Tamil Literature Society marks platinum jubilee

The role of Tamil Literature Society in promoting Tamil language, literature, and critical thought over the decades were highlighted by speakers at the platinum jubilee celebrations of the society held at the St. Joseph’s College here on Monday.

Founded in 1948 by the late Tamil scholar Xavier Thaninayagam Adigal, a priest of the Thoothukudi diocese, the organisation was established with the objective of fostering and promoting Tamil language and literary scholarship. Thaninayagam Adigal was instrumental in initiating the World Tamil Conference movement and establishing Tamil research institutions, besides playing a key role in organising the first five International Tamil conferences.

Swami Dayananda Chandrasekhar of Thiruvarul Adheenam, Pudukkottai, the chief guest, said Tamil was an ancient language that transcended religious boundaries and urged people to respect Tamil literature and draw values from it.

Rev. Bishop Peter Remegius, chairman of the society, said it had rendered immense service to the Tamil world and lauded Thaninayagam Adigal’s vision and commitment. Rector of St. Joseph’s College Rev. Fr. Paulraj Michael praised the founder’s efforts in taking Tamil scholarship to the global stage.

Amuthan Adigal, secretary of the society, told The Hindu that though the society was initially planned to be set up in Chennai, it was founded in Thoothukudi because of non-availability of a suitable venue and later shifted to Tiruchi. He said the society had published over 100 books spanning religious and secular themes, organised conferences, conducted regular literary criticism meetings, and held creative writing workshops across districts that nurtured several writers. The organisation has been running a journalism course since 1995 and supports Bible translation and theological studies.