A Garland of Glimpses and Gleanings (Silent Whispers of a Retired IAS Officer)

Author Rajagopalan, popularly hailed ‘Garland Rajagopalan’, born at Aduthurai, hails from nearby Mandhai in Thanjavur district. Even while studying in the VI Standard, he had acted in a drama taking on the role heroine with merit and melody winning the only medal. He had later taken lead role as heroine and a little as hero in dramas enacted at such prime centers as Walltax Theatre, Theatre Museum Theatre and V.P. Hall at Chennai and Vani Mahal at Kumbakonam. Had undergone training in Classical Carnatic Music under Sangita Kalanidhi Sri Papanasam Sivan, Salem Subbarama Bhagavatar and Trichy Sundarrajan. Over 210 articles authored by him have been published in reputed journals like Bhavan’s Journal, Shanmukha, Kalayana Kalapataru, Gunagrahi, Layam, Nadabrhmam, Nandini, etc.

He has spent more than twenty-two years in visits to garner facts and figures in authoring the undermentioned non-profit, dedicative books, which are pioneering publications of vast reach and vital relevance, use and timeless utility hailed and lauded as a treasure house of vital information, a thesaurus, etc, by authorities of acclaimedrenown.

Quite recently, I gathered supreme satisfaction and pleasured of going through the magnificent publication of Sri N. Rajagopalan, I.A.S. [Retired] on arts and culture thoughtfully titled ‘The Eloquent Garland’ and was won over, apart from its mega size, by its exhaustive contents, crisp style, absorbing presentation and high relevance. Undoubtedly, it is a pioneering work of vast parts highly useful to artists, researchers and the public. Now, I have on hand to my joy his lastest work, with its focus on his personal life, bearing the crisp title “A Garland and Gleanings”.

I was always impressed by his cultured approach to men and matters, personal discipline and efficiency. He was a model public servant. His addiction to integrity and absolute efficiency were truly remarkable and had drawn the commendation of all, the public and the services. I have always valued his efficiency, thoroughness and integrity, his exceptional talents in the world of Carnatic Music that has flowered into full bloom. It powered into full bloom. It provides Atma trupti. This is all nothing but the blessings of the Parabrhman, the Supreme Consciousness.

The present book carries juicy sketches of many incidents and facts worthy of notice. Rajagopalan has always been a result-oriented, dedicated worker with productive vision and is fully reflected by his consistent publications and scores of articles published in reputed journals. His massive selfless dedication to arts and culture during the last 23 years is worthy emulation. Actually inspiration embraced him on its own while young through his dramatic excursions and training in music.