Vamanavikrama: Research in Indological Studies (Prof. V. M. Kulkarni Felicitation Volume)

Prof Dr. Vaman Mahadev Kulkarni is a well-known Scholar, Teacher and Researcher in the field of Sanskrit and Prakrit Studies, especially. Poetics, Jainism and Manuscript studies. This publicity-shy gentleman scholar contributed his mite to the research fields from various angles. A Felicitation Volume in his honour was a long felt desideratum, in view of his solid and outstanding contributions, distinguishing him from other scholars in ways more than one. I was singularly fortunate to shoulder this responsibility to the best of my capacities. The special feature of this Volume is that it contains learned research papers, contributed by his colleagues, friends, students and well-wishers and embracing diverse spheres from Vedic Literature, Classical Sanskrit Literature, Poetics, Philosophy and Religion, Grammer and Linguistics and Prakrit and Jainism. All the contributors are established scholars/ researchers in their own fields and are connected in some way or the other with Prof. Kulkarni. They have rightly chosen the topics which are dear and near to Prof. Kulkarni. This is a tribute to the VIKRAMA in Research achieved by the VAMANA through his distingui shed academic pursuits in his chosen fields. I feel highly gratified after Editing this Felicitation Volume in Honour of an Intellectual Giant who has reached Himalayan Heights and Oceanic Depths. I am cock-sure that this Felicitation Volume will be a treasure to every one as well as a Collector's Item.

Dr. Siddharth Yeshwant Wakankar (b. 1947) had his education in Mumbai. Winner of the Shridhar Ramakrishna Bhandarkar Prize for proficiency in Sanskrit Grammar, at M.A. (1969) of the Bombay University. Taught Sanskrit, Ardhamagadhl and Ancient Indian History and Culture in Colleges affiliated to the Universities of Poona and Bombay. Taught Middle Indo-Aryan Languages and Linguistics at the Post Graduate level in the M.S. Uni. of Baroda (1982-84). His English translation (1971) of the Allegorical Apabhramśa work, viz. the Mayanaparajayacariu of Harideva, has brought him credit. Five other critical editions are in progress. He was elected the Sectional President for two consecutive Sessions of the All Indian Oriental Confrence. He has been invited to deliver lectures in many Universities/Research Institutes, Museums/Colleges/Libraries etc. He received the International Ramkrishna Sanskrit Award in 2001 from the Canadian World Education Foundation, Ontario, Canada, in recognition of his Outstanding and Distinguished Contributions to Sanskrit Research and Training. He has widely travelled in India and Germany. Has attended 6 International, 20 National and 20 State-level Seminars/Conferences. At present, he is the Deputy Director in the world-famous Oriental Institute, affiliated to the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.