The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Tribute paid to Tamil scholar

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Tribute paid to Tamil scholar

Special Correspondent

RELIGIOUS HEAD: A portrait of Tiruppapuliyur Sivathiru Gnaniyar Adigal being unveiled in Pudukottai.

PUDUKOTTAI: People from various walks of life paid tributes to yeoman services rendered for the cause of Tamil language by religious head and Tamil scholar Tiruppapuliyur Sivathiru Gnaniyar Adigal at a function organised by the Tirukkural Kazhagam here recently.

Sivathiru Gnaniyar Adigal was the head of the Gnaniyar Mutt, Tiruppapuliyur.

The former president of the Rotary Club of Pudukottai and Managing Director of the Ponmari Educational Institutions, A. L. Sokkalingam, after unveiling the portrait, said that religious heads and even rationalist leader like E.V.R. Periyar hailed Gnaniyar Adigal’s service for protecting the interest of Tamil language.

Thavathiru Dayananda Chandrasekaran of Siva Brindavan Adheenam, Pudukottai, in his presidential address, recalled the services rendered by Saiva Mutt heads for promoting Tamil world over.

The former Principal of the Senthamil College, Karaikudi, T. Murugasamy, explained the key role played by Gnaniyar Adigal in promoting Tamil at a time when the North Indian languages were ruling the roost. He said that Gnaniyar throughout his lifetime opposed imposition of Hindi. His contribution was always hailed by world-renowned Tamil scholars such as Thiru Vi. Ka., Maraimalai Adigal and Na. Mu. Venkatasamy Nattar.

Late Gnaniyar was a Saiva Mutt head, who changed the convention of people visiting the mutt. Instead, he himself visited the people and attracted them towards Tamil language and literature. He was a frontrunner who motivated the people to oppose tooth and nail the imposition of Hindi on Tamils. Mr. Murugasamy commended the Tirukkural Kazhagam for organising functions to honour such scholars.

The president of the Tirukkural Kazhagam, P. Ramaiyya, its secretary, V. Ramadoss, and treasurer G. Govindasamy, offered felicitations.

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