Top Indian philosopher to speak at fest

AN Indian professor of philosophy will be the special guest at the Thirumurai Festival in Pieter­maritzburg this weekend.

Professor R. Gopalakrishnan is being hosted by the Saiva Sithantha Sungum, Pietermaritzburg branch, on the corner of Veerappa and Gangalu Place in Northdale.

He will be speaking at 10.30 am on Sunday as part of the 9 am to 10 am Sunday service.

Gopalakrishnan is a retired head of the department of philosophy at the University of Madras. As a student of philosophy, he had a keen interest in social and religious activities, for which he was awarded a gold medal for the best student in 1972, and a medal from Sri V.V. Giri, the then president of India.

As a teacher of philosophy for 34 years, he has participated in more than 70 seminars and conferences at regional, national and international level, and presented research papers on religion, philosophy and culture. His field of interest is the philosophy of religion and Saiva Siddhanta. Gopalakrishnan has written five books on Saiva religion and philosophy, two of which have been published overseas.

The Thirumurai Festival aims to create greater awareness and consciousness of the profound messages contained in the songs to the broader community. These Thirumuraigals and the lives of the saints will be presented and expounded on during the festival.

For details, phone Thiru Wally Chetty at 073 007 6465, Thirumati Vimla Moodley at 072 393 4628 or Yagie Moodley at 082 471 9401. — Arts Editor