My great-grandfather Thuravoor Narayana Sasthrigal, noted Sanskrit scholar in grammar, and principal of Govt. Sanskrit College, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) from 1909-1911
Last updated on 21 Apr. 2023
Minor update on 7 Jun. 2024
Copied with link update from ravisiyer.blogspot.com on 14 Apr. 2023, first published there on December 16, 2018
Note: This post follows up on my previous post: Trying to get more information about my great-grandfather, Sanskrit scholar Thuravoor Narayana Sasthrigal of Kerala, https://tnarayanasasthri.blogspot.com/2023/04/trying-to-get-more-information-about-my.html , created on 26th Nov. 2018.
[To open pic in higher resolution, right-click on pic followed by open in new tab/window. In new tab/window you may have to click on pic to zoom in.]
I thank Dr. K.Unnikrishnan, current principal of this college, for his co-operation with me over phone, and with an elder Sai devotee friend who visited the college to make the inquiries in person, and took the above pics. I also thank the elder Sai devotee friend for this valuable service to me and my family.We were not able to locate, with certainty, a portrait of TNS. So, I am sorry to say, we do not have a pic of TNS to put up on this post, as of now.
Some relevant extracts from http://gsctvpm.ac.in/?page_id=412 (Govt. Sanskrit college, Thiruvananthapuram) are given below:
H.H.Maharajas Govt.Sanskrit college was founded in 1889 by Sri Mulam Thirunal Rama Varma, one of the most renowned rulers of the States of Travancore. The Maharaja went on a pilgrimage to Banarse and he had occasion to visit the Sanskrit College, there imparting in various Sastras, Being impressed by the College, he on his return invited celebrated scholars in Sanskrit from different parts of India to start a new institution on the model of the Sanskrit College at Banaras. Thus in 1889 the Sanskrit College, took shape in a temple at Mitranandapuram, housed within the Fort area and was run under royal patronage. The institution enjoyed the protection of the ‘Rajashri’ for a long period of 35 years.
...
Sri A. R Raja Raja Varma was appointed the First Principal of the institution by Sri Mulam Tirunal Rama Varma, Mahamahopadyaya Dr. T. Ganapathi Sastri succeeded him as Principal in 1899. On Sri Sastri’s retirement, Sri Thuravoor Narayana Sasthrigal, the celebrated scholar in Sanskrit grammar, became the Principal of the institution.
--- end extracts from gsctvpm.ac.in web page ----
Our Family ties to TNS
Thuravoor Narayana Sasthrigal's (TNS) son was Narayana Ramachandran, who was a First Class Magistrate in the District and Sessions Court in various locations in Kerala and finally, before he retired, he served in the State Secretariat in Trivandrum. N. Ramachandran was B.A., B.L. (Bachelor of Law). His Gotra was Kaundinya, Sutra was Apastamba and Shaka (branch of Veda) was Yajurveda. Note that the Gotra, Sutra and Shakha would have been/is/will be the same for TNS and also N. Ramachandran's male lineage. [Pic of N. Ramachandran and some more info on him is available here: https://ravisiyer.blogspot.com/2020/10/pic-of-my-grandfather-mothers-father.html .]
N. Ramachandran's son was Late R.L.Narasimhan (Narasu) who worked in Tata Mills in Bombay as Cost Accountant. N. Ramachandran's daughters are Late Lakshme Parvathi (my mother) who was married to Late Shri V.M. Suryanarayanan (my father), Accounts Officer, Central Railway, Bombay, and Krishnambal (only one alive among N. Ramchandran's children) who was married to Late Shri Venkitachalam who worked in a private company in Bombay.
Me, my siblings and cousins are the next generation from the above. In other words, Thuravoor Narayana Sasthrigal is our great-grandfather. [Sasthrigal typically means Hindu priest or somebody who is well versed in traditional Hindu knowledge/scriptural knowledge.]
References to TNS in literature and in Wikipedia
1) In Laghu Paniniyam book by A.R. Rajaraja Varma published around 1911.
