Paris 5.1.1974
Dear Acharya Panchapagesan,
I sincerely hope your sons too will find their way in a devoted to art and studies like their father and as they deserve to get it.
Mary Louis Reinch.
A well-known French Indologist

Madras. 19/10/1995
Dear Brother Sri. Umapathy,
It is very good of you to attend along with your brother for the First National Seminar on Viswakarma Sahitya Academy held at Udupi on 15th instant accepting our invitation. Your speech in the academy was thought provoking and thereby you proved beyond doubt that you are the son of illustrious scholarly father. My congratulations.

The secretary,
Akhila Bharata Sahitya academy, Madras.

DR.PRABHAKARA APTE EX.EDITOR, SANSKRIT DICTIONARY DECAN COLLEGE, PUNE. EX.VISITING PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS, CHENNAI

2/14 DAMODAR SOCIETY BIBAWEWADI PUNE-411037. TEL: 020-24216367

I have great pleasure in giving this certificate to Sri. K.P.Umapathy, the traditional Sthapati-sculptor, who is faithful to his Sthapatya tradition. This makes him design and fashion images and other art forms reflecting spirituality. He has along with his brother Sri. K.P.Veezhinathan, inherited the rare capacity to alloy philosophy and spirituality with science and technology of his profession. He is at his best when he discloses some tips given by his father to maintain the quality of art products produced in hereditary way. It is enlightening, instructive as well as entertaining when the scholars, in various seminars open dialogue with him on Sastra and Prayoga of Vastuvidya. The observers and listeners also receive multiple enrichment of their common knowledge. Often those who have a telephonic dialogue or correspondences are under on impression the Umapathy is senior in age and they are taken by surprise when they find a youth bearing the appellation Umapathy the renowned sculptor-scholar. ‘Yo vai yuva api adhiyano tam devah sthaviram viduh’ i.e. ‘ Gods regard him as mature one who is well-stead, even when he is a young man’. is true to him.

I wish him bright future, which is bound to be his privilege, earned for him by his penance in Sastra and Tapasya in Prayoga.

Sivam Astu.

Dr. Prabhakar Apte

I have great pleasure in giving this certificate to Sri. K.P.Umapathy, the traditional Sthapati-sculptor, who is faithful to his Sthapatya tradition. This makes him design and fashion images and other art forms reflecting spirituality. He has along with his brother Sri. K.P.Veezhinathan, inherited the rare capacity to alloy philosophy and spirituality with science and technology of his profession.

‘Yo vai yuva api adhiyano tam devah sthaviram viduh’ i.e.‘ Gods regard him as mature one who is well-stead, even when he is a young man’ is true to him. I wish him bright future, which is bound to be his privilege, earned for him by his penance in Sastra and Tapasya in Prayoga.

I am glad to put on record that I know Sri Umapati for quite a long time as an architect who is brought up in a family of traditional Sthapatis.

His knowledge of the ancient canons on architecture as well as of modern architectural techniques is remarkable. He works in both the systems, which enable him to arrive at the happy blending of these two. He had attained proficiency in the subject because of his diligence. I shared the dais thrice with him in the assembly of the stalwarts in the field and witnessed his mastery over the subject.

Sri Umapati is sincere and hard worker. Any one who wants a reliable hand can trust Sri.Umapati. I have no hesitation in recommending his name for an assignment, which he deserves.


I am glad to put on record that I know Sri Umapati for quite a long time as an architect who is brought up in a family of traditional Sthapatis.

His knowledge of the ancient canons on architecture as well as of modern architectural techniques is remarkable. He works in both the systems, which enable him to arrive at the happy blending of these two. He had attained proficiency in the subject because of his diligence. I shared the dais thrice with him in the assembly of the stalwarts in the field and witnessed his mastery over the subject.

Sthapati Sri.K.P.Umapathy hails from a traditional Vishwabrahmin family of Tamilnadu following Sthapatya Veda from several generations. He is one among foremost Sthapatis of Tamilnadu. It has brought him fame all over India.

In addition to his shastric knowledge and commendable skill which is his birth right, he has acquired views of modern scholars on Indian Temple Art and Architecture. He has presented papers on different aspects of Shilpa in several National and International seminars. Thus he is well known in the arena of the world of scholars of Indian temple art and architecture.

I wish him well and many more laurels in his meaningful journey in the path of Indian Temple art and architecture.

Dr.G.Gnanananda.M.A.,D.Litt
Founder & President
Brahmarishi Shilpa Gurukulam (Bangalore University)
Bangalore.

