S. Srikanta Sastri

S. Srikanta Sastri
S. Srikanta Sastri
Born (1904-11-05)5 November 1904
Nanjanagud, India[1]
Died 10 May 1974(1974-05-10) (aged 69)[1]
Bangalore, India
Nationality Indian
Known for Sources of Karnataka History[2][3] Bharathiya Samskruti, Hoysala Vastushilpa, Proto Indic Religion[4][5]
Spouse(s) Nagarathnamma
Awards Kannada Sahitya Parishat Award (1970), Mythic Society Diamond Jubilee Honour, Festschrift Volume - "Srikanthika"[6]
Website www.srikanta-sastri.org
Academic background
Alma mater Maharaja College, Mysore
Academic work
Institutions University of Mysore[1]
Notable students G. Venkatasubbaiah, M. Chidananda Murthy, U. R. Ananthamurthy, R. K. Laxman, R. K. Narayan, Chaduranga, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, Y. G. Krishnamurti[Notes 1]
Signature

Sondekoppa Srikanta Sastri (Kannada: ಎಸ್. ಶ್ರೀಕoಠ-ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀ) (5 November 1904 – 10 May 1974) was an Indian historian, Indologist, and polyglot.[1][7][8] He authored about 12 books, over two hundred articles, several monographs and book reviews over four decades in English, Kannada, Telugu and Sanskrit.[9][10] To his credit are such works as "Sources of Karnataka History",[2] "Geopolitics of India & Greater India",[11] "Bharatiya Samskruthi" (a compendium on Indian culture and tradition)[12] and "Hoysala Vastushilpa" (a study of temple architecture of the Hoysala period in Karnataka).[13] S. Srikanta Sastri was a polyglot well versed in fourteen languages spanning Greek, Latin, Pali, Prakrit, Sanskrit and German among others.[14][15][16] He was Head of the Department of History & Indology at Maharaja College, University of Mysore between 1940 - 1960.[17][18] He was conferred the Kannada Literary Academy award in 1970[1] and was subsequently honoured by Governor of Karnataka Mohanlal Sukhadia in 1973 during mythic society diamond jubilee function.[19] A Festschrift was brought forth and presented to him during his felicitation function in 1973 titled "Srikanthika" with articles on History and Indology by distinguished scholars.[20][21] His work on Indus Valley Civilization and town planning at Harappa and Mohenjodaro were published in successive articles and drew considerable attention.[22] His Research articles on The Aryan Invasion theory,[23][4] the date of Adi Sankaracharya,[24] Oswald Spengler's view on Indian Culture,[25] Jaina Epistemology,[26] Proto-Vedic religion of Indus Valley Civilization[4] and Evolution of the Gandaberunda[27][28] insignia remain relevant today.[29][30]

Ancestry

S. Srikanta Sastri was born into a scholarly lineage. A paternal ancestor - Yagnapathi Bhatta was a famous court poet in the court of Kempegowda. Maternal Ancestor Umamahesvara Sastri, a renowned court poet in the Vijayanagara Kingdom had earned the title of "Abhinava Kalidasa" for his work "Bhagavata Champu".[31] His uncles - Vidwan Motaganahalli Mahadeva Sastri,[32] Vidwan Shankara Sastri and Asthan Maha Vidwan Ramashesha Sastri were eminent court poets in the Mysore Palace. Vidwan Ramshesha Sastri was the first person to translate "Bhagavata" to Kannada from Sanskrit.[33] His other works include "Mudra Rakshaka" and "Mukundananada Bhana", "Balika Gitavali", "Karnataka Hitopadesham" and a script for Gubbi Veeranna titled "Pandava Jaya". His cousin Asthan Vidwan Motaganahalli Subramanya Sastri, editor of "Ranga Bhoomi" is credited with "Karnata Malavikagnimitra", "Skanda Purana" and "Ramayana" (Translations).[1][7][10][15][19][34][35]

Maharaja's College Group Photo showing Kuvempu, Ta Ra Su, A. R. Krishna Sastri, Ralapalli Anatha Krishna Sharma among others

Early life

Group Photograph of History Department of University of Mysore showing S. Srikanta Sastri with his teacher Prof S. V. Venkateswara (sitting in the middle)

