OBITUARY 67 Thavaraj's however was the first signature. An intellectual who not only identifies himself with the Marxist cause but is prepared to become a part of the Marxist movement is still a rather scarce commodity in India. It is no longer true perhaps to say, paraphrasing Marx, th^t "the group is becoming smaller and smaller and there are no reinforcements", but there can be little doubt that the group is pretty small Thavarafs passing away is a real loss precisely because he belonged to this very small group, and remained a part of it for decades. For Social Scientist with which he was associated from its very inception, and on whose editorial board he served during the last few years, the loss is immense. PRABHAT PATNAIK