Rajamahima

We are extremely happy to bring out this 51st number of the Calicut University Sanskrit Series as a Felicitation volume in honour of Prof. C. Rajendran, our faculty member and a scholar of international repute. Prof. Rajendran retired from Calicut University on 31 SI March 2013 as Professor of Sanskrit, having served the institution (in various capacities) in a highly commendable manner for a long period of 35 years.

Chettiyarthodi Rajendran was born in 1952 in the Perumudiyur village, near Pattambi (well known as the birth place of great scholar Punnasseri Nampi Nilakanthasarma, who ushered in the modern phase of Sanskrit studies in Kerala). His own family was reputed for Sanskrit scholarship and literary proficiency: Vidwan C.S.Nair (1894-1942), a renowned writer, freedom fighter and a progressive critic, was his (maternal) grand uncle.

Sri Rajendran not only utilized the favourable circumstances optimally, but also put in consistent and zealous personal efforts to rise to the level of a budding scholar even in his college days. Having acquired B.A. And M.A. Degrees in Sanskrit Sahitya from University of Calicut with flying colours, he chose the profession of teaching Sanskrit. Having joined the Department of Sanskrit, University of Calicut, in the year 1978, by dint of academic excellence supported by hard work, soon he rose to the rank of an eminent Professor. He has always steadfastly maintained commitment to critical and multidisciplinary approaches in Sanskrit studies, while drawing in the fruits of tradition.

Prof. Rajendran has won many laurels as an excellent academician, researcher and author. He has to his credit more than 35 books and above 200 research papers. Besides he has moulded many a researcher.

The present volume contains 33 articles contributed by Prof. Rajendran's close associates, friends, colleagues, and students. They cover a wide range of topics like Poetics, Philosophy, Vedic studies, Grammar and Linguistics, Technical literature and Social science. I express my deep sense of gratitude to all the contributors. Special thanks are due to Dr. T. Vasudevan for having given a brief but comprehensive write up on the personal and academic profile of Prof. Rajendran.

Let me place in record our thanks to Sri Omprakash, the Publication Officer and Smt. Laly Francis, the Layout Designer for having brought out this nice volume in time.