S. Srikanta Sastri was born in 1904 in Nanjanagud, Mysore as the second child of Seshamma and Ramaswamy Sastri of the Telugu Mulakanadu community of Brahmins.[19] He had his preliminary schooling in the cities of Kolar, Nanjanagud and Chikkaballapur before moving to Mysore. After finishing his school, he pursued his Bachelor's and subsequently Master's degree in History at Maharaja college, Mysore. Here he came under the influence of S. V. Venkateswara (History)[pictured], J. C. Rollo, B. M. Srikantaiah (English), V. L. D'Souza, H. Krishna Rao (Greek History), N. S. Subba Rao (Economics) and M. H. Krishna (Ancient History).[10] During these years, he penned his first article titled "Conquests of Siladitya in the South" on the reign of King Harsa Siladitya in the "Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland" in July, 1926.[36] On completion of his education, S. Srikanta Sastri secured the post of a tutor at Maharaja College, University of Mysore in the Department of History (1930) and subsequently became a Lecturer in the Department in 1935. Contemporaneous at this time were such other eminent personalities at Maharaja College, Mysore, as K. V. Puttappa (Kuvempu), A. R. Krishna Sastri, Ralapalli Anantha Krishna Sharma, V. Seetharamaiah, T. S. Shamarao and N. Anantharangachar.(all pictured in group photograph).

Works

S. Srikanta Sastri authored about 12 books, 224 articles [100 in English, 114 in Kannada, 8 in Telugu, 1 in Sanskrit & Hindi] and three monographs and book reviews in Kannada, English, Telugu and Sanskrit.[37] Among his earliest essays were "Kannada Nayananda" and "Shivaganga Kshetra" - a treatise on the religious centre of Shivaganga. He published his first article in the "Journal of Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland" at the age of twenty two.[36] He subsequently authored a small piece on King Devaraya of Vijayanagara Kingdom in the "Indian Antiquary". His earliest book "Sources of Karnataka History, Vol I" provides a list of resource material in the form of inscriptions, epigraphics and tablets enabling a detailed study of history of state of Karnataka over two millenia.[2] His next work - "Geopolitics of India and Greater India" was on the evolving Geo-Political scene in Asia and India's role in the coming decades where he outlines a union of nations, coming together to complement each others needs - a forerunner to the WARSAW PACT, NATO, SAARC and BRICS associations.[11] His third book - "Early Gangas of Talakad" published in 1952 dealt with the rise and fall of Ganga Dynasty in Southern Karnataka.[38] This received a favourable review by Emeritus Professor of Oriental Law J Duncan M Derrett in the Journal of Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland in July 1953.[39] His fourth book "Bharatiya Samskruti" (Kannada: ಭಾರತೀಯ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ) served to illuminate on cultural, traditional and historical aspects of India spanning over three millenia.[12][40] S. Srikanta Sastri's study on the Nayaka rulers of Chitradurga in his research article "Capitulation of Chitradurga" (1928) describes the decline and fall of Palegars in early eighteenth century.[41][28]

List of books

Recognition

Governor Mohanlal Sukhadia honouring S. Srikanta Sastri

S. Srikanta Sastri is the second person to receive D. Litt from University of Mysore in 1949. In 1958, S. Srikanta Sastri presided over the Kannada Literary Conference (Kannada: ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ ಕಲಾಗೋಷ್ಠಿ) at Bellary, Karnataka. He was conferred the Kannada Literary Academy (Kannada: ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ) award in 1970.[51] During the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Mythic Society, Karnataka Governor Mohanlal Sukhadia (pictured) honoured S. Srikanta Sastri for Lifetime Contribution to Historical Research & Studies. The University of Mysore brought forth a Festschrift Volume titled "Srikanthika" (Kannada: ಶ್ರೀಕಂಠಿಕ) with articles on History and Indology by distinguished scholars. In 1994, S. Srikanta Sastri's portrait was unveiled in The Daly Hall of Fame at Mythic Society, Bangalore during The South Indian Numismatics Conference - 1994. In 2004, to mark his birth centenary, a two day National Seminar was conducted, where several papers were presented in honour of S. Srikanta Sastri. The Mythic Society, Bangalore has published "Centenary Commemoration Volume" containing these papers presented during this occasion.[52][53] The Government of Karnataka as part of celebrations marking fifty years of statehood brought forth a reprint of "Bharatiya Samskruti" in 2008.