I have been in the research field of Agamas for last five decades. In the present phase of the project the Vaikhanasa Agama Kosa is nearing completion with Eleven Volumes, the second phase of finalizing illustrations is under process. In this venture, fortunately we are getting active co-operation of renowned practicing Sthapati of Kumbakonam Thiru.K.P.Umapathy Acharya.

His first cooperative interaction with Agamic scholars was at the time of Vidyapeetha seminar on Sanskrit Technical Terminology since then we are benefited by his visits as well as telephonic consultations. More I came in academic contact with him, more and more I am impressed by his deep practical knowledge and his faculty of connecting Agamic problems with the practical contest of Silpa Sastras.

He has been a great asset for our propose project of scriptural Gallery.

Prof.Lakshminarasimha Bhatta., M.A.,Ph.D
Director cum Chief Investigator
Pancaratragama Kosa Project
Rastriya Sanskrit University, Tirupati. (AP)

S.Swaminathan
Formerly Professor, Indian Institute of Technology – Delhi
Formerly, Director, SUDARSANAM, a Centre for Arts and Culture, Pudukkottai.

An Independent India brought hope of revival of great traditions of India that were felt to be suppressed during centuries-old foreign rule. But the initial euphoria died rather too soon, and the new India acted exactly the opposite, of neglecting the hoary traditions, with the unfortunate result of most of artist and craftsmen abandoning their family vocation and getting lost in the nameless population of consumerism. The silver lining, however thin it is, is that some held to their family professions tenaciously. The Kumbakonam brothers, Mr.K.P.Veezhinathan and Mr.K.P.Umapathy belong to this miniscule minority.

It is heartening to note that they not only preserve in their family profession as Sthapathi-s, but also go about arguing in favor of the traditional crafts with a rare missionary spirit. I have known the brothers and their family for more than five years. Though I have no competence to judge their knowledge, I have had the unique opportunity of feeling the ambience of their family and associating with them in many activities.

I have great regard for their scholarship. This I can sense from the kind of advice scholars seek from them and also from the high opinion experts have on their work. I have also seen some of the creations which are the result of skill and knowledge imbibed through years of apprentice ship and deep, contemplative study. More than anything, the zeal to carry on the profession in order to bequeath to the future generations our priceless heritage is a great hope to Indian traditional knowledge systems.

I am among those who are inspired by the brothers and I am also with them in their mission.

S.Swaminathan.
Chennai.
2008

Sri.K.P.Umapathy Sthapati visited Sanskrit Sanskriti Samshodhika a research wing of Janaprabodhni on 10th of Oct 2006 and delivered a nice lecture. The topic of his lecture was ‘contribution of Viswakarmas to Architecture and Iconography’. Umapati’s lecture, with power point presentation, was a great success. He elucidated the civil engineering side of the Viswakarma’s Vastu-Sastra and then he turned to the topic of iconography. This is a topic which is very rarely discussed in public meetings. But Umapati, well versed in his subject, knows the technology of the iconography. Hence his lecture was the expression of the artistic tradition of so many generations of a Sthapati. It was a happy blending of spirituality and technology.

The august gathering present for this unique lecture consisted of various dignitaries, from Pune. Here are few names: Dr.R.N.Shukla, .Director (Rtd), National Chemical laboratory, Pune, Dr.M.G.Dhadaphale, Secretary, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, Dr.P.P.Apte, Ex. Editor, Sanskrit Dictionary, Deccan college, Pune. Prof Deglurkar an eminent Indologist and Director, Deccan College, Pune.

Lelay
Sanskrit Sanskruti Samshodhika Santrika
Pune
23/11/2006

This is to certify that Sri.K.P.Umapathy, Kumbakonam, the traditional Sthapati – is a gifted sculptor. He proved his efficiency in the manifestation of Silpas in different mediums. The National Seminar on “Sastra and Prayoga of Vastu-Vidya at the University of Calicut and National Seminar on “Vaastu-Sastra” at Sri Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit are two rare occasion to me to understand his knowledge in Silpa-Sastras.

Dr.P.V.Ouseph
Head, Department of Vaastu Vidya
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit,
Kalady (Kerala)

It was my pleasure to meet KP Umapathy Acharya from Kumbakonam during my visit in India as an American Institute of Indian studies fellow from October to December, 2006. Without any exaggeration I can state that KP Umapathy Acharya being a hereditary artist is a specialist of his work and a keen student of traditional Indian sculpture. Over numberless hours of discussion and sharing of experience I learned many things that were immensely valuable for my further research. The overall impression of K.P.Umapathy Acharya is that he is an honest person and diligent student of Indian art. I wish him good luck in sharing his personal experience and hereditary knowledge that would be a huge contribution to the field of Indian art.

I have no doubt about him being an expert of so far less known aspects of Hindu sculpture - both its theory and practice.

