Dr. Prema Nandakumar

Obtained her Ph.D summa cum laude in 1961, at the age of 22, for her study of Sri Aurobindo's epic poem Savitri which was followed by post-doctoral research work comparing Dante and Sri Aurobindo.

Dr. Nandakumar is a well-known resource person and speaker at various national and international conferences. Dr. Nandakumar is an eloquent keynote speaker and draws her inspiration from sources as varied as the Vedas, ancient Hindu, Buddhist and Jain epics, Indian and international literature. She has several published books in the field of criticism, biography, translation, commentary and fiction.

Dr. Nandakumar is a recipient of several awards including the Adhyapakaratna T.T.Iyengar Award for Excellence in Sanskrit Studies by the T. Totadri Iyengar Educational Trust, Chennai, Bharati Gold Shield by Bharati Memorial Sangham, Madras; the For the Sake of Honour Award by the Book Publishers and Book Sellers Association of South India; the title -Ilakkiya Perunthahai' by Muthamizh Kalai Manram, Tiruchirapalli; the title -Abhinava Andal- by Sri Ramanuja Navalar Swami Sabha, Panrutti; the "M.G.R. Award" by Azhvarkal Ayvu Maiyam, Madras; Sri Aurobindo Puraskar by Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, West Bengal, 2002; Sekkizhar Award by Sekkizhar Ayvu Maiyam, Chennai; the title -Vidwatjana Vinodini- by Sri Hayagreeva Vidya Peetham, Chennai and the title -Vyasa Praveena- by Bharat Vikas Parishad, Chennai.

Dr. Nandakumar-s nominations include the Academic Council, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi; National Executive of The Indian P.E.N., Senate of Bharathidasan University and as Visiting Professor, Swami Vivekananda Chair, Mahatma Gandhi University.

Book Reviews
Leadership and Power : Ethical Explorations
"My Life" and "The Message of Mahabharata"   
Panch-Kanya: The Five Virgins of Indian Epics  

Hinduism  
Horse with a Horn  
Jaya Jaya Mahabharatham

Perspective   
Indian Youth in Search of Icons