The Tamil Wiki Periyasamy Thooran Award was presented to anthropologist Karasur Padmavathi here recently.
A release said the award carried a cash of ₹2 lakh and a sculpture. Swami Brahmananda of the Vidyaranya Ashram, Malaysia, spoke felicitating the awardee.
Folkloristics scholar A.K. Perumal said that her work redefined anthropology research in Tamil Nadu. According to a study by the International Institute of Tamil Studies, very few books based on PhD theses coming out of the State are worthy publications, he said and added that her books are foremost among them. Her book about the transgender community in the State (Thirunangaiyar - oru) is entirely new and informative as it records 18 previously unknown stories about the community.
Speaking about Tamil Wiki, writer Jeyamohan urged the need and importance of creating encyclopedias. He spoke about the need for high intellectual standards in research. He praised Karasur Padmabharathi for her high standards and said her selection for the award was a unanimous decision. She had made the first foray into understanding the lives of marginalised communities like Narikkuravas and transgender people, he said.
