Veteran Tamil scholars honored

[TamilNet, Sunday, 19 October 2003, 19:10 GMT]
Eight veteran Tamil scholars were honored at the final day celebrations of the North East Provincial Tamil Literary Festival held Sunday at Vavuniya Irambaikulam Girls Maha Vidiyalayam with the presentation of Governor's Award-2003, sources said.

The thirteenth annual Tamil Literary festival of the North East Provincial Education, Cultural, Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry started Friday at Vavuniya and concluded Sunday.

The life sketches of the Tamil scholars honored at the festival follow:

1. Ms Thangamma Appakutty
   Born on 7.1.1925 in Tellipalai in Jaffna district she passed out as a Pundit in Tamil language and literature. She has dedicated her self for the development of Saivaism and Tamil language. Later she became the trustee of the Tellipalai Thurgai Thevasthanam thirty years ago and has been continuing in the post. She has founded and managing Saiva Tamil Research Library, Sivathamilchelvi Annai Illam, Sri Thurga Devi Annachathiram and Thurgapuram Women Home. Siva community conferred her with the title " Thurga Thuranthari" for her Saivaism and Tamil. Social Service Ministry conferred the title " Kalasuri" on her in 1991 and the Jaffna University conferred honorary doctorate on her in 1998 for her services rendered for the development of education and religion.
   
   
2. Mr.A.J.Kanakaratne
   Born in Kayts in Jaffna district in the year 1938 is considered as a leading literary critic in the literary world. After university education he worked as a journalist in a leading English daily. He has translated several selected Tamil short stories and poem into English. Some of his literary works have appeared in English magazines abroad
   
   
3. Sangeethapooshanam Raju Master
   Born in the year 1924 in Kumbokonam, South India he passed out as a carnatic musician from Annamalai University with the title "Sangeethapooshanam". He came to Sri Lanka in the year 1952. He married in Batticaloa and permanently settled there working as a music teacher
   
   
4. Pavalar Faleel Kariapper
   Born on 9.5.1940 at Sammanthurai in the eastern province Mr.M.S.M.Faleel Kariapper has started composing Tamil poems during his school days. The title " Pavalar" was conferred on him at an event held in his hometown under the presidentship of Pulavarmani Periyathambipillai.
   
   
5. Mr.K.N.Kanapathipillai (Sinnamani)
   Born on 30.3.1936 in Mathanai, Vadamarachchi in Jaffna district he entered the field of "Villisai" during his school days. He has acted in several plays depicting the lives of King Ravanan and Saint Nanthanar. He has staged Villisai music more than thousand times
   
   
6. Mr.Shanmugam Sivalingam
   Born on 12.09.1936 in Kalmunai in the eastern province he is a science graduate. He was teacher later served as Principal of several schools in the east. He is considered as a creative writer. He has composed several poems, which have been acclaimed by critics in several forums. He has written several short stories and novels
   
   
7. Kalaignar S.Kanapathipillai
   Born on 4.8.1932 in Mulliayawallai in Mullaitivu district Mr. Kanapathipillai has acted in more than hundred plays. He has excelled not only in acting but also in playing musical instruments such Nathaswaram, Thavil and Miruthangam.
   
   
8. Mr.M.Ponnambalam
   Born on 26.08.1003 in Pungudutheivu in Jaffna district he is considered as a leading Tamil writer for the last thirty years. He was the editor for several Tamil magazines published from Jaffna.
   
   

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