The two brothers Sri.K.P.Veezhinatha and Sri K.P.Umapathy, who hail from the famous town Kumbakonam in South India, are really conforming to traditional style of work.

This has become possible because they come under the discipline of their forefathers, who were famous in this field of ancient art, having handed over these styles as a family treasure from father to son. Their training under the guidance of their illustrious Father, Brahma Sri Acharya N.Panchapagesan, from their very young age speaks itself in every one of their creation and in fact, this credit goes to their father, who brought them into this field of art.

They prefer to maintain the same old discipline and code of conduct, as laid down in the Vedic rule and regulations, rather then breaking the tradition to go in line with the modern work of art.

This ancient art should be considered as an endangered work of art and they should be given all the encouragement.

R.Rajaraman
Hon.Consultanat,
ISKON
Mumbai-400049
28/12/1998

Mr.K.P.Umapathy Son of Acharya N.Panchapagesan is a skilled Silpi and great scholar of our ancient Silpa Sastras. His skill and scholarship are praise worthy and his research papers published in various journals mirror his deep study of the subject.

He deserves all encouragement and praise from all scholars and art lovers of the world, and hope he will have his coveted seat of honor in near future.

Maha Mahopadhyaya
Dr.P.Nageswara Rao, M.A.,Ph.D
Kulapathi,
Akhila Bharata Viswakarma Brahmana Jnana Pith, New Delhi.
Hyderabad.
03/03/2008

Sri.K.P.Veezhinathan and Sri K.P.Umapathy both brothers and hereditary sculptors hails from a family of great sculptors, Vedic and Silpa Sastra scholars.

We have been assigned them to make Silver kavachams for Shri Navagriha murthies both front and back sides (18 Kavachams). They took nearly four months to finish the above art work.

They translated their profound knowledge in Shilpa Shastras, Vedas and the inherited techniques to these holy kavachas by their work of art.

Their knowledge and technique is perfect enough, they use every sculptural line with a consummate mastery with an incomparable charm, grace and tenderness.

The appeal of this art is in fact to the soul for communion with the divinity of Shri Navagraha Baghavans. At the time of installation they performed religious rituals and Vedic mantras on 25/12/1998 which is very much appreciated by a large number of devotees.

We wish both the brothers a bright future and pray the Almighty to bless them with a long and prosperous life.

Hon. Secretary
South Indian Bhajan Samaj,
Telang Road,
Matunga,
Mumbai.
20/4/1995

Sri K.P.Veezhinathan and Sri K.P.Umapathy of Kumbakonam come from an illustrious family of well-known Silpa Sastra scholars. Both of them, besides being graduates in modern education, have acquired extensive traditional knowledge in Silpa Sastras and executed several sheet metal Kavachams and very beautiful bronze sculptures, adopting traditional style and methods.

In September/October 1994 Messrs K.P.Veezhinathan and K.P.Umapathy made Gold kavacham (2kg.22carat) for Sri Raja Rajeswari of our temple in a very short span of 27 days. The workmanship and the finish exhibited in the kavacham were of a high order conforming to the Shilpa Sastras in all details and were very much appreciated by a large number of devotees.

M/s .K.P.Veezhinathan and K.P.Umapathy were again entrusted by us with the work of making gold kavachams (4Kg.22carat) for Sri Rama, Sri Sita Devi, Sri.Lashmanar and Sri Hanuman of our temple. They completed the work within 75 days and the beautiful and artistic kavachams bear ample testimony to the artistic skills and good workmanship possessed by these two able and enthusiastic artists.

Judging by the technical knowledge they possess, the hard work they put in, in every work they take up and the attractive Gold Kavachams they have made for us, we are confident that both of them have a bright future

Pushpakant A.Mhatre.
Hon.Secretary
Shri Mukteshvar Devalaya
Juhu
Mumbai.
25/12/1998

It gives me pleasure to inform you that the formula you have given for fabricating eye for statues has found to be extremely useful. We tried the same on some marble statues and proved to be extremely perfect. Follow the formula and the formula will follow the creation of cosmetic eye giving lively look.

Dr.J.H.Dharwadkar
Dental Surgeon and Maxillofacial Prosthetist
Pune.
5/10/2002

Dear Shri. Umapathy,
I would like to convey my deep gratitude for your participation in the seminar "Vastuvidya – Sastra and Prayoga in the Architectural Traditions of Kerala "at Calicut.

I am sincerely grateful for your insightful presentation and perceptive comments in the seminar sessions. These together added to the quality of flow of discussion that took place between scholars and practicing Sthapatis.

Dr.Madhu Khanna
Associate Professor
Indra Gandhi National Centre For The Arts
New Delhi.