Abithana Chintamani
Encyclopedia
Abithana Chitamani is an encyclopedia on Tamil
Literature written by A. Singaravelu Mudaliar (1855-1931). It is said that this is the first encyclopedia on Tamil
Literature. The first edition, which contains a recommendation dated 1899 by V. Kanakasabai Pillai, appeared in 1910 and contained 1050 pages. The second edition, containing 1634 pages, appeared posthumously in 1934, with a preface by the author's son, and is available as reprints.
on the 14th of September, 1901. It was founded by Pandithurai Thevar of the royal family of Sethupathis of Ramanathapuram
.
For quite some years, Thevar was feeling that it would be good if there was an encyclopaedic dictionary in Tamil. He was trying to get somebody to do the job.
Singaravelu Mudaliyar, a Tamil Pandit working at Pachaiyappa's College
, Chennai was striving hard to prepare such a work for many years and finally had succeeded in compiling the monumental work. There has been no other book like Abithana Chitamani in Tamil. Although It was ready to be published, Singaravelu Mudaliyar could not afford do so. Pandithorai thevar heard about the work and supported the publication of the work financially.
In the preface Singaravelu Mudaliyar says
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
Literature written by A. Singaravelu Mudaliar (1855-1931). It is said that this is the first encyclopedia on Tamil
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
Literature. The first edition, which contains a recommendation dated 1899 by V. Kanakasabai Pillai, appeared in 1910 and contained 1050 pages. The second edition, containing 1634 pages, appeared posthumously in 1934, with a preface by the author's son, and is available as reprints.
History
The Fourth Tamil Sangam was formed in MaduraiMadurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
on the 14th of September, 1901. It was founded by Pandithurai Thevar of the royal family of Sethupathis of Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram , also known as Ramnad, is a city and a municipality in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Ramanathapuram district.-Tourism:...
.
For quite some years, Thevar was feeling that it would be good if there was an encyclopaedic dictionary in Tamil. He was trying to get somebody to do the job.
Singaravelu Mudaliyar, a Tamil Pandit working at Pachaiyappa's College
Pachaiyappa's College
Pachaiyappa's College is one of the oldest educational institutions in Chennai, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The college was established as Pachaiyappa's Central Institution at Popham's Broadway on January 1, 1842, from money given in Pachaiyappa Mudaliar's will. It was the first Hindu...
, Chennai was striving hard to prepare such a work for many years and finally had succeeded in compiling the monumental work. There has been no other book like Abithana Chitamani in Tamil. Although It was ready to be published, Singaravelu Mudaliyar could not afford do so. Pandithorai thevar heard about the work and supported the publication of the work financially.
In the preface Singaravelu Mudaliyar says