"KAALATHAI VENDRA TAMIL" Lecture at TSA College

"Tamil as a language has not only survived but evolved with time and that makes it something special" were the words of Mr.C.R.Elangovan, well known historian and researcher. Mr.C.R.Elangovan was addressing the students of Thavathiru Santhalinga Adigalar Arts Science and Tamil College on the topic "Kaalathai Vendra Tamil" at the college auditorium from 02.00 PM to 03.00 PM on Wednesday, 07 January 2026. The event was a part of outreach efforts of Chennai International Book Fair 2026. 

Dr.K.Thirunavukarasu, Principal, Thavathiru Santhalinga Adigalar Arts Science and Tamil College welcomed the gathering and emphasised the significance of the programme in his address. Mr.P.Rajendran, District Library Officer, Coimbatore gave a key note on Chennai International Book Fair 2026 explaining the salient features of the book fair and sought the participation of students in the book fair. Deivathiru Santhalinga Maruthachala Adhigalar, Adheenam of Perur presided the meeting and rendered the Presidential Address. Dr.S.Abhirami, Chief Librarian of the college proposed the Vote of Thanks

In his eloquent address, Mr.Elangovan provided a brief overview of evolution of Tamil over centuries from a spoken language to its versatile usage in Internet Era. He mentioned that while languages of other ancient civilisations are either lost over period of time or stopped growing, Tamil has maintained its versatility and adaptability. He spoke about the profoundity of thoughts contained in the language as evident from lines from Ayngurunooru in 350 CE to Bharathiyar's Aathichoodi in 1900s. He quoted a line from Manimegalai which lucidly explains what every country needs. The lines "Pasi, pini, pagai neengi, vasiyum valanum surakka" find resonance in Thirukural 734 "Urupasiyum Oova Piniyum" and they continue to stay in minds in mordern Tamil literature too. With rich literary forms and by vehement efforts of Tamil scholars, Tamil has not only withstood the test of time for 2000 years but has remained victorious in its battle with time. While we can take pride on this, it is also the paramount responsibility of the current generation with excessive media exposure to not only safeguard the richness of Tamil but enhance it with our own creations. He called for students to get a taste of Tamil literature and enrich Tamil literature with their wisdom.

The lecture was well received by the students. The students mentioned that they gained a better and richer perspective on the antiquity and speciality of Tamil. They also understood the need to absorb ancient Tamil literature as readers and produce good thoughts in Tamil as writers.