French Research School to celebrate centenary today

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, APRIL 10. Arrangements are under way at the Ecole Francaise d`Extreme Orient (French School for Far Eastern Studies) for the two-day celebration of its centenary here from tomorrow. An exhibition, two theatre performances, a round-table discussion and presentation of several papers are some of the programmes drawn up in this connection.

Mr.Jean Luc Chevillard, who is the research scholar and deputed to the Ecole here by the French National Centre for Scientific Research, Paris, said that the basic objective of the School was to engage itself in archaelogical explorations and collection of manuscripts, conservation of monuments and to study the linguistic heritage of the regions.

Chief Secretary, Mr T T Joseph, will inaugurate the exhibition tomorrow highlighting the centenary celebrations of the EFEO. Professor V.Kutumba Sastry, Director of the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan New Delhi, will felicitate the celebrations tomorrow. Artists from southern States and academics from various Indian and European Universities will present papers.

The exhibition at 19, Dumas Street here would illustrate the research work done by scholars associated with EFEO in the first half of the 20th century. This would include works of the famous Sanskrit scholar and art historian Professor Alfred Foucher, the famous linguist noted for his grammatical structure of Dravidian languages Jules Bloch.

Mr.Chevillard said that the research activities which Prof. Filliozat inspired after the establishment of the Institute Francais for in-depth studies in iconography, architecture, Sanskrit, Tamil language and anthropology and history would be projected in the exhibition. Old collection of glass negatives mostly made during the first quarter of the 20th century prepared by Fr.L.Faucheux projecting the old pictures of Pondicherry town would form part of the exhibition. Representatives of the INTACH would present talks.

French Consul General, Mr.Chrisitan Bader, will be among those who would be among the chief dignitaries at the celebrations. Mr. Chevillard said that another programme has been planned to celebrate the centenary from October 3 to 5 in New Delhi at the Indian Habitat Centre there. The works done in the past and in the present days and future programmes of the EFEO would be displayed.

A `Natyavadhana` programme by Dr Dhara Ramanadha Sastry will be held tomorrow while Bhasa`s Sanskrit play `Karnabharam` by Shri Kalabharan will be held on the next day.

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