The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Rich tradition of Tamil hailed

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Monday, Sep 22, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Rich tradition of Tamil hailed

Staff Reporter

Encomiums for Pandithurai Thevar

— Photo: K. Ganesan.

IN PRAISE: A.R. Lakshmanan, Chairman, Law Commission, addressing the centenary celebration of Tamil Sangam in Madurai on Saturday.

MADURAI: Right from the ancient days of humanity around the world, Tamils had preached universal love and global peace as the words ‘Yaadhum Oorae, Yaavarum Kelir’ of poet Kaniyan Poongunranar stand testimony to that, said Ponnambala Desigar of Kundrakudi Mutt on Saturday.

Delivering the inaugural address at the centenary celebrations of Madurai Tamil Sangam here, he spoke on the rich Tamil tradition of art and literature. Showering encomiums on Pandithurai Thevar, the founder of the fourth Tamil Sangam, he narrated how the Sangam came into existence. When invited to Madurai to deliver a speech, Pandithurai Thevar needed references from the Tirukkural and the Kamba Ramayanam.

But he found that they were not available anywhere in Madurai. He felt angst that Madurai, home of Tamil Sangam, did not have the Tirukkural and the Kamba Ramayanam.

He resolved then and there that he would form a new Tamil Sangam and bring up Mother Tamil to Her former glory. In 1901, a big meeting was held in Madurai. On the fourth day of the meeting, the Fourth Tamil Sangam was inaugurated in the Setupathi High School. The Fourth Tamil Sangam was formed on September 14, 1901.

He further said that the sign of a developed nation was not its richness in material wealth but the reach of science and technology to the downtrodden. Ponnambala Desigar released the Setupathi Pillai Tamil book written by Kamatchipuram Adheenam and Law Commission of India Chairman Justice AR. Lakshmanan received the first copy.

Mr. Lakshmanan said that even though the Sangam was formed in 1901 it was registered only in 1908 so it was apt to conduct the celebrations this year.

Stating that it was a positive sign that many events were happening these days to promote Tamil language, he appreciated the efforts of Setupathi Kings in promoting the language. He also remembered the contributions of Baskara Setupathi who was also instrumental in sending Swami Vivekananda to America. N. Sethuraman, chairman, Senthamil Kalloori, welcomed the participants. Madurai Tamil Sangam president N. Kumaran Setupathi presided. R. B. K Rajeshwari Nachiar, R. Alagumalai, secretary, Madurai Tamil Sangam, and R. Gurusamy, secretary, Senthamil Kalloori, were among those were present.

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