First we need to know about A.R. Rajaraja Varma (ARRV). ARRV, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._R._Raja_Raja_Varma, was the first principal of Govt. Sanskrit college, and seems to be a much revered Sanskrit and Malayalam academic icon in Kerala today. He became a regular academic Professor, and has many published works to his credit. The introduction from his wiki page is given below:
A. R. Raja Raja Varma or A R. Rajaraja Varma (Malayalam: എ.ആർ. രാജരാജവർമ്മ) (1863–1918) was an Indian poet, grammatician and Professor of Oriental Languages at Maharaja's College(present University College), Trivandrum. Rajaraja Varma Koyi Thampuran was born in February 1863 at the Changanachery Lakshmipuram Palace to mother Kunjikkavu Thampuratti and father Vasudevan Namboodiri from the Pattial Illam. He wrote widely in Sanskrit and Malayalam. He is known as Kerala Panini for his contributions to Malayalam Literature.[1] A mixed effect of the influence of the study of British Romantic poets of the 19th century and a renewed interest in the real classics of Sanskrit literature can be seen in his poems. His essays are fine examples of excellent prose.His important works are Kerala Panineeyam, Bhashabhooshanam, and Vritha Manjari. Bhangavilaapam and Malayavilasam are his poems. Bhasha Megha Dootu, Bhasha Kumara Sambhavam, Malayala Sakuntalam, Malavikagnimitram, and Charudattam are among his translations.[2] Varma was the moving spirit behind the great literary renaissance in Kerala in the Golden Age of Malaylam literature. Says Ulloor of A.R. Rajaraja Varma, "While others embellished the walls of the mansion of Malayalam literature with their paintings and drawings, A.R. worked both on its foundation and dome and made it a long enduring and imposing structure for the benefit of the people of Kerala. His fame rests on this architectural accomplishment and is bound to last for ever".[3]
[Wiki References:
1. George, K. M. (1994). Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Plays and prose. Sahitya Akademi. p. 394. ISBN 978-81-7201-783-5.
2. http://www.india9.com/i9show/A-R-Rajaraja-Varma-26811.htm
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-08-27.]
--- end wiki extract ---
Now we can see references to TNS in Laghu Paniniyam by ARRV.
https://archive.org/details/LaghuPaniniyamARRajarajaVarma has download links for Laghu Paniniyam book for all formats. PDF download is 32.5 MB in size and can be downloaded for free. The book is 445 pages long.
At the end of the Preface on page 3 of the book (pg 6 in PDF file), Prof. A.R. Rajaraja Varma says, "It only remains to me to acknowledge with much gratitude the constant assistance encouragement and advice I have received from my revered uncle and preceptor, M R. Ry Kerala Varma Avl. C.S.I., the doyen of Sanskrit scholarship in South India, and from my fellow-student, former colleague and friend, Brahmasri R Narayana Sastriar, the present head of the local Sanskrit College"
It is 'signed' (name of author is printed) "A. R. Rajaraja Varma" with date and place as "TRIVANDRUM, 3rd August 1911".
See below pic having screenshot of the associated book page
Our Family ties to TNS
Thuravoor Narayana Sasthrigal's (TNS) son was Narayana Ramachandran, who was a First Class Magistrate in the District and Sessions Court in various locations in Kerala and finally, before he retired, he served in the State Secretariat in Trivandrum. N. Ramachandran was B.A., B.L. (Bachelor of Law). His Gotra was Kaundinya, Sutra was Apastamba and Shaka (branch of Veda) was Yajurveda. Note that the Gotra, Sutra and Shakha would have been/is/will be the same for TNS and also N. Ramachandran's male lineage. [Pic of N. Ramachandran and some more info on him is available here: https://ravisiyer.blogspot.com/2020/10/pic-of-my-grandfather-mothers-father.html .]
N. Ramachandran's son was Late R.L.Narasimhan (Narasu) who worked in Tata Mills in Bombay as Cost Accountant. N. Ramachandran's daughters are Late Lakshme Parvathi (my mother) who was married to Late Shri V.M. Suryanarayanan (my father), Accounts Officer, Central Railway, Bombay, and Krishnambal (only one alive among N. Ramchandran's children) who was married to Late Shri Venkitachalam who worked in a private company in Bombay.
Me, my siblings and cousins are the next generation from the above. In other words, Thuravoor Narayana Sasthrigal is our great-grandfather. [Sasthrigal typically means Hindu priest or somebody who is well versed in traditional Hindu knowledge/scriptural knowledge.]
References to TNS in literature and in Wikipedia
1) In Laghu Paniniyam book by A.R. Rajaraja Varma published around 1911.
First we need to know about A.R. Rajaraja Varma (ARRV). ARRV, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._R._Raja_Raja_Varma, was the first principal of Govt. Sanskrit college, and seems to be a much revered Sanskrit and Malayalam academic icon in Kerala today. He became a regular academic Professor, and has many published works to his credit. The introduction from his wiki page is given below:
A. R. Raja Raja Varma or A R. Rajaraja Varma (Malayalam: എ.ആർ. രാജരാജവർമ്മ) (1863–1918) was an Indian poet, grammatician and Professor of Oriental Languages at Maharaja's College(present University College), Trivandrum. Rajaraja Varma Koyi Thampuran was born in February 1863 at the Changanachery Lakshmipuram Palace to mother Kunjikkavu Thampuratti and father Vasudevan Namboodiri from the Pattial Illam. He wrote widely in Sanskrit and Malayalam. He is known as Kerala Panini for his contributions to Malayalam Literature.[1] A mixed effect of the influence of the study of British Romantic poets of the 19th century and a renewed interest in the real classics of Sanskrit literature can be seen in his poems. His essays are fine examples of excellent prose.His important works are Kerala Panineeyam, Bhashabhooshanam, and Vritha Manjari. Bhangavilaapam and Malayavilasam are his poems. Bhasha Megha Dootu, Bhasha Kumara Sambhavam, Malayala Sakuntalam, Malavikagnimitram, and Charudattam are among his translations.[2] Varma was the moving spirit behind the great literary renaissance in Kerala in the Golden Age of Malaylam literature. Says Ulloor of A.R. Rajaraja Varma, "While others embellished the walls of the mansion of Malayalam literature with their paintings and drawings, A.R. worked both on its foundation and dome and made it a long enduring and imposing structure for the benefit of the people of Kerala. His fame rests on this architectural accomplishment and is bound to last for ever".[3]
[Wiki References:
1. George, K. M. (1994). Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Plays and prose. Sahitya Akademi. p. 394. ISBN 978-81-7201-783-5.