Legacy

S. Srikanta Sastri taught history for more than three decades (1926 - 1960) at Maharaja College, Mysore. He delivered over twenty lectures on the state radio at Mysore, Bangalore and Dharwad radio stations of Akashavani. He reviewed books in popular newspapers of his time.[54] He penned numerous Forewords and Introductions to various books.[55][56] As a founding Professor of Department of Indology at University of Mysore, he was instrumental in developing the course material.[57][58] His students include G. Venkatasubbaiah, U. R. Ananthamurthy, M. Chidananda Murthy, T. V. Venkatachala Sastry, S. R. Rao, R. K. Narayan, R. K. Laxman, H. Y. Sharada Prasad and Y. G. Krishnamurti.[14] He passed away on 10, May 1974 at the age of sixty nine in Bangalore.[59]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 S. R., Ramaswamy (2012). ದೀವಿಟಿಗೆಗಳು - Dīvaṭigegaḷu: vyakticitragaḷu (First ed.). Bangalore: Sāhitya Sindhu Prakāśana. pp. 184 – 207. ISBN 8186595023. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 V. S., Sampathkumaracharya (2006). Life in the Hoysala age, 1000-1340 A.D. (First ed.). Mysore: Bharateeya Ithihasa Samkalana Samiti. p. 426. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Nāgarājayya, Hampa (2010). Rāṣṭrakūṭas : revisited (First ed.). Bangalore: K.S. Muddappa Smaraka Trust Krishnapuradoddi. p. 417. ISBN 9788190818353. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Possehl, Gregory L (1979). Ancient Cities of The Indus (First ed.). New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House Pvt Ltd. p. 411. ISBN 0706907817. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  5. 1 2 C. U., Manjunath (2012). ಶಾಷನಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ [Śāsanagaḷu mattu Karṇāṭaka saṃskr̥ti: A. D. 1150-1340] (First ed.). Kuppam: Chitrakala Prakashana. p. 280. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  6. ↑ Srikantayya, K (1983). ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಕಾಲದ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಜನಜೀವನ ಚಿತ್ರ (ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ, ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಮತ್ತು ರಾಜಕೀಯ) (Second ed.). Mysore: Geetha Book House. p. 508.
  7. 1 2 T. V., Venkatachala Sastry (2000). ಮುಲುಕನಾಡು ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮನರು [Mulakanāḍu Brāhmaṇaru: samudāya, saṃskr̥ti] (2nd ed.). Bangalore: Mulakanāḍu Mahāsaṅgha. pp. 438 – 440. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  8. ↑ Rahman, M.M. (2005). Encyclopedia of historiography (1st ed.). New Delhi, India: Anmol Publications. ISBN 8126123052.
  9. ↑ Cultural Correspondent, . (6 September 1991). "ధరిత్రిప్త్ చరిత్రగారుల్ల మహత్తరుడు (Great Historian - S. Srikanta Sastri)". News Article (Anantpur Ed. (Page 7)) (Eenadu News). Eenadu Supplement.
  10. 1 2 3 Mahasabha, Mulukanadu (2000). ಮುಲುಕನಾಡು ಮಹನೀಯರು [Mulakanāḍu mahanīyaru] (1st ed.). Mysore: Maisūru Mulakanāḍu Sabhā. p. 215. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 V. S., Sampath Kumara Acharya (2004). ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸಂಗೀತ ವಿಷಯ ವಿಶ್ವಕೊಷ - Vol I (1st ed.). Mysore: Author. p. 409.
  12. 1 2 3 K, Srikantaiah (1983). ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಕಾಲದ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಜನಜೀವನ ಚಿತ್ರ (1st ed.). Mysore: ಗೀತಾ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಭವನ. p. 506.
  13. 1 2 Kamath, Ravindra (1991). ಹೊಯ್ಸಳ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ವಾಸ್ತುಶಿಲ್ಪ (1st ed.). Mysore: Ankita Book Publishers. p. 400.
  14. 1 2 3 T. V., Venkatachala Sastry (1985). ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಶಿಲ್ಪಿಗಳು [Sāhitya śilpigaḷu] (1st ed.). Bangalore: Kalāsāhitya Prakāśana. pp. 36 – 40. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  15. 1 2 Rao, Nagaraj. H. M (2013). ಚಿತ್ರ - ಚೌಕಟ್ಟು (ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಚಿತ್ರ ಮಾಲೆ) - "Chitra Chowkattu" (1st ed.). Mysore: Tara Prints. pp. 54–62.
