Professor Karthigesu Indrapala (born 22 October 1938) is a Sri Lankan academic, historian, archaeologist, author and former dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna.
Professor K. Indrapala | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 October 1938 |
| Education | Jaffna College University of Ceylon |
| Occupation | Academic |
| Title | Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna |
| Term | December 1982 – July 1984 |
| Predecessor | S. Kailasapathy |
| Successor | N. Balakrishnan |
Early life and family
editIndrapala was born on 22 October 1938.[1] He was the son of K. Karthigesu and Kanakambikai Ambal from Vaddukoddai in northern Ceylon.[1] He was educated at Jaffna College.[1] After school he joined the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya in 1956, graduating with a first class honours degree in ancient history.[1]
Indrapala married Priyadarshani, daughter of C. Somasundeeram from Navaly.[1] They have two daughters (Harini and Dharini).[1]
Career
editIndrapala was interested in epigraphy and studied Tamil and other language inscriptions. He joined the faculty at the Department of History, University of Ceylon, Peradeniya in 1960.[1] He started researching the history of Tamils on the island, paying particular attention to Tamil inscriptions. He continued his studies in London, receiving a PhD after producing a thesis titled Dravidian Settlements in Ceylon and the Beginnings of the Jaffna Kingdom.[1]
Indrapala then returned to Peradeniya to continue his research into Tamil inscriptions.[1] He underwent epigraphy training in Mysore.[1] Between 1966 and 1974 Indrapala explored the jungles of Northern, North Central and Eastern provinces, discovering new Tamil inscriptions and Hindu temples.[1]
Indrapala was appointed dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the Jaffna campus of the University of Sri Lanka in 1974.[1] He was a visiting professor at the University of Tokyo in 1976.[1] Later he became Foundation Professor of History at the newly created University of Jaffna.[1] He established courses in archaeology and epigraphy and the archaeological museum at the university.[1] He then carried out various archaeological excavations on the Jaffna peninsula, discovering the ancient burial site at Anaikoddai.[1] He was dean of the Faculty of Arts at the university from December 1982 to July 1984.[1][2]
Indrapala joined the new Tamil University in Thanjavur in 1984.[1] Later he moved to Australia.[1]
Published Books
edit- K Indrapala The Evolution of an Ethnic Identity: The Tamils of Sri Lanka C. 300 BCE to C. 1200 CE (Ohm Books Publishing, 2015 - ISBN 978-1511674126)
- K Indrapala Ancient Tamil Nadu: Glimpses of the Past (Ohm Books Publishing, 2021 - ISBN 979-8590567386)
- K Indrapala Ancient Sri Lanka: Glimpses of the Past (Ohm Books Publishing, 2022 - ISBN 979-8436812137)