2. http://www.india9.com/i9show/A-R-Rajaraja-Varma-26811.htm
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-08-27.]
--- end wiki extract ---
Now we can see references to TNS in Laghu Paniniyam by ARRV.
https://archive.org/details/LaghuPaniniyamARRajarajaVarma has download links for Laghu Paniniyam book for all formats. PDF download is 32.5 MB in size and can be downloaded for free. The book is 445 pages long.
At the end of the Preface on page 3 of the book (pg 6 in PDF file), Prof. A.R. Rajaraja Varma says, "It only remains to me to acknowledge with much gratitude the constant assistance encouragement and advice I have received from my revered uncle and preceptor, M R. Ry Kerala Varma Avl. C.S.I., the doyen of Sanskrit scholarship in South India, and from my fellow-student, former colleague and friend, Brahmasri R Narayana Sastriar, the present head of the local Sanskrit College"
It is 'signed' (name of author is printed) "A. R. Rajaraja Varma" with date and place as "TRIVANDRUM, 3rd August 1911".
See below pic having screenshot of the associated book page
Ravi: The great ARRV himself mentions TNS (named as R Narayana Sastriar) as his fellow-student, former colleague and friend, acknowledging his assistance, encouragement and advice (along with that of their common revered preceptor Kerala Varma)!
2) Book: Kerala Varma by P. K. Narayana Pillai, Sahitya Akademi, 1988, "On the life and works of Kēraḷavarmma, 1844-1917, Malayalam and Sanskrit litterateur."
Note that Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran is a noted figure in Kerala and was uncle of A.R.RajaRaja Varma. Here's his wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala_Varma_Valiya_Koil_Thampuran. An extract from it:
Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran CSI (Malayalam: കേരളവർമ്മ വലിയ കോയിത്തമ്പുരാൻ; 19 February 1845 – 22 September 1914) also spelt Kerala Varma Valiya Koilthampuran and known as Kerala Varma, was a Malayalam-language poet and translator who had an equal facility in writing in English and Sanskrit from the Indian state of Kerala.[1] He was part of the royal family of erstwhile Parappanad, Malabar. Kerala Varma is also known as the Kalidasa of Kerala.[2]
Kerala Varma has been called "a colossal Renaissance figure in 19th century Kerala" and "perhaps the first of the major [Malayalam language] writers who consciously and deliberately began to absorb and celebrate the Western influence" on his native literature. He advocated resuscitation of Malayalam literature by absorbing selected Western influences combined with native Sanskritic elements in poetry, drama and prose.[1]
...
[Wiki References:
1. Paniker, Ayyappa, "Modern Malayalam Literature" chapter in George, K. M., editor, ' 'Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology' ', pp 231, 236 published by Sahitya Akademi, 1992, retrieved 10 January 2009
2. Sreedhara Menon, A. Cultural Heritage of Kerala. p. 199.]
--- end wiki extracts ---
Page 35 and Page 44 of the book, Kerala Varma by P. K. Narayana Pillai, mention Thurvaoor Narayana Sastri
[Google Books link: https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Kerala_Varma.html?id=zFkOAAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y]
Unfortunately, the Google Books entry shows only small portions of the two pages. I am not able to locate the book on sale in amazon.in or other famous web stores.
This is what I got as the text in these 2 pages wrt TNS
Page 35:
At Harripad, Kerala Varma used part of his time to teach a few younsters including A.R. Rajaraja Varma and Thuravoor Narayana Sastrigal who later on distinguished themselves as great scholars. He taught them Kavyas and Natakas first and then Vyakarna and Alamkara.
Page 44 [Text in square brackets prefixed with Ravi: is my insertion.]:
.. Subba Dikshitar and Viraraghava Achary as members for making the proposal to set up the institution. On the basis of the recommendations of the committee, the College was established and it started functioning in 1889 [Ravi: seems to refer to setting up of Govt. Sanskrit College, Trivandrum]. The syllabus for the courses at the institution prepared at the instance of Kerala Varma by A.R.Rajaraja Varma and Thuravoor Narayana Sastrikal was scrutinized and approved by him with the necessary modifications. The question papers for the examination used to be set up and answer scripts valued under his supervision. It was indeed a great privilege for him to see that his favourite students Rajaraja Varma and Narayana Sastrikal become principals of the college.
