"Brahma Sri" is a fitting tribute of felicitation paid by a Stellar list of scholars, old and young from all parts of country and beyond to an outstanding epigraphist, known to the scholastic world through his pathbreaking contributions to epigraphical and numismatic research - Prof. P.V. Parabrahma Sastry. The 59 papers included in this volume deal with a variety of themes and disciplines such as Archaeology, rock art, temple art and architecture, iconography, epigraphy and numismatics, Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina religion and philosophy, Indian literature of various periods, Folklore, New History and contemporary social issues.

This volume presenting a panoramic view of Indian history and culture, would became an important source of information for students and scholars and also to a general reader. Incidentally, this volume also highlights the love and affection Prof. P.V.P. Sastry enjoys in the intellectual world.

Dr. Pedarapu Chenna Reddy (Born in 1959) got his Post Graduate Degree (1984) from S.K. University, Anantapur, M. Phil. (1986), Ph. D. (1988) and P.G. Diploma in Epigraphy (1988) from S.V. University, Tirupati and P.G. Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management (2001) from Andhra University, Waltair. His book Guilds in Medieval Andhra Desa was widely acclaimed by the academicians and students alike Dr. Reddy has to his credit more than 4% research papers on various aspects o ancient, medieval and modern history published in National and International Journals, Felicitation and Commemorative. volumes. He is the life member of Indian History Congress, South Indian History Congress, A.P. History Congress, Epigraphical Society of India, Numismatic Society of South India, Andhra Pradesh Janapada Sahitya Samiti, Piligrimage Society of India, Folklore Society of South Indian Languages, Rockart Society of India, World Telugu Federation etc.. He has attended the annual sessions of these and various other professional bodies and presented research papers.

I am thankful to Dr. P. Chenna Reddy, Convener & Editor of this volume, 'Brahma Sri : Researches in Archaeology, History and Culture in the New Millennium', for this opportunity to express my feelings.

Till the 17th century, India, while absorbing the shocks of history-series of foreign onslaughts-continued to live in its past. India did not attempt to look at itself. It appears that the westerners entering India attempted to understand India of the past. This made the modern India to look at itself. Thus, foreigners' interest in India has created a curious interest in the minds of the modern Indians, in the study of ancient India. Sources began to be gathered, recorded, discovered and preserved by the westerners. This led to the Indian interest in 'India of the past. The past is nearly unlimited and defies decipherment, if such an attempt is made by someone without a deep understanding of the spirit of Indian life. The study of the material from outside without sharing the Indian life has its limitations. Birth and life in the Indian tradition supplemented by learning only can take one to correct understanding. But then, expressing one's understanding in the language and methods of the modern researcher requires excellent training in the latest, western research methodology. This consists of the science of Archaeology, Numismatics and Epigraphy etc. All these requirements are difficult to find in one single individual. Prof. Parabrahma Sastry is a unique singular combination of all these merits.

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