V. Ganapati Sthapati

Vaidyanatha Ganapati Sthapati was a Sthapati and head of the College of Architecture and Sculpture in the Vastu Shastra tradition ascribed to the sage Mamuni Mayan.

Biography

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."

Major works

Architecture and sculpture

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

Sculpture of Tamil poet and saint Thiruvalluvar—Thiruvalluvar Statue at the southern tip of India at Kanyakumari, TN, India.
Design and Construction of University buildings including the Administrative block and library for Tamil University in Tanjore.
Design and Construction of Valluvar Kottam in Chennai, TN, India.
Granite sculpture of the Kannagi—heroine of the Tamil epic Silappathikaram, erected in an Art Gallery in Poompuhar, Chennai, TN, India.
The Rajagopuram of Sri Rama Temple and Sri Ganesh Shiva Durga Temple at The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago complex Lemont, Illinois, United States.
Sri Murugan Temple, Nadi-Fiji islands.
The San Marga Iraivan Temple, Kauai, Hawaii.
Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple – Maryland
Design of Great Buddha statue, Bodh Gaya.

Projects in India and other countries.

As an author

Sthapati has authored a number of books on the science and technology of Vastu Shastra and has conducted over 80 seminars. 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.

Building Architecture of Sthapatya Veda, Illustrations Volume II

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

Awards

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

Padma Bhushan in 2009.
Doctorate Degree conferred by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vedic University in the Netherlands – 1995
Honorary fellowship by the Indian Institute of Architects in 1993
The National Award for Master Craftsmanship from the President of India – 1973

Other awards

Kalaignar Award Presented by Dr. Kalaignar in 29 January 2005
Muttiah Chettiar Award
Kapilavanar Award – Thirukovilur