil Nadu, under Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas and their vassals; focusing on the then prevalent socio-economic, literary, religio-cultural and administrative paradigms.

Why are some places in the world characterized by better social service provision and welfare outcomes than others? In a world in which millions of people, particularly in developing countries, continue to lead lives plagued by illiteracy and ill-health, understanding the conditions that promote social welfare is of critical importance to political scientists and policy makers alike. Drawing on a multi-method study, from the late-nineteenth century to the present, of the stark variations in educational and health outcomes within a large, federal, multiethnic developing country - India - this book develops an argument for the power of collective identity as an impetus for state prioritization of social welfare. Such an argument not only marks an important break from the dominant negative perceptions of identity politics but also presents a novel theoretical framework to understand welfare provision.

What do you know about Carnatic music? South India`s dance styles? Handloom weavers of Andhra Pradesh? The Madras Sanskrit College? The art of Ivory carving? Temple murals? Who was Ramanuja? How have Christians contributed to art, literature and architecture in South India? What`s notable about Gangaikondacholapuram, Belur, or Islamic places of worship? What do we know irrigation practices in Ancient South India? The evolution of Malayalam literature? What is special about the cuisines of South India? These are some of the 500-odd topics on South India`s Heritage discussed in this book. It provides snapshots of the collective cultural experience of the people of South India, their heroes, their rivers, lakes and hills and forests, their temples, their music, dance and folklore. The book has a general section on South India`s Heritage, common to the four southern states. It is followed by three sections--political, socio-economic and cultural. The book covers South India`s Heritage till the end of the nineteenth century. The book is targeted specifically at Indian students from South India who go abroad for college education. It is meant to give them an idea of our heritage--kindle their interest in the subject, enable them to answer questions, serve as their heritage companion and guide. A product of painstaking research, the book reflects an earnest attempt to shed light on a complex, amorphous, many-faceted subject and give it form, shape and substance.

The Tamils have an unbroken history of more than two thousand years. Tamil, the language they speak, is one of the oldest living languages in the world. The only people comparable to the Tamils in terms of their hoary past and vibrant present would be the Jews with one marked difference. The Tamils have always had their homeland 'Tamilaham' (alternately pronounced and spelt 'Tamizhaham') known today as Tamil Nadu which to them represents their mother and is revered by them as 'Tamizh Tai' literally ‘Tamil Mother’. This is in striking contrast to the Jews who have been through a long and arduous struggle to gain their homeland, a deeply contested site to this day with Hebrewisation of Israel being a key marker of Jewish identity in the region. Tamils, by contrast have a clear numerical majority in the region that now comprises Tamil Nadu and the language unites rather than divides adherents of different faiths. The second edition of Historical Dictionary of the Tamils contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 600 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Tamils.

This Conference Proceedings of the National Seminar entitled “Multidisciplinary Research and Practice” compiled by Dr. M. Kanika Priya records various research papers written by eminent scholars, professors and students. The articles range from English literature to Tamil literature, Arts, Humanities, Social Science, Education, Performing Arts, Information and Communication Technology, Engineering, Technology and Science, Medicine and Pharmaceutical Research, Economics, Sociology, Philosophy, Business, Management, Commerce and Accounting, Teacher Education, Higher Education, Primary and Secondary Education, Law, Science (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany), Agriculture and Computer Science. Researchers and faculty members from various disciplines have contributed their research papers. This book contains articles in Three languages, namely: English, Tamil and Hindi. As a editor Dr. M. Kanika Priya has taken up the tedious job of checking the validity and correctness of the research work in bringing out this conference proceedings in a beautiful manner. In its present shape and size, this anthology will, hopefully, find a place on the library shelves and enlighten the academics all round the world.