=== end extracts that I could get from Google Books Free Preview ===========
Note that the author of the book, P.K.Narayana Pillai himself seems to have been the 9th principal of Govt. Sanskrit College from 1957 to 1963. He is listed as M.A. Ph.D. [Here's a 22 page chapter on him: http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/160718/7/07_chapter%202.pdf]
[Update on 22nd Feb. 2023: Now I think the book may have only the above two TNS references and so not so important for getting more info. on TNS end-update.] I think this book on Kerala Varma by P.K. Narayana Pillai is vital for getting more history about TNS. From the above excerpts itself, it gets confirmed that ARRV and TNS were students of the renowned scholar Kerala Varma (Valiya Koil Thampuran)! So the association of ARRV and TNS was right from their student days under Kerala Varma to them becoming teachers and principals of Govt. Sanskrit College, Trivandrum!
3) The book: A. R. Rajaraja Verma by K.M. George, Publication date 1979
Archive.org link: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.219616/page/n1
PDF file is 68 pages and is of size 7.08 MB and can be downloaded for free from above link.
This book refers to two works of ARRV where TNS review/suggestions are specifically mentioned:
a) Manideepika - Page 38 in text (39 in pdf).
2) Book: Kerala Varma by P. K. Narayana Pillai, Sahitya Akademi, 1988, "On the life and works of Kēraḷavarmma, 1844-1917, Malayalam and Sanskrit litterateur."
Note that Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran is a noted figure in Kerala and was uncle of A.R.RajaRaja Varma. Here's his wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala_Varma_Valiya_Koil_Thampuran. An extract from it:
Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran CSI (Malayalam: കേരളവർമ്മ വലിയ കോയിത്തമ്പുരാൻ; 19 February 1845 – 22 September 1914) also spelt Kerala Varma Valiya Koilthampuran and known as Kerala Varma, was a Malayalam-language poet and translator who had an equal facility in writing in English and Sanskrit from the Indian state of Kerala.[1] He was part of the royal family of erstwhile Parappanad, Malabar. Kerala Varma is also known as the Kalidasa of Kerala.[2]
Kerala Varma has been called "a colossal Renaissance figure in 19th century Kerala" and "perhaps the first of the major [Malayalam language] writers who consciously and deliberately began to absorb and celebrate the Western influence" on his native literature. He advocated resuscitation of Malayalam literature by absorbing selected Western influences combined with native Sanskritic elements in poetry, drama and prose.[1]
...
[Wiki References:
1. Paniker, Ayyappa, "Modern Malayalam Literature" chapter in George, K. M., editor, ' 'Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology' ', pp 231, 236 published by Sahitya Akademi, 1992, retrieved 10 January 2009
2. Sreedhara Menon, A. Cultural Heritage of Kerala. p. 199.]
--- end wiki extracts ---
Page 35 and Page 44 of the book, Kerala Varma by P. K. Narayana Pillai, mention Thurvaoor Narayana Sastri
[Google Books link: https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Kerala_Varma.html?id=zFkOAAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y]
Unfortunately, the Google Books entry shows only small portions of the two pages. I am not able to locate the book on sale in amazon.in or other famous web stores.
This is what I got as the text in these 2 pages wrt TNS
Page 35:
At Harripad, Kerala Varma used part of his time to teach a few younsters including A.R. Rajaraja Varma and Thuravoor Narayana Sastrigal who later on distinguished themselves as great scholars. He taught them Kavyas and Natakas first and then Vyakarna and Alamkara.
Page 44 [Text in square brackets prefixed with Ravi: is my insertion.]:
.. Subba Dikshitar and Viraraghava Achary as members for making the proposal to set up the institution. On the basis of the recommendations of the committee, the College was established and it started functioning in 1889 [Ravi: seems to refer to setting up of Govt. Sanskrit College, Trivandrum]. The syllabus for the courses at the institution prepared at the instance of Kerala Varma by A.R.Rajaraja Varma and Thuravoor Narayana Sastrikal was scrutinized and approved by him with the necessary modifications. The question papers for the examination used to be set up and answer scripts valued under his supervision. It was indeed a great privilege for him to see that his favourite students Rajaraja Varma and Narayana Sastrikal become principals of the college.
=== end extracts that I could get from Google Books Free Preview ===========
Note that the author of the book, P.K.Narayana Pillai himself seems to have been the 9th principal of Govt. Sanskrit College from 1957 to 1963. He is listed as M.A. Ph.D. [Here's a 22 page chapter on him: http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/160718/7/07_chapter%202.pdf]
[Update on 22nd Feb. 2023: Now I think the book may have only the above two TNS references and so not so important for getting more info. on TNS end-update.] I think this book on Kerala Varma by P.K. Narayana Pillai is vital for getting more history about TNS. From the above excerpts itself, it gets confirmed that ARRV and TNS were students of the renowned scholar Kerala Varma (Valiya Koil Thampuran)! So the association of ARRV and TNS was right from their student days under Kerala Varma to them becoming teachers and principals of Govt. Sanskrit College, Trivandrum!
