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April 1977...it was the fag end of an academic year in MCC. Dr. Gift Siromoney, popularly known as Dr. GS, made two of his colleagues to undertake research in the area of iconometry.. one of the luckiest two to pursue doctoral study in this area was myself and the other one was Prof. M. Bagavandas. I, as a person interested in art and paintings, was in joy with no bounds. From then on for another six years, I had the opportunity to visit almost all Hindu, Jain, Buddhist monuments in the country extensively, though our concentration was only in the southern part of India.

Dr. Gift Siromoney wanted me to concentrate on sculptures of Pallava period which are considered to be the earliest monuments in the country and he wished Prof. M. Bagavandas to specialize in Chola and Pandya sculptures. The concept of using measurements made on the body of sculptures was rather new to Indian art history and Dr GS wanted this to be tried for the first time in India. Till then, archaeologists and art historians used only iconographical details, epigraphical evidences, costumes and jewellery, and ornaments and weapons for identifying and dating sculptures.

Both Prof. Bagavandas and myself visited almost all monuments belonging to the Pallava, Pandya, and Chola periods and made measurements on each and every sculpture found in the monuments. The process of collection of data took nearly four years. We used to stay in places like Mahabalipuram, Kancheepuram, Thanjavur, and Kumbakonam for weeks together. Taking measurements before the sun starts scorching us was a thrilling experience. We used to be there at the site of the monument as early as 6.30 am everyday. Monuments would appear extremely grand if they are seen either early in the morning or in the moon light. We used to talk a lot about the history of the place and how the king who was responsible for a particular monument would have felt when he was supervising the monument at the creation stage. We used to be delighted to walk on the old, long stone corridors where once the kings, ministers, sculptors and other public of different past would have walked. Suddenly our mind would turn around and thank Dr Gift Siromoney for giving us an opportunity to see all these places.

For several places Dr GS also accompanied us. It was totally a different and rich experience to hear the history of the monument, significance of the place and sculptures found on the monuments, and epigraphical details from the narration of Dr. GS. He used to feel like a child seeing the world with wonder whenever he took us to a monument and explain things with all excitement, although he would have visited the place several times earlier.

I could remember an interesting event that took place when Dr. GS was accompanying us to Kazhugumalai in a car from Madurai. After visiting Sittannavasal, we were moving towards another place. In a narrow turn of the road, two Government transport buses were involved in an accident and no vehicle could pass through the road. We were asked to wait till some arrangement would be made to move the vehicle by the side of the road and we were told that it would take at least a couple of hours for clearing the road. Dr. Gift Siromoney told the driver of the car to park the vehicle in a distant place under the shadow of a tree and told us to get down. He started walking over the bunds of fields nearby asking us to follow him. Within half an hour we were amidst an ancient monument belonging to the Chola period surrounded by fields. We were surprised to see how Dr. GS knew a monument, which appeared to be totally neglected, and situated in a remote place with lot of 11th century inscriptions. He explained the history of the monument, took several photographs, and made us take a few estampages.

On another occasion, there was a statewide bandh and there were no buses from Tambaram to Mahabalipuram on a day we planned to take measurements in Mahabalipuram. I felt like taking rest on that day on the pretext of non-availability of buses. At 7 am, Dr GS was at my house with his car. He told me to get ready within half an hour, he would go and pick up Prof. Bagavandas meanwhile. By 10 o' clock in the morning we were there in Mahabalipuram. He stayed with us throughout the day and brought us food for afternoon from some distant place. We were taken by surprise by the keen interest he has shown in our studies and at the same time looked after our needs also. Several occasions come into my mind. Everyone who moved closely would have felt similar experiences.

While writing the thesis, Dr R. Chandrasekaran, another colleague of mine, and myself stayed in one of the rooms meant for training students coming for the college farm. Dr GS used to visit the room often to correct the thesis and supervise the progress of the research work. He got one of the keys of the Heber Gate and used to open the gate and get back home after 11 or 12 O'clock in the night. For nearly six months, he used to go home only by midnight. The dedication he had for his students is something exemplary! To the best of my knowledge, no other supervisor would devote so much time for students doing research under his/her guidance.

Apart from research, he showed much interest in our personal lives also. Words fail to express our gratitude for all that he did to us. He was more than any of our family members. Several incidents come across my mind. Due to paucity of space, I recollect only a few. He gave me admission to the PG class once he came to know that I did my schooling in a remote village in the Dharmapuri Dt. and I happened to be a son of a school teacher. Without my knowledge, on my behalf, he typed the application form and submitted to the college when a vacancy arose for the lectureship in the department and gave me the appointment order during the last week of June 1973. He took me to various places on his motorcycle and introduced me to several things. The large size kolam of women, covering the entire road, in a hamlet near Perungalathur during Margazhi season, Paal puzai, an animal sacrificing festival of Narikuravas, the Vaagriboli language of the Narikuravas, the Primers in Vaagriboli for children of the nomads studying in a special school at Saidapet, Marks Gospel in Vaagriboli language, stone age implements, Surveys, epigraphy are some of the things Dr GS introduced to us. I learnt a lot from him in all the areas. He used to appreciate the coffee and the kolam of my wife whenever he visited our home. My second daughter used to ask him about different birds that are found only once in year in the campus. Knowing her interest in the subject, he presented a book on Indian Birds by Salim Ali. During the events that took place during the last phase of his life...March 7 to 21 in 1988, I was with him throughout. My mind goes on and on...but I have to limit and restrict my inner feelings. Memoirs of Dr GS bring me several happy events in my life. What I am today is only because of Dr.GS. The mere thought that I was also with him for sometime is a thing I would ever cherish with.

S. Govindaraju, (B.Sc., M.Sc., Colleague: 1968-88, Ph.D. 1982)
Currently: Professor, Department of Statistics, MCC, Tambaram