Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, 1973 - Stamp, First Day Cover


Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (1878-1972), was the last Governor General of India. An accomplished writer in English and Tamil, Rajaji, as he was affectionately called, has written more than 30 books.

He would often say that -- "My books on the Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata are my greatest service to my people."

"There is no exaggeration in it. Their simple style is very attractive. By translating the Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata into simple and beautiful English, Rajaji has made it possible for the people of the western countries to read and enjoy these great epics of India. The Mahābhārata written in English by Rajaji is a textbook for Oriental Studies in five American Universities and more than three hundred thousand copies of it have already been sold. Two hundred thousand copies of the Rāmāyaṇa have been sold." (Karnatik)

Though not a Sanskritist, His abridgement of he Rāmāyaṇa, Mahābhārata, the Bhgavadgītā and the Upaniṣads from Sanskrit still continue to be the best-sellers. 


                       

  
                                        A stamp in the denomi-nation of 20P and an FDC with brochure were released on his first death anniversary, on 5.12.1973.


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