PREFACE Harischandra is an Indian Ideal. His name is a household word right through the length and breadth of this country. The drama of his story, is probably one of the earliest extant in this Presidency at least. Many versions of the drama have been published hitherto. So an explanation is necessary, as to why I have added one more, to the already long list. I published an English version of the drama more than thirty years ago. I venture to think that it has been popular, for a third Edition has been called for. From that time, there have been persistent demands on me, that I should bring out a Tamil version of same. Hence I thought it my duty to supply the demand. Moreover, I find that all the existing wersions are too big to be acted within the space of three to four hours. A. version of the ever popular drama, which could be acted within, that time without being ‘cut’, would I thought be welcome to the stage going public. Persons desirous of staging this version of Harischandra or any other drama by role, have to pay me a royalty for each performance and obtain my previous permission, otherwise they would make themselves liable to be prosecuted for breach of copyright under the latest Copyright Act. I beg to offer a small reward, to any one who proves too me, that any person has infringed my copyright in any of my dramas. G. T., Madras. Pammal Lodge,
- . . } THE AUTHOR. 30th July 30. J.
