Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c6.3

c6.3

The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSA) under the dynamic leadership of Dr. R. Nagaswamy and his able successor, Mr. Natana Kasinathan, has done much to promote epigraphical studies in Tamil Nadu. Dr. Nagaswamy was my colleague in the study of cave inscriptions right from the beginning. He placed the resources of his department at my disposal during my field trips, himself accompanying me to many of the caves. Natana Kasinathan has also participated in the field studies. A new generation of Tamil epigraphists trained by Dr. Nagaswamy in the decipherment of Tamil-Brāhmī and Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscriptions is now active in the field. The 'Madurai Group' comprising Mr. C. Bose, Dr. S. Rajagopal, Mr. C. Santhalingam and Dr. V. Vedachalam of the TNSA accompanied me to almost all the caves during the second field expedition and helped in solving many knotty problems in reading the inscriptions. I have no hesitation in acknowledging that the final readings of the inscriptions as they have now emerged are due to the expertise and experience of the Madurai Group of epigraphists of the TNSA.