3) The book: A. R. Rajaraja Verma by K.M. George, Publication date 1979
Archive.org link: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.219616/page/n1
PDF file is 68 pages and is of size 7.08 MB and can be downloaded for free from above link.
This book refers to two works of ARRV where TNS review/suggestions are specifically mentioned:
a) Manideepika - Page 38 in text (39 in pdf).
[22nd Feb. 2023 update: The Manideepika mention of TNS is much bigger than what is given below. For more, see my post: A.R. Rajaraja Varma's high appreciation for Thuravoor Narayana Shastri in Mani Dipika / Manideepika (4th ed., 1934) Sanskrit study guide preface, https://tnarayanasasthri.blogspot.com/2023/04/ar-rajaraja-varmas-high-appreciation.html , 19th Feb. 2023). end-update]
The book is said to have simple grammar of Sanskrit written in Malayalam and seems to have been published in 1908. The relevant sentence referring TNS is "The script was seen by grammarian Thuravoor Narayana Sastrikal and approved by Kerala Varma to whom it was dedicated." [The University of Calicut library record for this work seems to be: http://library.uoc.ac.in/find/Record/82203]
b) Sahitya Kutuhalam - Page 49 in text (50 in pdf).
"This is a collection of some of the early poems of A.R. published with suitable notes by the scholar Thuravoor Narayana Sastrikal. It contains Saraswatistavam (1890), Vinashtakam (1887), Ragamudrasaptakam (1889), Vimanashtakam (1891), Hindupadavyutpatti (1890) Pitrupralapam (1892) and Devidandakam (1888). All the poems show the ability of our author as a craftsman ; but Pitrupralapam according to poet Ulloor, is a fine piece of poetry in every way."
This seems to be Sanskrit poems. TNS seems to have been roped in by ARRV to review and provide suitable notes to ARRV's Sanskrit poems in this book.
I could not get any ebook download for either Manideepika or Sahitya Kutuhalam. But we can be sure that both these books were published. If somebody who knows Sanskrit and/or Malayalam digs into the libraries of Govt. Sanskrit College, TVM or other such libraries, I am sure they will be able to locate physical book copies of these two books. The second of these books, in all probability, ***will have the name*** of TNS in it, along with his notes on ARRV's poems.
[26 Feb. 2023 Update: A few days back, we checked out whether this book has Sahitya Kutuhalam: AR Raja Raja Varmayude Sampoorna Krithikal Volume1,2,3,4,5 "Complete Works of A.R. Raja Raja Varma" Long URL of https://keralabookstore.com/. The bookshop people provided me pics of the contents (in Malayalam) of the 5 volumes. Mr. D.K.M. Kartha helped me by looking at them and confirming that Sahitya Kutuhalam is not listed in them. I communicated the same to the bookshop and told them that if they find the Sahitya Kutuhalam book elsewhere and inform me, I would be glad to buy it. They did not respond to that, so far.
A 2020 Sanskrit research paper by Polish author refers to Sahitya Kutuhalam by ARRV and mentions TNS as editor in references section. The paper: Poetry at the Threshold. A.R. Rajaraja Varma and the New Sanskritism, by Hermina Cielas of Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Gołębia 24, 31-007 Kraków, Poland, in the journal: Studia Litteraria Universitatis Iagellonicae Cracoviensis » 2020 » Volume 15, Issue 3 . The article abstract: https://www.ejournals.eu/Studia-Litteraria/2020/Volume-15-Issue-3/art/16775/ , itself mentions the reference as: "Rajaraja Varma A.R., Sāhitya Kutūhalam. A Collection of Minor Works by A.R. Raja Raja Varma [SK], ed. R. Narayana Sastral, Trivandrum 1925." The article PDF link is provided in the abstract link. I think the author meant R. Narayana Sastrigal when she/he wrote "R. Narayana Sastral".
The article PDF repeats the reference but does not directly refer to TNS. The text that makes the reference is on page 4 of the PDF and has page 182 printed on it. The text is as follows:
Looking for unusual solutions, Rajaraja Varma paid tribute to English literature by composing a poem based on Shakespeare’s Othello. ¹⁵ Uddālacaritam, The adventures of Uddāla (1898)¹⁶, described by George among Rajaraja Varma’s translations¹⁷, is a prose composition inspired rather by Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare than by the original. In the author’s opinion it served as an exercise for the English reading student to whom Sanskrit is fast growing to be more alien than a foreign tongue, and partly as a means of a tongue conveying to the mind of the orthodox Pandit some idea of the marvellous creative imagination of the Western Poet.¹⁸
The references at the bottom of the page include this entry:
¹⁸ A.R. Rajaraja Varma, Sāhitya Kutūhalam. A collection of minor works by A.R. Raja Raja Varma, ed. R. Narayana Sastral, Trivandrum 1925, p. 1.
