[Advaita-l] Obituary of Professor S. Revathy

[saha niranjan via Advaita-l]

Dear All,
My heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family of the late Professor S.Revathy and the lover of Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy as I've heard of her demise yesterday only. I spoke to her the month before this happened.

Sincerely,
Niranjan, Kol 67


Features » Friday Review, The Hindu, Chennai, Feb 20, 2014  chennai,  February 20, 2014  
Updated: February 20, 2014 16:25 IST 
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Special Arrangement Dr. S. Revathy 
TOPICS
human interest 
people 
Sanskrit students of the late Prof. Dr. S. Revathy pay tribute to a dedicated educator, scholar and researcher. 
Educational institutions require keen teachers, 
especially in the study of Sanskrit polemical works. The students of 
Sanskrit at the University of Madras were fortunate to have witnessed a 
rare combination of scholarship and flair for teaching in the late 
Professor Dr. S. Revathy (1959-2014), who was noted for her in-depth 
knowledge of Advaita Vedanta and Navya-Nyaya.
Armed 
with a Bachelor's Degree in Sanskrit from Queen Mary's College, Chennai, she completed her Masters Degree, M.Phil, and Ph.D from Madras 
University. An outstanding student and research scholar, Dr. Revathi's 
dream to popularise Sanskrit came true when she was appointed a lecturer in the Sanskrit Department of the Madras University, wherein she served for 27 years - as lecturer from 1987 to 1995, as Reader from 1995 to 
2003 and as Professor of Sanskrit from 2003 onwards.
Hailing from a Vaishnavite family, she believed that religion and philosophy 
are twin branches of the same tree. In an illustrious teaching career 
spanning over two decades, she had presented over 100 papers at national and international seminars, published over 50 research articles, four 
books and a monograph. Some of her well known, published titles include 
‘Three Little Known Advaitins’ (Doctoral Thesis), A critical edition of 
Bhagavad Gita with commentary Padayojana by Ramachandendra, A critical 
edition of Upadesa Sahasri of Sankaracarya with commentary Padayojanika 
by Rama Tirtha, and a monograph titled, ‘Manamala of 
Acyutakrishnandatirtha.’ She co-authored the text Vedanta Samgraha of 
Ramaraya Kavi along with Professor Dr. R. Balasubramanian and this was 
published in 2012. Her research articles covered some rare topics such 
as Criticism of Buddhism by Mimamsaka, Review of Purvamimamsa doctrines 
by Jayanta Bhatta.
She always remembered with 
humility, her guru, Professor Dr. N. Veezhinathan, and followed in his 
footsteps as a committed teacher eager to continue his legacy. She was 
sought after by other scholars to exchange or present her views and 
knowledge, to review and evaluate research works in the field of Nyaya, 
Advaita, music, dance, sculpture, philosophy, pure language. Fluent in 
Sanskrit, English, Tamil and Telugu, and with a Siromani degree in 
Advaita, under her able guidance, 17 students were awarded Doctorate 
Degrees in Sanskrit.
A multi-talented person, she was ever willing to devote extra time to help her students and took on the 
role of friend, philosopher and guide. The number of Sanskrit books in 
her collection was a testimony to her thirst for knowledge. She set high standards in learning and teaching, and continued to delve deep into 
the language -thanks to the unwavering support she received from her 
husband, Mr. Sukumar, and two sons. 
Her outstanding 
contribution to Sanskrit research and teaching was recognised through 
the 'Ram Krishna Sanskrit Award' in 2002 from Saraswati Visvas, Canada, 
followed by 'Krishna Tatacharya Endowment Award' in 2003, Bangalore. 
Nominated by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of 
India, she attended the 14th World Sanskrit Conference at Kyoto 
University, Japan in 2009. In 2010, she received the 'Certificate of 
Appreciation' for exemplary contribution to society and preserving 
India’s cultural and spiritual heritage from Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Sri 
Bharati Theertha Mahaswamigal Sacred 60th Birth Year Celebrations 
Committee, Chennai. The University of Madras awarded her the 'Academic 
Achievement' award in 2012.
The sudden and untimely 
demise of Dr. S. Revathy on February 5, is a great loss to scholars of 
Sanskrit and scores of students, who had the opportunity to listen to 
her deep, resonating voice expounding the subtleties of Advaita and 
Nyaya philosophy. Her admirers and well wishers will always remember her as one whose every breath spelt Sanskrit.
Keywords: Prof. Dr. S. Revathy, sanskrit




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