Kaviarangam brings out the seven qualities of Tamil

June 28, 2010 02:45 pm | Updated 02:45 pm IST - COIMBATORE:

Kavignar Vali (second right) chairing a poetry session 'Thamizhukkum Amuthendru Paer' at World Classical Tamil Conference in Coimbatore on Saturday. Photo: K.Ananthan.

Kavignar Vali (second right) chairing a poetry session 'Thamizhukkum Amuthendru Paer' at World Classical Tamil Conference in Coimbatore on Saturday. Photo: K.Ananthan.

After the Mangala Isai, day four of the World Classical Tamil Conference began with the Kaviarangam titled “Tamizhukum Amuthendru Paer” (Tamil is also known by the name of nectar).

Chaired by Vaali, the introduction to the seven qualities was given by Mu. Metha. They were ‘Inimai' (sweetness), ‘Ilamai' (youthfulness), ‘Pazhamai' (antiquity), ‘Thooimai' (purity), ‘Ezhichi' (renaissance), ‘Suvai' (taste), and ‘Pudhumai' (modernity).

The seven speakers dealt with their respective topics with zeal and quoted profusely from literature and various literary works. In relation to their topics, the speakers drew comparisons from literature with the conference and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

Mr. Metha in his opening remarks said that till now Tamil was being spoken in various parts of the world. But, now the whole world was speaking about Tamil.

Mr. Vaali said that though Parithimar Kalaignar was the first to raise the demand for granting the classical language status to Tamil, it was Mr. Karunanidhi who had completed the edifice.

On purity of Tamil, Thanikai Selvan said the movement for transforming Tamil into a “pure” language was vigorously pursued by Tamil scholars and leaders of the Dravidian movements. Referring to the studies of Asko Parpola, the Finnish Indologist, Mr. Selvan said they had proved that Harappan language was a Dravidian language.

Ilampirai, speaking on the topic of renaissance, said that Tamil had always been a language of renaissance.

Quoting the examples of the Chief Minister tactfully answering the posers of journalists, and Mr. Vaali penning youthful lyrics for A.R. Rahman's music, Palani Bharathi said they proved that the language was kept youthful by such stalwarts.

Each world language was associated with certain qualities such as belief and valour. But, Tamil was the only language that was all inclusive, said P. Vijay while speaking on sweetness of the language. He also made a mention of how certain words had been replaced so as not to hurt the sentiments of certain groups, for example, ‘Aravani' becoming ‘Thirunangai'.

Mr. Tamizhdasan spoke on modernity in Tamil, Ms. Uma Maheswari spoke on the taste, while K. Vezhavendhan spoke on antiquity.

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