The Bibliography repeats the above entry. There are no other references to TNS ("R. Narayana Sastral") in this paper.
end-Update]
So the towering figure seems to be ARRV who seems to have been part of the Travancore royal family then, had English education and so could interact with European scholars and be accepted as an academic in European academic traditions.
TNS may have limited himself largely to traditional Sanskrit scholarship role instead of moving into European style academic role where publishing articles and books are very important. In contrast, some other traditional Sanskrit scholar(s) (e.g. T. Ganapati Sastrigal, 2nd principal of Govt. Sanskrit College, Trivandrum) seem to have adapted and become noted Sanskrit (European style) academics with many published works bearing their name as author or editor.
4) Wikipedia reference to TNS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandalam_Kerala_Varma is wiki page of Pandalam Kerala Varma (NOT to be confused with Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran who taught ARRV and TNS). From this wiki page:
Kerala Varma (January 1879 – June 1919), most commonly known as Mahakavi Pandalam Kerala Varma, was an Indian poet, scholar, and publisher. He was born at Pandalam, and belonged to the Pandalam Royal Family. He wrote two mahakavyas, more than a hundred narrative poems, translations, and children's poetry.[1]
...
Kerala Varma married Ammukkutty Amma in 1905. The couple had two sons and three daughters.[1] In 1914, he joined SMV High School, Thiruvananthapuram as language teacher. He also bought a house at Kaithamukku and settled in Thiruvananthapuram. During this period, he along with Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer learnt grammar and rhetorical figures under the guidance of Thuravoor Narayana Shastri.[1]
[Ref. 1 is: A. Mohanakshan Nair (2013). Mahakavyas of Pandalam Kerala Varma: A Study. The hyperlink provided is: http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/10603/7532 which shows that it is a Ph.D. thesis by now Dr. A. Mohanakshan Nair submitted in 1993 to Mahatma Gandhi University, Department of Malayalam Literature. The thesis is available for download (in parts) and seems to be mainly in Malayalam which I cannot read.]
--- end wiki extracts ---
5) Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World, Volume 1 By Gaṅgā Rām Garg
[22nd Feb. 2023 update: Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri is NOT TNS. For more, see my post: Sanskrit drama author Bhattasri Narayana Sastri (1860-1911/1918) IS NOT my ancestor Thuravoor Narayana Sastrigal (TNS); What we now know for sure about TNS, https://tnarayanasasthri.blogspot.com/2023/04/sanskrit-drama-author-bhattasri.html , published May 2020. end-update]
[Google Books link: https://books.google.co.in/books?id=w9pmo51lRnYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Ga%E1%B9%85g%C4%81+R%C4%81m+Garg%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi9xebO5aHfAhVPX30KHd8LABYQ6AEIKjAA]
Page 59 of the above book mentions, "Those who wrote in the traditional style are: Acyutaraya Modak (fl. early 19th cent.), author of some 30 works, Mudumbai Venkatrama Narasimhacarya (1842-1928), author of 114 works, Keralavarma Valiya Koil Tampuran (1845-1915), called 'Kerala Kalidasa', who composed 37 works, Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri (1860-1911), author of 92 dramas, Medhasri Narayana Sastri (1882-1932), author of 108 works, which included 24 plays, ...". Is Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri (1860-1911) a reference to Thuravoor Narayana Sastrigal (using North Indian style reference with Bhatta also being common in Kerala in corrupted form of Pattar to refer to Tamil Brahmins like TNS who settled in Kerala)? [22nd Feb. 2023 Update: Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri is NOT TNS. See update above.]
=============================
7th May 2020 Update
The following book also has a reference to TNS.
International Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature
Vol. I : Part 1 (A— M)
Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit & Apabhramsa
GANGA RAM GARG, M.A.,Ph.D.
First published in 1982
Revised and Enlarged Edition, 1987
Its text version is available here:
https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.170566/2015.170566.International-Encyclopaedia-Of-India-Literature-Vol-I-Part-I_djvu.txt.
I have given below relevant extracts. I think 'Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri' references below may be to TNS.
After Page xxxii
Sanskrit Literature from 1801 to 1981 :
...
Those who wrote in the traditional style are : Achyutaraya Modak (9. early 19th cent.), author of some 30 works, Mudumbai Venkatarama Narasimacharya (1842-1928), author of 114 works, Keralavarma Valiya Koil Tampuran (1845-1915), called ‘Kerala Kakdasa’ [Ravi: Kerala Kalidasa?], who composed 57 works, Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastrl [Ravi: Sastri?] (1860-1911), author of 92 dramas, MedhasrI Narayana Sastrl (1882-1932), author of 108 works, which included 24 plays, Kunnikuttan Tampuran (1865-1913), called ‘Kerala Vyasa’, who, apart from translating the whole of the Mahdbkarata into Malayalam in a short period, wrote Sanskrit dramas, stotras, lyrics and biography of Sahkaracharya, Madhusudana Sarnia, author of 108 works, Sri Upanishad Brahmendra Sarasvati, who wrote Sanskrit comms., on the 108 Upanishads, Annadacharana, Kavyakantham Ganapati Sastrl and Mathuranatha, equally prolific and the poetess Triveni (1817-83), the foremost among women contributors.
