The Department of Sanskrit of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College is the only Department of its kind in the whole of Tamil Nadu offering Sanskrit at four different levels, that is,
Swami Vivekananda, in his speeches and writings emphasized the need for a proper study of Sanskrit, in which are enshrined our highest treasures of literature, religion and Philosophy.
The management introduced Sanskrit as a Language course initially and it was part of Indian Languages Department in 1946. Prof. R. S. Venkatarama Sastri was the first Professor of Sanskrit in the College.
The Sanskrit Association was inaugurated by Sri C. Rajagopalachariar on 4th September 1952. The management decided to upgrade the Department by introducing the Honours course in Sanskrit in 1954. Dr. A. Sankaran was invited to Head the Department in 1955. The M.A. course in Sanskrit was introduced in the year 1958. Prof. V. S. Venkataraghavchariar became the Head of the Department.
Prof. V. Rajagopalan took over from him in the year 1963. In order to help the students who had no prior knowledge of Sanskrit in Pre-University course, a bridge course was started. Consequently, the strength which was just 23 in the Pre-University course in 1968 jumped to 79 in 1969. We had two sections in 1970 and added one more section subsequently in the Pre-University course.
The B.A. major course in Sanskrit was started in the year 1969. Sanskrit was also offered as an ancillary subject for B.A. Philosophy students for a few years. But the Department had just 5 staff members (four regular staff members and one guest lecturer) who managed all the classes, though with difficulty. Realizing the heavy workload of the Department, the Government sanctioned one hand in 1978 and three more hands in 1980. The staff strength rose from five to eight, and then to nine in the year 1999.
In 1974, the department was upgraded as research department with Dr. M.Narasimhachary as its first research supervisor. The Department also got affiliation for M.Phil. in 1980.
Initially the Department was started with two pundits. Later 2 tutors were added. With the introduction of Honours course a Professor was appointed in 1955. Later additional Professor and PG Professor posts were introduced. Sri N. C. Krishnan, a leading chartered accountant in Chennai and a lover of Sanskrit language helped to establish a chair in this College with a view to utilise the services of retired professors. This scheme was in vogue till 1984. The Department got the benefit of having a UGC Professor for three years from 1971 to 1974. Since 1999 the sanctioned post of the department is 9. At present the Department has one Associate Professor, who is also the Head of the Department and 2 management faculty.
CONTACT DETAILS
Email: [email protected]
| S.No | Name | Designation |
|---|---|---|
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1 |
Head of the Department |
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2 |
Asst. Prof. |
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3 |
Asst. Prof. |
The 46th Jeeyar of Sri Ahobila Mutt recently celebrated his 70th birthday, commemorated as the Sapthathi Mahotsavam, at the sacred town of Srirangam. As part of the grand celebration, the Mutt honoured 72 distinguished scholars from various fields. We are happy to share that Dr. S. Muthu, Head of the Department of Sanskrit, was among the scholars who were honoured. He was conferred the prestigious title of “Sri Vaikhanasa Vidvad-Dyumanih.”
