The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : He has a classic rapport with students

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

He has a classic rapport with students

Staff Reporter

READING A POEM: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi with Rector B. Jayaraj (left) and principal A. Albert Muthumalai, at `Ovations 2006' at Loyola College on Tuesday. — PHOTO: S.R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI : One of the oldest texts on Tamil grammar became all the more interesting and comprehensible when the literary persona of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi spoke on the Tholkappiam to students of Loyola College on Tuesday.

"I do not intend to speak politics here. However, I am not responsible for certain political references that may come up during the course of my speech." Students roared in laughter as Mr. Karunanidhi began his speech at their cultural fest `Ovations 2006'. Despite the disclaimer, the Chief Minister's address entirely focussed on Tamil literature.

He read out excerpts from his book `Tholkappia Poonga', a simplified commentary on grammatical concepts dealt with in the original text.

"Grammar is not something difficult to understand. But unfortunately we have made it seem like that. In `Tholkappia Poonga', I have presented my interpretations of the ancient text in simple language so that students can understand easily."

Later, Mr.Karunanidhi recited a poem he had written as a 20-year-old on a `Purananooru' piece. The thunderous applause that followed indicated the instant rapport he struck with the students. "We should all work for the cause of Tamil and students should never lose their ethnic affinity," he said. Speakers added to the cheer by pointing out that the Chief Minister was born in 1924, the year the college was founded.

Earlier, Rev. Fr. B. Jayaraj, Rector, Loyola College, lauded Mr. Karunanidhi's contribution to the Tamil literature, theatre and film industry.

Principal A. Albert Muthumalai said Loyola's pre-poll survey predicted Mr. Karunanidhi's victory. He thanked the Chief Minister for his support to minority institutions and for lifting the ban on teacher recruitment.

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