A two-day international Tamil literary conference was held at Madurai Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College on September 30 and October 1, bringing together Tamil scholars, researchers, professors and literature enthusiasts from India and abroad.
The conference was jointly organised by the Centre for Higher Studies in Tamil of the college, Mutharasi Art, Literary and Cultural Tamil Research Journal, Piral Journal, Madurai, and Anchirai Thumbi Literary Circle, Virudhunagar.
The inaugural session began with a welcome address by Dr. C. Gayathri Devi, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Tamil. Principal Dr. A. Ramasubbaiya delivered the presidential address. The four-volume conference souvenir containing 195 research papers was released by the Principal and received by special guest S. Tamilselvan. Dr. Hari Pandia Rajan delivered the concept note, while Dr. T. Mallika introduced the special guest.
Sahitya Akademi awardee and former State President of the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association S. Tamilselvan delivered the special address. He emphasised the need to take Tamil to the world and observed that Tamil literature reflects not only knowledge about the world but also the thoughts, values and lifestyles of people.
The conference comprised eight sessions, with more than 60 researchers presenting papers on Tamil literature and its links with global literature, humanism, lifestyle, nature, science, mathematics and universal thought. Discussions covered subjects ranging from Thirukkural, Tolkappiyam, Sangam literature, Thirumurai and Periyapuranam to Bharathiyar, Kambaramayanam and contemporary literature.
The conference also witnessed international participation through video conferencing. Professor Murugaiya Talingian participated from France on the first day. On the second day, Hirupasini Archana from Sri Lanka presented a paper on “The World in Oppari Songs”, while Dr. John Britto from Australia delivered a special address on “Thinai”.
The valedictory session was presided over by Dr. Alagesan, Head of the Department of Economics and Student Dean. Dr. Ramar presented the conference proceedings and observations. Dr. T. Aram, President of Tamil Nadu Perumandram, delivered the special address and stressed the responsibility of Tamils to study literature and take its universal ideas to people across the world.
Faculty members, research scholars and students from various departments contributed to the successful conduct of the conference.