Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Research Chair in `Tamizh isai' to be set up

By A.A. Michael Raj

COIMBATORE, MAY 1. Research in ancient devotional songs in Tamil will be carried out by the research Chair in Tamil music, to be instituted by Bharathiar University shortly, with an initial endowment of Rs. 25 lakhs.

Sources at the University told The Hindu here recently the research chair in `Tamizh isai' was likely to be named after the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswati, who has announced a token advance of Rs. 1 lakh for establishing the chair.

A trust headed by D. Jayavarthanavelu, chairman, Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd., and S.V. Balasubramaniam, chairman, Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Medical Trust, Sankara Eye Society, as coordinator, is likely to be formed.

The research activities would focus on highlighting the importance of devotional songs in ancient Tamil, especially in treasured works such as Tiruppugazh, Devaram, Thiruvasagam and Nalayira Divviya Prabandam. These songs, that have withstood the passage of time, speak of the greatness of the Almighty and the relationship between the devotee and God.

Besides conducting in-depth research into the subject, the Chair would also take up extension activities on ancient Tamil hymns. It will be aimed at highlighting the richness of expression in these hymns among scholars and devotees.

The steps to institute the Chair followed discussions between the Sankaracharya and S. Sivasubramanian, Vice-Chancellor, Bharathiar University.

On April 25, the Sankaracharya announced the decision to institute the Chair at the graduation ceremony for the Eye Care Managers and Vision Care Technicians passing out of the Sankara Tulsi National Institute of Community Ophthalmology, under the Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Viswa Mahavidyalaya Deemed University.

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