Since late Vedic times in the Sanskrit tradition and perhaps far earlier among proto-Dravidian and tribal peoples of the South, the vigorous and complex deity Skanda or Murukan has exerted a powerful influence upon Indian literature and religious thought. Even today, his cult continues to command the allegiance of millions in South India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius, Reunion Island and wherever there are expatriate Tamil communities.

The need exists for greater dialogue among scholars of Skanda-Murukan and the community of informed devotees. The Mauritius conference will provide an unequaled opportunity for scholars and bhaktas alike to exchange findings and insights in a conducive environment hosted by the Mauritian organisers. For scholars especially, the event represented an extraordinary opportunity to meet and interact with fellow scholars and exceptionally well-informed Murukan bhaktas.

Scope of the Seminar

Multi-media presentations including video productions and slide presentations will also be accepted. The Conference will also hosted dramatic performances of Murukan Tiruvilaiyatal in the Bharata Natyam genre as well as other artistic performances. Papers presented presented at the First Conference will be published and released at the Second International Conference Seminar's proceedings.

NOTE: The Conference will provide meals and accommodation for the entire four-day conference, extras and a post-conference tour of Mauritius will be provided for participants, observers and their spouses for a nominal charge of US$200 per person. Presenters of papers will also receive a gratis copy of the Conference proceedings when it is released. Participants are requested to complete a registration form, but there is no registration charge.

Range of Topics

• Murukan in the Indus Valley script
• Skanda-Kumara in ancient North India
• Tai Pucam around the world
• Murukan in Cankam Literature
• Arunakirinatar's Tiruppukazh
• The Iconography of Skanda-Murukan
• Aru Padai Viitu: The Six 'Camps' of Murukan
• The Cult of Murukan in the ParipaaTal
• Pilgrimage and Sacred Geography
• The Kavati Cintu Genre
• Murukan and Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy
• Historical Development of Skanda-Murukan as a Tamil deity
• The Continuing Love Story of Valli and Murukan
• Murukan worship among Tamil diaspora worldwide

See the complete listing of Murukan Conference topics

Interested participants should contact the Conference Secretary for details about topic suitability, etc. and submit a short synopsis (approx. 250 words or one page) describing the proposed research paper. Only research proposals conforming to international academic standards will be considered for inclusion.

Deadline for submission of abstracts (approximately 250 words): 30 January 2001

Conference participants are also invited to join as guests in a post-conference bus tour of major shrines of Mauritius. The tour will also give scholars additional time together while touring.

The Skanda-Murukan Conference series publishes selected papers presented at its international conferences, both in printed and electronic formats. The Conference website is now publishing selected papers starting with:

1. "Murugan in the Indus Script" by Iravatham Mahadevan (43 kb)
2. "Murukan In Cankam Literature: Veriyattu - A Tribal Worship" by M. Shanmugam Pillai (20 kb)
3. "Mailam: A Murukan temple at the crossroads of myth and local culture" by François L' Hernault (24 kb)
4. "Iconography of Skanda-Murukan: Flashes of Insight" by Raju Kalidos (46 kb)
5. "Karttikeya in Early Indian Coinage" by S. Suresh (21 kb)
6. "Tai Pucam in Malaysia" by Carl Vadivella Belle (44 kb)
7. "Karttikeya worship in Bengal" by Seethalakshmi Viswanath (11 kb)
8. "Vel Worship in Sri Lanka" by Vimala Krishnapillai (49 kb)
9. "The Guardian Deities of Lanka: Skanda-Murukan and Kataragama" by S. Pathmanathan (42 kb)
10. "Skanda-Murukan cult in Eastern Sri Lanka: Continuity and Change" by N. Shanmugalingam (40 kb)
11. "The Murukan cult in Mauritius: Essence of Tamil ethnic identity" by Khesaven Sornum (15 kb)
12. "Arunagirinathar's Views on Wealth by S.R.S. Ayyar (17 kb)
13. "Murukan, Tamil God of Justice" by Marudhamuthu
14. "Tiruppukal in the cult of Murukan" by Jeya Arunagirinathan
15. "Swarupa Vel: Skanda's Sister Jyoti" by A. Alagarappan
16. "The Development of Muruku-Muruka-Velan and Ce-Ey-Ceyon in Cankam Literature" by K.V. Ramakrishna Rao (24 kb)
17. "The Iconography of Somaskanda Mûrti" by S. Suthanthiran (16 kb)
18. "Shanmuka Kavacam and the Kavacam genre" by S.P. Sabharathnam (17 kb)

1. "Murugan and Valli" by Kamil Zvelebil (16 kb)
2. "Skandakumara and Kataragama: An Aspect of the Relation of Hinduism and Buddhism in Sri Lanka" by Heinz Bechert (15 kb)
3. "Dionysus and Kataragama: Parallel Mystery Cults" by Patrick Harrigan (100 kb)
4. "Kailasa to Kataragama: Sacred Geography in the cult of Skanda-Murukan" by Patrick Harrigan (62 kb)
5. "Iconographic Contact between Karttikeya and Manjusri in China" by B.N. Mukherjee (11 kb)
6. "Cosmography of Lanka Down the Ages" by Patrick Harrigan (31 kb)
7. "Islamic Traditions of Kataragama" by Patrick Harrigan (13 kb)
8. "Arunagirinathar: Was he a Shakta?" by Sadhu Ram (11 kb)
9. "Lord Kataragama's Two Wives" by Paul Younger (9 kb)
10. "Karttikeya in Bengali Ritual Drama" by Malati Agniswaran

Press releases regarding the Conference will be made available from time to time. Conference volunteers are encouraged to forward these press releases and related materials to local newspapers, journals and magazines as well as to regional associations.

Individuals interested in attending the Colombo Conference in 2001 are encouraged to pre-register with the organisers using the special online pre-registration form provided. Kindly note that pre-registration carries no obligations; it only enables the organisers to know who is interested and to provide them with updated information periodically. Interested participants are asked to provide only a tentative title and brief (one page, 250 words) synopsis of their proposed papers.

For accounts of the First International Conference on Skanda-Murukan, see these published reviews:

1. Cult of the Child-God Crosses a Millennial Milestone
2. Hinduism Today feature article
3. Review published in International Institute of Asian Studies Newsletter

The Murukan Conference home page now features a digital image bank of the iconography of Skanda-Murukan. This includes three collections or galleries of color plates: one set of 18 images taken from a rare 1958 Skanda Sasti Vizhamalar published by the Tiruvaavaduturai Aadheenam, 14 images from rare calendar posters of the early 20th century, and a further 12 images from early to late 20th century.

1. Gallery One: 1958 Skanda Sasti Vizhamalar
2. Gallery Two: rare calendar posters of the early 20th century
3. Gallery Three: selected calendar posters of the early-late 20th century
4. The life of Bhogar in mural paintings (from Palani)

An online newsletter has been established for anyone wishing to receive automatic e-mail updates about the Conference. To subscribe send a blank email to:

murukan_conference-subscribe@egroups.com

Or visit the Murukan Conference newsletter home page at:

http://www.egroups.com/list/murukan_conference/

Or use this simple form:

For details or to register, contact:

Patrick Harrigan, Conference Secretary editor@murugan.org
OR
Maga Ramasamy, Secretary Mauritius Organising Committee mramasamy@airmauritius.intnet.mu