  16. ↑ Sastry, Venkatachala. T. V. (2013). ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯಾನುವಾದ (ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀಯ - ಸಂಪುಟ ೧೦) - "Sahityanuvada". Bangalore: Sapna Book House. p. 241. ISBN 9788128022272.
  17. ↑ Nayak, G. H. (2013). "ಮಹಾರಾಜ ಕಾಲೇಜಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಠ ಹೇಳಿದ ಗುರುಗಳು". www.srikanta-sastri.org (Andolana Editorial Team). Andolana Newspaper. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  18. ↑ Society Centenary Volume, Mythic (2008). Mythic Society Centenary Volume. Bangalore: Mythic Society. p. 252.
  19. 1 2 3 Krishnamurthy, S. R. (1980). ಎಸ್. ಶ್ರೀಕಂಠ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀ (1st ed.). Bangalore: S. R. Krishnamurthy. pp. 24–30.
  20. 1 2 T. V., Mahalingam (1974). Problems in the Study of Art and Architecture (1st ed.). Mysore: University of Mysore. p. 223.
  21. ↑ Harvard, University Library (1 January 1973). "Srīkanṭhikā; Dr. S. Srikantha Sastri felicitation volume". Hollis.harvard.edu. Mysore, Geetha Book House. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  22. ↑ S., Srikanta Sastri (1961). "Harappa Town Planning". Uttarpradesh II (IX): 45. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  23. ↑ S, Srikanta Sastri (1951). India - Original Home of the Aryans (1st ed.). Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 565.
  24. ↑ S, Srikanta Sastri (1930). "A Note on the date of Shankaracharya". Quarterly Journal of Mythic Society 20 (4): 66. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  25. ↑ S, Srikanta Sastri (1929). "Oswald Spengler on Indian Culture". New Era 18 (6): 45. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  26. ↑ S, Srikanta Sastri (1941). "Jaina Epistemology". Jaina Vidya 12 (6): 51. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  27. ↑ S, Srikanta Sastri (1931). "Evolution of the Gandabherunda". Quarterly Journal of Mythic Society 26 (16): 226. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  28. 1 2 3 T. V. Venkatachala Sastry, C. R. Leela Subramanyam (1972). A Bibliography of Karnataka Studies (1st ed.). Mysore: Prasārānga : University of Mysore. p. 79. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  29. 1 2 Herald, Deccan (2004). "Remembering a Visionary". News Article (Deccan Herald Editorial Team). Deccan Herald. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  30. ↑ Balakrishna, Sandeep (2015). "Roots And Wings". Article (SWARAJYA). Swarajya. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  31. ↑ Coward, Harold G (2001). The philosophy of the grammarians (Reprint ed.). Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9788120804265.
  32. ↑ Stietencron, H. V. (1992). Epic and Purāṇic bibliography (1st ed.). Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. ISBN 3447030283.
  33. ↑ Ramaswamy, S. R. (1972). "ವೆಲ್ಲಾಲ ಕವಿಪರಂಪರೆ - Vellala Kaviparampare". News Article (4). Sudha Kannada Magazine. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  34. ↑ S. R., Ramaswamy (2011). ದೀಪ್ತಿಮಂತರು: ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಚಿತ್ರಗಳು [Dīptimantaru: vyakticitragaḷu] (2nd ed.). Bangalore: Sāhitya Sindu Prakāśana. pp. 111 – 126. ISBN 8186595503. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  35. ↑ S. R. Ramaswamy, V. S. Sukthankar (1972). ಮಹಾಭಾರತದ ಬೆಳವನಿಗೆ [Mahābhāratada beḷavaṇige] (1st ed.). Mysore: Kāvyālaya Prakāśakaru. pp. 346 – 348. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  36. 1 2 S, Srikanta Sastri (1926). "Conquests of Siladitya in the South". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland 58 (03): 487. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  37. ↑ Rao, A. N. Krishna (1955). ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಯ ವಿಶ್ವರೂಪ [Bibliography of S. Srikanta Sastri's Works] (1st ed.). Bangalore: ವಿಶ್ವವಾಣಿ. p. 2 (ii).
