The Hindu Newspaper
Madurai, April 10, 2012
D. Karthikeyan
Titled as ‘The Caves of Wisdom,' it has been made by the postgraduate English students of Fatima College.
Cultural heritage sites evoke the past and stand as vestiges to exemplify to the current generation of their glorious tradition. A documentary film on one of Madurai's ancient heritage sites, the ‘Jain Caves' was made by Post Graduate students of English Department of Fatima College.
Titled as ‘The Caves of Wisdom,' the 20 minute documentary takes us virtually to the historic sites with a voiceover interspersed with historic details.
Interviews with art historian, epigraphist and an activist who have formed association to protect heritage sites mark the film.
S. Geetha, Head, Department of English, Fatima College, said that it was an effort to instill a sense of history among the students and make them play active role in preservation of heritage.
“During one of our brainstorming sessions the idea to do a documentary on Jain Heritage evolved and considering the importance of the subject and its social relevance in the contemporary we went with the idea,” she said.
R. Venkatraman, former Professor of Art History, Madurai Kamaraj University, released the DVD and the first copy was received by Rev. Sr. Dr. P. A. Mary, Vice Principal, Fatima College on Monday. In his address, Mr. Venkatraman said that the inscriptions in and around Madurai's hillocks talk about the 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism including Mahavira.
He explained how a group of Jain followers, under Visakacharya, travelled from Shravanabelagola and found the hillocks around Madurai suitable for them to travel widely in the day and safely stay away in the night on the Jain beds.
They enjoyed the patronage of the Pandya kings, nobles and traders.
Senior Epigraphist V. Vedachalam in the film discusses how Jainism flourished here in Madurai during the 2{+n}{+d}Century BC and the hillocks around Madurai stand as remnants of the past. Trade with North India and North Indian traders helped Jainism thrive in South India, it was Kancheepuram and Madurai, which became centres of both Buddhism and Jainism.
Dr. Vedachalam says that there are 13 caves which had stone inscriptions dating back to BC era.
It includes Brahmi script stone inscriptions, most of which are Jain Beds, and inscriptions of King Ashoka's era are also found.
Pazha Sivakumaran of Yanaimalai Padhugapu Kazhagam talks about how the people's movement to protect Yanaimalai has thwarted the attempts to have a sculpture park. Commercialisation which has led to large scale damaging of the heritage structures in the way of granite quarries were also discussed in the film.
R. Narmadha, II Year M.A., who was involved in the film making, shared that, the students initially went around collecting information on the Jain heritage monuments in Madurai through publications.
“This fundamental research work helped us in drafting the script and after a few field visits and proper guidance we did this film.”
S. Jescilla, II MA, said that the project which was part of their course, helped us understand the need to protect the heritage site which speaks volumes about our past and also showed us the ugly face of vandalism which is ruining the past.
19 students of II MA English literature were involved production of the film; they were assisted by DHAN Foundation in post production and also in research. Naga.Ganesan, Deputy Director, Archeological Department, Madurai and K.P.Bharathi, Programme Leader, DHAN Foundation were among the others who spoke.