Tiruchirapalli Tamil Sangam on Sunday honoured eminent Tamil scholar Dr. V. Rathinasabapathy with great Tamil scholar Mahavidwan Thirisirapuram Meenakshiisundaram Pillai centenary memorial, a cash award of Rs.10,000 and a citation for rendering yeoman service for Tamil development.
Siva P. Mookapillai, president of the Tiruchirapalli Tamil Sangam, presented the award to Dr. Rathinasabapathy after honouring him with a ponnadai at a function held at Tamil Sangam Mandram in the presence of Thavathiru Mouna Sundaramurthy Swamigal of Chidambaram Mouna Mutt, Pulavar C. Sivakizhundu, secretary of the sangam and other dignitaries.
Mr. Mookapillai who presided over the function, said Mahavidwan Meenakshisundaram Pillai centenary memorial award was being presented since 1976 to great Tamil scholars including Thirumuruga Kripananda Variar, Mahavidwan Dhandapani Desikar, Udumalpet K. Nainar Mohamed, A. Gnanasambandam, Dr. K.A.P. Viswanatham and Dr. Avvai Natarajan. He recalled the yeoman services rendered by Meenakshisundaram Pillai for Tamil language and also writing religious hymns and books.
Thavathiru Mouna Sundaramurthy Swamigal who inaugurated the function, spoke about the contributions made by Mahavidwan Meenakshisundaram Pillai and pointed out that he had written thousands of religious poems and commentary for several ancient Tamil works.
After receiving the award, Dr. Rathinasabapathy thanked the great services rendered by the Tiruchirapalli Tamil Sangam for promoting Tamil and also recognising the services of Tamil scholars.
Pulavar Sivakozhundu, secretary of the sangam, Tamil scholars P.Udayakumar and K.Arangarasan also spoke.
