At the start of 2nd millenium, over thousand years ago, the entire Southern part of India witnessed the rule of an all round genius Rajaraja Chola. I ( 985 to 1015 CE) . In the fields of arts, architecture, sculpture, paintings, bronzes, music and dance, literature, war and peace, administration and justice, religion and philosophy, catholicity of outlook and above all clarity of thought and implementation, Rajaraja was an unequalled monarch. He paid meticulous attention to the welfare and comfort of his people. Thousands of his inscriptions that have survived give a vivid picture of his personality and contributions.

As a young boy when all the people of the country wanted to crown him as the ruler, at the demise of his father, he declined and relinquished his right and requested his uncle to rule the mighty Chola kingdom to avoid any ill feelings in the family. He allowed his uncle to rule and waited for fifteen years for his own coronation. He had demonstrated that sacrifice -tyaga- brings immortality in the true spirit of Indian Vedic tradition (tyagena ekena amritattvam anasuh i.e They attained immortality by voluntary relinquishment). Rajaraja later ruled for thirty years from 985 to 1015.

Rajaraja built the Great temple of Thanjavur and covered the two hundred feet high tower with gold to signal his contribution. The temple survives to this day in its original grandeur. He demonstrated absolute freedom and equality of women and allowed them to manage their own affairs. His queens and sister are seen possessing property in their own names and issuing orders with equal validity as that of the Emperor. The most importantly Rajaraja though was a staunch follower of Saivism, ensured religious tolerance and patronized all religions Saivism, Vaishnavism, Saktam, Janinism and Buddhism alike. As a tribute to this Great Emperor Rajaraja Chola, who marked the beginning of the last millenium, I publish in this inaugural issue of the electronic Journal, Tamil Arts, portraits of this emperor and his queen Lokamahadevi.

The beginning of the 2nd millenium was a golden era in every field of human affection and activity. Let the beginning of the 3rd millenium to day bring similar prosperity, peace, and growth in every direction.

As we are entering the Global era (from CE to GE) of Computers and Internets, scholarly pursuits will henceforth be mainly through this media. Particularly in the fields of arts it is more convenient and comfortable too. Henceforth for research, communication and illustrations this tool is the most spectacular and inevitable. In addition to all academic features, it is possible to include audio and video for scholarly pursuits that will leave a thrilling effect. It is my ambition to bring to the notice of the appreciative world the rich artistic, historical and cultural contributions of the Tamils. The periodicity and the contents will flower as we grow. Scholars are welcome to contribute academic inputs of lasting value.

I thank Mr.Gira Sarabai for permitting me study and use the Sarabai collection of bronzes for academic persuits. I also thank Dr. Padma Subramaniam and The Hindu for the article Dance and Temple Sculpture reproduced in the journal.

A venture of this nature demands high technical skill and appreciation of aesthetic standards.The design,scripting and presentation are by my son Mohan Nagaswamy. I also thank Geetha Mohan for the patient support and Vishnu Mohan for his Welcome additions. The Journal is open to academic comments and criticism.