  38. ↑ Mahalingam, T. V. (1952). "Review of Early Gangas of Talakad by T. V. Mahalingam". QJMS - Quarterly Journal of Mythic Society XIX (6).
  39. 1 2 Derrett, J D M (1953). "Early Gangas of Talakad - review by J D M Derrett". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland 85 (3 - 4): 168–169. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  40. ↑ Harshananda, Swami (2008). A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism (1st ed.). Bangalore: Ramakrishna Math. p. 76. ISBN 9788179070574. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  41. ↑ Lewis, Barry. "Chitradurga Nayakas". barry-lewis.com. Barry Lewis. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  42. ↑ K. S., Shivanna (1988). A Critique of Hoysala Polity (1st ed.). Mysore: S. Prakash. p. 134. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  43. ↑ QJMS (1943) (1943). "Iconography of Sri Vidyarnava Tantra". QJMS - Quarterly Journal of Mythic Society. XXXIV (1): 1–18. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  44. ↑ S, Srikantaiah (1944). "Proto Indic Religion - Review by S. Srikantaiah". QJMS - Quarterly Journal of Mythic Society. XXXIV (4): 49.
  45. ↑ Heras, Fr. (1942). "About a Wild Identification - Fr. Heras". QJMS - Quarterly Journal of Mythic Society 33 (1): 102–107.
  46. ↑ Adiga, malini (2006). The Making of Southern Karnataka: Society, Polity and Culture in the Early Medieval Period (1st ed.). Chennai: Orient Longman. p. 43. ISBN 978-8125029120. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  47. ↑ Sastry, Devadu Narasimha (1935). ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ (1st ed.). Bangalore: ದೇವಡು ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಟಾನ. p. 230.
  48. ↑ S. Srikanta Sastri Felicitation Committee. "Srīkanṭhikā; Dr. S. Srikantha Sastri felicitation volume.". Chicago University Library. University of Mysore. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  49. ↑ Chennappa, S (1973). "ಮಾನವಿಕ ಕರ್ಣಾಟಕ Dr S. Srikanta Sastri Felicitation". Manavika Karnataka 3 (6): 108.
  50. ↑ Del Bonta, Robert J (1977). "A Note on the Iconography - Hoysalas". Marg XXXI (1): 102. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  51. ↑ Iyengar, Krishnaswamy. H. S. K. (1974). "H. S. Krishnaswamy Iyengar on S. Srikanta Sastri". www.srikanta-sastri.org. ಸುಧಾ ವಾರಪತ್ರಿಕೆ - Sudha Magazine. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  52. ↑ Commemoration Volume, Centenary (2004). "Quarterly Journal of Mythic Society". QJMS XCV (4).
  53. ↑ Commemoration Volume, Centenary (2005). "Quarterly Journal of Mythic Society". QJMS XCVI (3).
  54. ↑ Ranganath, H (2002). "ಹಿರಿಯರ ಒಡನಾಟದಲ್ಲಿ - Walk with Elders" (2). Kannada Prabha Editorial. Kannada Prabha.
  55. ↑ Muni, Kumadendu (2003). "Siribhoovalaya" - Review by S. Srikanta Sastri (1st ed.). Bangalore. p. 466.
  56. ↑ Sastry, Venkatachala. T. V. (2014). ಡಾ।। ಎಸ್. ಶ್ರೀಕಂಠಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀಗಳು: ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಸೇವೆ, ಶೋಧನೆ (4th ed.). Bangalore: ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಪರಿಷತ್ತು. p. 130.
  57. ↑ Veṅkaṭasubbayya, G. V. (2010). ಸಿರಿಗನ್ನಡ ಸಾರಸ್ವತರು - Sirigannaḍa Sārasvataru (1st ed.). Beṅgaḷūru: Vasanta Prakāśana. ISBN 9381001340. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  58. ↑ Ali, Sheikh. B (1973). Dr S. Srikanta Sastri as a historian. Mysore: University of Mysore. p. 652.
  59. ↑ S, Ananthanarayan (1972). The Votary of Truth (1st ed.). Mysore: University of Mysore. p. 562.
  1. ↑ Krishnamurti, Y. G. (1943). Independent India and a New World Order (First ed.). Lamington Road, Bombay: The Popular Book Depot. p. XVIII. Retrieved 28 March 2016.

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