July 2010
The World Classical Tamil conference at Kovai from 23rd June to 27th June - an assessment and road map
The world classical tamil conference at coimbatore from 23rd to 27th june 2010 was one of the greatest shows of strength by the Tamil race and the ardent supporters, scientists and research scholars of tamil language.
The Conference was inaugurated by by no less a personage than the Her Excellency The President of India Tmt Pratibha Devisingh Patil. His Excellency The Governor Of Tamilnadu Thiru Surjit Singh Barnala delivered a special address releasing the souvenir, while Dr Kalaignar Karunanidhi, the honourable Chief Minister, graced the presidentship, for the unprecedented popular upsurge, like the commander-in-chief of the Tamil Army.
Honourable Finance Minister Prof Anbazhagan read the citation for the covetable Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Award for conferment on Prof Akoparpolo who richly deserves it.
Prof George Hart, Prof K. Sivathambi from Sri Lanka and hundreds of scholars from all over the world attended the conference and delivered their learned and highly valuable speeches. We are all highly indebted to them.
Hon'ble M.K Alagiri, the Southern Command, has marshalled his army in 4000 buses, along with thousands of cars. The Honourable Deputy Chief Minister Thiru M.K Stalin like the Northern Command had equalled in amassing the ardent supporters of Tamil Cause. Madame M.K Kanimozhi arrayed a plethora of artists, singers and dancers of folk arts as well as traditional.
It was a sea of human beings, well disciplined and well behaved with decorum. All scholars have an addition of ten more years to their life span. For they bathed under the ambrosia churned out of this ocean of congregation.
Mr Dayanidhi Maran gifted his technical know how in the science of Information Technology. His team has wonderfully picturised various scenes from Sangam literature. It was a great draw at the exhibition.
All officials under the leadership of the chief secretary and the district collector played their roles very well. We congratulate the food committee for their excellent service. Every one was happy to say kudos to this team. There might be one or two minor inconveniences but they are negligible if one considers the grand scale of the Mela.
Now we have to strike the profit and loss account.
1. Tamils can resurrect like the proverbial Phoenix if Dr. Kalaignar commands. The Tamils as a race are invincible. The race will survive even the greatests of geo calamities.
2. They love their Mother Tongue more than their own life. Hence they are prepared for any sacrifice to protect it.
3. A great reservoir of enthusiasm has been built and it is full to the brim. Now we expect Dr. Kalaignar to prepare a master plan to harvest this great produce and utilise it for future welfare of the Tamil race and language.
4. The existing inconveniences to the society like the perennial effluvia problem in areas like Karur and effluents in thickly industrialised cities like Chennai should be done away with once for all, probably by an ordinance by the centre and the state. Human lives cannot be bartered for the convenience of the few industrialists.
5. The poets, authors and playwrights deserve a better deal. The Honourable Minister P. Chidanbaram proposed a grant of five lakhs for every author who writes a book and Rs 5 lakhs for the publishers. Now the payment from the Directorate of Education, Rural administration and panchayat development and that of public libraries are not even able to cover the break even. Dr. Kalaignar himself a "Philosopher King" need not be reminded of the plight of the writers as a class.
6. We also request the honourable Chief Minister to constitute an all party expert committee to advise the government to call for viable proposals from the competent people to solve burning problems of the day .
Dr. P. Pandian I.A.S (Retd)
(Kavignar Bacon)
My tryst with The Cankam literature in translating into English
By
Dr. P. Pandian, I.A.S (Retd)
Paper presented at the International Classical Tamil World Meet
On English Translation of Cankam works
Organised By The Centre For Classical Tamil Under The Aegis Of The Government Of Tamilnadu
At Coimbatore, 23rd to 27th June 2010
Download the full paper (PDF file)
Download the presentation (PPT file)
Click below to view the photo gallery from the International Classical Tamil World Meet
Editor Dr. P. Pandian at the inaugral function.
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Dr. P. Pandian presenting his paper in the conference.
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Editor discussing with Singapore delegates. Here Amaladas is discussing with Dr. Pandian.
Editor Dr. P. Pandian is discussing with Thol Thirumavalavan, the future plan for a better society.
Dr. P. Pandian (IAS) discusses with Dr Ramasamy, officer in charge of Classical Tamil, and Mr R. Krishnamurthy, Editor Dinamalar and an eminent numismatist.
A word with Dr. Avvai Natarajan.
Dr. Ramasamy with your Editor.
Dr. P. Pandian (IAS) congratulates Dr. Askoparpalo for his rich contribution to Tamil language and culture. Dr Kalaignar Award was conferred on him most fittingly.
Dr. P. Pandian and Sarathanambi Arooran with the Canadian scholars.
One of the most ancient statues.
The five faced drum of the ancient Tamils.
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