...
After page xxxvi
Dramas :
Besides Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri, who wrote 92 plays and MedhasrI Narayapa Sastri, the author of 108 works, which included 24 plays, the other dramatists, who wrote on traditional themes are: Jaggu Vakuiabhushana, the author of Prasanna-kasyapiya (1951), in which Dushyanta and Sakuntala, along with young Bharata, pay a visit to Kanva’s Asrama, J.T. Parikh, who has also written a drama on the, same theme, C. Venkataramanayya, the author of an allegorical drama, Mahalinga Sastri, the author of several plays, e.g., Prati-rajasuyam (on Durvodhana’s Rajasuya) and Kaliprddurbhava , Sundaresa Sarma ( Prema-vijaya ), Narayana Sukla (Vainayakam in 7 Acts on the story of Gapesa), Durgadatta Shastri, author of Vatsala (1978), etc.
--- end extracts from Ganga Ram Garg book ---
Page 59 of the above book mentions, "Those who wrote in the traditional style are: Acyutaraya Modak (fl. early 19th cent.), author of some 30 works, Mudumbai Venkatrama Narasimhacarya (1842-1928), author of 114 works, Keralavarma Valiya Koil Tampuran (1845-1915), called 'Kerala Kalidasa', who composed 37 works, Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri (1860-1911), author of 92 dramas, Medhasri Narayana Sastri (1882-1932), author of 108 works, which included 24 plays, ...". Is Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri (1860-1911) a reference to Thuravoor Narayana Sastrigal (using North Indian style reference with Bhatta also being common in Kerala in corrupted form of Pattar to refer to Tamil Brahmins like TNS who settled in Kerala)? [22nd Feb. 2023 Update: Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri is NOT TNS. See update above.]
=============================
7th May 2020 Update
The following book also has a reference to TNS.
International Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature
Vol. I : Part 1 (A— M)
Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit & Apabhramsa
GANGA RAM GARG, M.A.,Ph.D.
First published in 1982
Revised and Enlarged Edition, 1987
Its text version is available here:
https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.170566/2015.170566.International-Encyclopaedia-Of-India-Literature-Vol-I-Part-I_djvu.txt.
I have given below relevant extracts. I think 'Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri' references below may be to TNS.
After Page xxxii
Sanskrit Literature from 1801 to 1981 :
...
Those who wrote in the traditional style are : Achyutaraya Modak (9. early 19th cent.), author of some 30 works, Mudumbai Venkatarama Narasimacharya (1842-1928), author of 114 works, Keralavarma Valiya Koil Tampuran (1845-1915), called ‘Kerala Kakdasa’ [Ravi: Kerala Kalidasa?], who composed 57 works, Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastrl [Ravi: Sastri?] (1860-1911), author of 92 dramas, MedhasrI Narayana Sastrl (1882-1932), author of 108 works, which included 24 plays, Kunnikuttan Tampuran (1865-1913), called ‘Kerala Vyasa’, who, apart from translating the whole of the Mahdbkarata into Malayalam in a short period, wrote Sanskrit dramas, stotras, lyrics and biography of Sahkaracharya, Madhusudana Sarnia, author of 108 works, Sri Upanishad Brahmendra Sarasvati, who wrote Sanskrit comms., on the 108 Upanishads, Annadacharana, Kavyakantham Ganapati Sastrl and Mathuranatha, equally prolific and the poetess Triveni (1817-83), the foremost among women contributors.
...
After page xxxvi
Dramas :
Besides Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri, who wrote 92 plays and MedhasrI Narayapa Sastri, the author of 108 works, which included 24 plays, the other dramatists, who wrote on traditional themes are: Jaggu Vakuiabhushana, the author of Prasanna-kasyapiya (1951), in which Dushyanta and Sakuntala, along with young Bharata, pay a visit to Kanva’s Asrama, J.T. Parikh, who has also written a drama on the, same theme, C. Venkataramanayya, the author of an allegorical drama, Mahalinga Sastri, the author of several plays, e.g., Prati-rajasuyam (on Durvodhana’s Rajasuya) and Kaliprddurbhava , Sundaresa Sarma ( Prema-vijaya ), Narayana Sukla (Vainayakam in 7 Acts on the story of Gapesa), Durgadatta Shastri, author of Vatsala (1978), etc.
--- end extracts from Ganga Ram Garg book ---
[22nd Feb. 2023 Update: Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri is NOT TNS. See update above.]
-------------------
-------------------
Given below are three books which seem be in Sanskrit and/or Malayalam which list literary works of Kerala and which may have references to work of TNS. As of now, I am not in a position to organize procurement and searching for TNS references in these books. I am recording it in this blog as it may be of help in future.
1) Kerala Sahitya Charitram by Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer - apparently it covers some Sanskrit literature too though focus is on Malayalam literature. It is in Malayalam.
