V. Ganapati Sthapati

Vaidyanatha[1] Ganapati Sthapati (1927 – 5 September 2011) was a Sthapati ( temple architect and builder ) and head of the College of Architecture and Sculpture in the Vastu Shastra tradition ascribed to the sage Mamuni Mayan.

V. Ganapati Sthapati
Born30 September 1927
Pillayarpatti, near Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India
Died5 September 2011 (age 84)[2]
Chennai
NationalityIndian
Known forArchitect, temple builder, sculptor, author
Notable work
Architecture and Sculpture
MovementFounded the "Vaastu Vedic Trust" and "Vaastu Vedic Research Foundation" for the development and globalization of Vaastu Shastra.
AwardsPadma Bhushan

Biography
Conception for Iraivan Temple, Kauai, Hawaii, by V. Ganapati Sthapati

Sthapati was born in 1927 to sculptor Vaidyanatha Sthapati and Velammal in Pillayarpatti, a village near Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India.

Sthapati attended Dr. Alagappa Chettiar College, Karaikudi, and graduated with a degree in mathematics. After his graduation, he became a Sthapati at Palani Murugan Temple, Palani, Tamil Nadu, India. He resigned this post after the death of his father, who had served as principal of the School of Architecture and Sculpture at Mamallapuram from 1957 to 1960. He succeeded his father as the Principal of the Government College of Architecture and Sculpture, TN, India. From the 1980s, Sthapati campaigned to restore and elevate the status of traditional Hindu architecture in modern Indian society, by affiliating courses to the University of Madras and offering degree courses, bringing about a revival of Vastu Shastra. After retirement from government service, he established the Vaastu Vedic Trust and the Vaastu Vedic Research Foundation, aimed at research, development, and globalization of Vaastu Shastra. He was also the head of the professional guild named "V. Ganapati Sthapati & Associates." [3] He also began a small University – American University of Mayonic Science and Technology to teach the authentic Vaastu Shastras. He appointed Dr. Jessie Mercay as Chancellor and professor.

Major works

Architecture and sculpture
Thiruvalluvar Statue and the adjacent Vivekananda Rock Memorial at sunrise

Sthapati served as architect for several buildings and sculptures, including the following:

Projects in India and other countries.[7][8]

As an author

Sthapati has authored a number of books on the science and technology of Vastu Shastra and has conducted over 80 seminars.[9] He formed a publishing house called Dakshinaa Publishing house to publish and market books related to Vastu Shastra and architecture. His critically acclaimed book, Building architecture of Sthapatya veda attracted the attention of Scholars, architects and engineers of India and abroad.[9]

  • Building architecture of Stha-patya Veda. Dakshinaa Pub. House. 2005.
  • Building Architecture of Sthapatya Veda, Illustrations Volume II[10]
  • The scientific edifice of Brihadeeswara temple, Tanjore Tamilnadu. Chennai, India: Dakshinaa Pub. House. OCLC 297209860.
  • Significance of vimānam & gopuram. Chennai, India: Dakshinaa Pub. House. OCLC 297209865.
  • Shiva Vishnu Temple Complex: Concept and Design
  • Quintessence Of Sthapatya Veda [9]
  • The Scientific Edific of Brihadeeswara Temple, Tanjore, Tamilnadu
  • Who Created God? [9]
  • The Colossal Statue Of Ayyan Thiruvalluvar

He has authored countless other books including Iconometry, Temples of Space Science: The Building Architecture of Sthapatya Veda[11] and Commentary on Mayan's Aintiram.[12][13]

Awards

Sthapati has earned a number of titles and awards including and not limited to:

Other awards
  • Kalaignar Award (Murasoli Trust)Presented by Dr. Kalaignar in 29 January 2005[16]
  • Muttiah Chettiar Award[16]
  • Kapilavanar Award – Thirukovilur[16]
  • 133-foot-tall sculpture (40.5 m.) of the Tamil poet and saint Thiruvalluvar Statue, in Kanyakumari, India.
  • Valluvar Kottam, designed and constructed by V. Ganapati Sthapati, in Chennai, India
  • Artist's conception for Iraivan Temple, on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
  • Detail of Iraivan Temple.

Bibliography

Subramaniam, T.S. (20 February 2009). "Sculpting a success story". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 August 2010.

References
  1. Variations of the name "Vaidyanatha" which have been observed in the literature include: Vaithyanadhan, Vaithyanatha, and Vaithyanathan.
  2. ibnlive.in
  3. "Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati". Vaastu Vijnani Dr. Ganapati Sthapati. Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati & Associates. Archived from the original on 26 July 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  4. "Jayalalithaa plans Rs 100-crore statue for Mother Tamil". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  5. "Temple History". Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago. p. 1. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  6. "Sri Siva Vishnu Temple". ssvt.org. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  7. "Other Projects". Vaastu Shastra. Dr. V. Ganapathi Sthapati & Associates. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  8. "Other notable projects in overseas Countries". Vaastu Shastra. Dr. V. Ganapathi Sthapati & Associates. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  9. Mahalingum., Kolapen (c. 2002). Hindu temples in North America : a celebration of life. Kolapen, Sañjay., Hindu University of America., Council of Hindu Temples of North America. (1st ed.). Orlando, Fla.: Hindu University of America. ISBN 9780971631007. OCLC 79385539.
  10. "Daskhinaa publishing house | Vastu Vedic Trust". Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  11. Sthapati, V. Ganapati (2004). The Building Architecture of Sthapatya Veda. Dakshinaa. ASIN B0006E8WGY.
  12. Sabharathnam, S.P. (1997). Mayan's Aintiram : With Tamil texts of Mayan and paraphrasing with English translation. Vaastu Vedic Research Foundation. ASIN B000P6J8SY.
  13. "Vedic Books: Search Results: Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati". vedicbooks.net. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  14. "List of Padma awardees 2009". The Hindu. 26 January 2009. p. 1. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  15. "Press & Media". Vaastu Shastra. Dr. V. Ganapathi Sthapati & Associates. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  16. "Awards & Services – V. Ganapati Sthapati". ebuild.in. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
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