Sri K. Chandrasekharan was at once a lawyer , a scholar of Sanskrit , Tamil and English Literature , an educationist , an ardent devotee of the classical arts of music and dance , a creative artist whose short stories in Tamil have in distinguishing mark of their own, a competent biographer, a sensitive portraitist in miniature, and above all a Rasika in the best sense of the term. He had his intial education in P.S.High School, Mylapore followed by a B.A Hons graduation from Presidency college (1924) and joined the Madras Bar in 1926.
Nurturing with care institutions founded by his father V.Krishnasswamy Iyer, K.Chandrasekharan functioned for years as Secretary and trustee of the Madras Sanskrit college and dispensary. He served as President of the Samskrita Academy and Samskrita Ranga and also as a Secretary of Kuppuswamy Sastri School. He was member and Vice-president for both the Music academy (Chennai) and Kalakshetra (Chennai) and was associated with the management of this prestigious institution for more than fifty years. A Prolific writer in both English and Tamil , he authored books in both language Sri K Chandrasekharan was Tagore Professor of Humanities , Universities of Madras for two terms.(1968-1969)
INTRODUCTION
The occasion of Celebrating Tagore’s 150th birthday anniversary by the Samskrita Academy, Madras has been used to bring out the Second Edition of Golden Harvest containing the series of lectures delivered by K.Chandrasekharan as the first Tagore Professor of Humilities of the University of Madras between the years 1968 and 1969.
Sri K. Chandrasekharan M.A., B.L. was a lawyer by profession; he had close association with men like Sri M. Venkatasubba Rao and Sri P.V Rajamannar (Later Chief Justice of Madras High Court ). After enrolment in the High Court he became law reports of the Madras Law Journal and later of the Madras law Weekly. At the request of the Madras Bar Council, He delivered a series of Lectures on “Administrative Law” which was later published in a Book –form. This earned for him encomiums from leading men like Sir Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer and R.V. Krishna Iyer. During the period of Rajaji’s Chief Ministership of Madras he was one of the member of an election Tribunal. His Judgement Earned the unqualified appreciation of justice M. Venkatasubha Rao.
Sri. K. Chandrasekharan was more interested in aesthetic pursuits rather than being a professional celebrity. From very early years he learnt painting. He preferred classical painting and made a deep study of Dr. Ananda Coomaraswami’s works which brought him into close assoiciation with Sir jinaraja Dasa and Srimati Rukhmini Devi, the then President of the Theosophical Society, Adyar. He was conversant with the sastra and mudras of Bharata natyam and was highly venerated by the famous exponent of Bharata Natyam, Srimati balasaraswathi herself. He was Member and Vice-President , Kalakshetra Foundation founded and nurtured by Smt. Rukhmini Devi. He also learnt Carnatic Music Academy and later become its vice-President.
Sri K. Chandrasekharan was a fervent admirer of Rabindranath Tagore and made a deep study of his works. This book is a tribute to the Literary genius of Tagore and deserves to be read to appreciate the author’s effort in dealing with various to be read to appreciate the author’s efforts in dealing with various aspects of Tagore’s literary works. The Writer has pointed out that Mr. Heidenstam , who received the Nobel award for Literature after Tagore , recommended to the Swedish academy that Tagore be made from Nobel laureate on the ground that “for the first time and perhaps for the last, for a long time to come, it would be vouchsafed us to discover a great name..”
In his first essay Chandrasekharan has dwelt upon (to some extent) the relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Tagore and the serious differences between them in their approaches towards the national problems. The Mahatma with his breadth of vision paid a compliment to the Gurudev stating “It is my conviction that Gurudev as a person was greater than his work... This is perhaps true of all great and good men.”
It is very appropriate that Mr. Gopalakrishna Gandhi, a grandson of the Mahatma will release the Second Edition while presiding over the celebrations. The Academy is thankful to the The Tagore Commemoration Grants Scheme (TCGS) of the Ministry of Culture, Govt. Of India for extending financial assistance to publish this book.
The content to the present volume include the nine lectures delivered by me as the Tagore Professor of Humanities of the Madras University , between the years 1968 and 1969. These form the second series of lectures ,the first series having been already printed and published by Messrs Macmillan & co. ., under the title CULTURE AND CREATIVITY, in 1968.
As in the former book, topics were chosen representing the many aspects of Literacy writing in most of which something of valuable contribution had been by the Poet Rabindranath Tagore. His comprehensive ranges of culture as well as his profound thinking on many of the trends in modernity have added much to any serious discussion of problems facing humanity in general.
I was hesitant for some time in bringing out this additional volume owing to want of an enthusiastic publisher. I am therefore beholden to the Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Publishers , for agreeing to undertake the publishing of this book.
I own an apology to my readers ,especially those quite unfamiliar with Tamil , for redreining from translating two passage in Tamil, in the Chapter, HUMOUR IS LIFE –BELT, sampling parody as an art. Because of the fact that the passage given ha sits life in the very turns of expression employed ,any transition would only defeat the purpose of the attempts. To omit it wholly would be denying Tamil-knowing readers of a rich source of effective parody.
I would be failing in gratitude if I do not acknowledge the help rendered by Sri. V. S.Muthia, M.A., L.T., A.M.I.S., former librarian of the Madras University Library ,and Brahmasri V.H. Subrahmanya Sastri, former Principal, Madras Sanskrit College, with whom discussion enabled me to fulfil my task better than I would have without them.
I am grateful to the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Madras , the late Dr.A.Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar, for his gracious permission to publish myself these lectures.
I am Thankful to M.L.J.Press Private ltd., Madras, for their printing of the book with their usual quality of execution.
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