[22nd Feb. 2023 Update: Above book's main TNS references are given here: Few significant occurrences of Thuravoor (തുറവൂർ) Narayana (നാരായണ) Shastri name in Part 5 of Ulloor Kerala Sahitya Charitram, https://tnarayanasasthri.blogspot.com/2023/04/few-significant-occurrences-of.html , published on 16th Feb. 2023. end-update]
[This may be pdf file (it is mostly in Malayalam): http://books.sayahna.org/ml/pdf/ulloor-vol-1.pdf
http://books.sayahna.org/ml/pdf/ulloor-vol-2.pdf ]
https://find.uoc.ac.in/Record/231373
2) Sanskrit Literature of Kerala by Dr. E. Easwaran Nampoothiri, Lecturer, Dept. of Sanskrit, University of Kerala, first published in 1972 [PDF download is available from: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.142461/mode/2up ]
[22nd Feb. 2023 Update: I searched the text version of above book, https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.142461/2015.142461.Sanskrit-Literature-Of-Kerala_djvu.txt , for Narayan and got 41 results none of which were about TNS. Search for Turavur gave 0 results. Search for Thuravoor gave 0 results. So this book, most probably has no mention of TNS. There is a very remote possibility that digitization of book did not convert some words properly with Turavur or Thuravoor being one of such words, but I think that probability may be so remote that we can ignore it. end-update]
3) Samskritha Sahithya Charithram by Krishna Chaitanya, Language: Malayalam, Published: Kottayam N.B.S. 1968 (also saw another entry for 1962 publication), (22nd Feb. 2023 update: link broken) https://find.uoc.ac.in/Record/226173 .
3) Samskritha Sahithya Charithram by Krishna Chaitanya, Language: Malayalam, Published: Kottayam N.B.S. 1968 (also saw another entry for 1962 publication), (22nd Feb. 2023 update: link broken) https://find.uoc.ac.in/Record/226173 .
The above book was suggested by Dr. Mohanakshan Nair when I contacted him on phone in or around April 2020. I would like to record my gratitude to him for this suggestion.
Krishna Chaitanya seems to be this person: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna_Chaithanya. "Krishna Chaitanya was the pen name of Krishnapillai Krishnankutty Nair (24 November 1918 – 5 June 1994), known as K.K. Nair. He is an author of about 40 books[1] on the subjects of art, literature, philosophy and education, and an art critic, musicologist and photographer."
[22 Feb. 2023 Update: I found an archive.org entry for this book: https://archive.org/details/newhistoryofsans0000unse/page/n9/mode/2up (entry says it was published in 1962), which shows a few preview pages of the book but does not have download options. It also says "14 day loan required to access EPUB and PDF files." I think I will see if and how I can do that on archive.org. I tried search for Thuravoor and Turavur but got 0 results for both of them. Search for Narayana gave 11 results none of which were references to TNS. I don't know if the search option works for the whole book or only part of the book. If I get the PDF (by borrowing it) then I can be more sure of whether the book has any reference to TNS. end-Update.]
The English version of above book seems to be: A new History of Sanskrit Literature by Krishna Chaitanya, https://books.google.co.in/books/about/A_new_history_of_Sanskrit_literature.html?id=UTEmAQAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y (entry says published in 1962)
This seems to be the Hindi version: https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/new-history-of-sanskrit-literature-by-krishna-chaitanya-NZE823/
========================================
Readers may want to read the following additional posts on TNS:
The English version of above book seems to be: A new History of Sanskrit Literature by Krishna Chaitanya, https://books.google.co.in/books/about/A_new_history_of_Sanskrit_literature.html?id=UTEmAQAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y (entry says published in 1962)
This seems to be the Hindi version: https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/new-history-of-sanskrit-literature-by-krishna-chaitanya-NZE823/
========================================
Readers may want to read the following additional posts on TNS:
- My family history and how we moved from traditional South Indian Brahmin occupations to others over generations, https://ravisiyer.blogspot.com/2016/07/some-info-and-speculation-about-my.html.
- I am looking for help from Malayalam script readers to see if my great-grandfather name is mentioned in a history of Kerala literature book, https://tnarayanasasthri.blogspot.com/2023/04/i-am-looking-for-help-from-malayalam.html .
- Other names of my ancestor Thuravoor Narayana Sastrigal like R. Narayana Sastri, Bhatta Sri Narayana Sastri and Turavur Narayana Sastri, and books mentioning them, https://tnarayanasasthri.blogspot.com/2023/04/other-names-of-my-ancestor-thuravoor.html .
Note that the post: Trying to get more information about my great-grandfather, Sanskrit scholar Thuravoor Narayana Sasthrigal of Kerala, https://tnarayanasasthri.blogspot.com/2023/04/trying-to-get-more-information-about-my.html , has already been mentioned at the top of this post.
[I thank wikipedia, A.R. Rajaraja Varma, P.K. Narayana Pillai, K.M. George and Ganga Ram Garg, and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extracts from their website or books (small extracts from books) on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
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