Parithimar Kalaignar

Vilacheri Govinda Suryanarayana Sastri (6 July 1870 – 2 November 1903), better known by his pen name, Parithimar Kalaignar, a Professor of Tamil at the Madras Christian College, was the first person to campaign for the recognition of Tamil as a classical language.

Life

Suryanarayana Sastri was born at Vilacheri near Thirupparankundram in a Tamil Brahmin family to Govindan Sivan. He studied philosophy and after graduation was soon employed as a Professor of Tamil in the Madras Christian College. In 1895, Suryanarayana Sastri rose to become the Head of Department for Tamil at the Madras Christian College.

When the Madras University proposed to exclude Tamil from its syllabus, Parithimar Kalaignar vehemently protested against the proposal forcing the authorities to drop the move.

Parithimar Kalaignar was also the first to use the Tamil name Kumarinadu for the mythical lost-land of Lemuria.

Death

Paritihimar Kalaignar died in 1903 due to tuberculosis

On 17 August 2007, postage stamps were issued in memory of Saint Vallalar, Parithimar Kalaignar and Maraimalai Adigal.

On 13 December 2006, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi extended an amount of to the Tamil scholar's descendants.