Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai
Encyclopedia
Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai or Mahavidhvan Meenakshisundaram Pillai(Tamil
:மீனாட்சிசுந்தரம் பிள்ளை) is an eminent Tamil
scholar and is the teacher of U. V. Swaminatha Iyer
, a Tamil
scholar and researcher who was instrumental in bringing many long-forgotten works of classical Tamil literature to light.
teacher in Mayiladuthurai
, he went on to train many students in the craft of Tamil
liteature. Because of his poverty, he was compelled to ghost writing and wrote books like Kuchelopakyam and the Suta Samitha. One of his first publications under his own name was Akhilanda Nayaki Pillai Tamil, written in 1842. He is remembered for his contribution to Tamil
studies as well as Saiva Agamas
(Rules of Saivites).
The celebrated Tamil
scholar U. V. Swaminatha Iyer
, known for his discovery of the Sangam
classics, became his student at the age of 17. Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai, who left behind him a treasure of Tamil
palm leaf manuscripts, died in poverty in 1876.
Along with the institution of Tamil literature
came an increased specilization of roles. Whereas poetic and musical composition were often combined in the creation of dramatic and poetic works, the dual role of Kirthana(musical text) composer and erudite poet was becoming unusual in the 19th century. U. V. Swaminatha Iyer
reports the contempt of his teacher, Pillai, for poets who composed musical works; music was thought to be a distraction from the more important aspects of grammar, poetics and mastery of traditional commentaries.
, which gained prominence after the 16th century and came to be recognised as an important literary text for studying temples in the context of socio-economic milieu. Pillai is said to have composed 90 Sthalapuranas(history of ancient temples) about various temples and imparted puranams to his pupils.
has compiled Pilla's biography in "A Poet's poet: Life of Maha Vidhvan Sri Meenakshisundaram Pillai: Based on the biography in Tamil by Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. U. V. Swaminathaiyer".
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
:மீனாட்சிசுந்தரம் பிள்ளை) is an eminent 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,...
scholar and is the teacher of U. V. Swaminatha Iyer
U. V. Swaminatha Iyer
U. V. Swaminatha Iyer , 1855–1942 C.E., was a Tamil scholar and researcher who was instrumental in bringing many long-forgotten works of classical Tamil literature to light...
, a Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
scholar and researcher who was instrumental in bringing many long-forgotten works of classical Tamil literature to light.
Literary Works
He begun his career as a TamilTamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
teacher in Mayiladuthurai
Mayiladuthurai
Mayiladuthurai , formerly known by its Sanskrit names Māyavaram and Mayūram is a town in the Nagapattinam District of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Mayiladuthurai taluk of Nagapattinam district and is the second-largest town in the district...
, he went on to train many students in the craft of Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
liteature. Because of his poverty, he was compelled to ghost writing and wrote books like Kuchelopakyam and the Suta Samitha. One of his first publications under his own name was Akhilanda Nayaki Pillai Tamil, written in 1842. He is remembered for his contribution to Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
studies as well as Saiva Agamas
Āgama (Hinduism)
Agama means, in the Hindu context, "a traditional doctrine, or system which commands faith".In Hinduism, the Agamas are a collection of Sanskrit scriptures which are revered and followed by millions of Hindus.-Significance:...
(Rules of Saivites).
The celebrated Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
scholar U. V. Swaminatha Iyer
U. V. Swaminatha Iyer
U. V. Swaminatha Iyer , 1855–1942 C.E., was a Tamil scholar and researcher who was instrumental in bringing many long-forgotten works of classical Tamil literature to light...
, known for his discovery of the Sangam
Sangam
The Tamil Sangams were assemblies of Tamil scholars and poets that, according to traditional Tamil accounts, occurred in the remote past. Three assemblies are described...
classics, became his student at the age of 17. Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai, who left behind him a treasure of Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
palm leaf manuscripts, died in poverty in 1876.
Along with the institution of Tamil literature
Tamil literature
Tamil literature refers to the literature in the Tamil language. Tamil literature has a rich and long literary tradition spanning more than two thousand years. The oldest extant works show signs of maturity indicating an even longer period of evolution...
came an increased specilization of roles. Whereas poetic and musical composition were often combined in the creation of dramatic and poetic works, the dual role of Kirthana(musical text) composer and erudite poet was becoming unusual in the 19th century. U. V. Swaminatha Iyer
U. V. Swaminatha Iyer
U. V. Swaminatha Iyer , 1855–1942 C.E., was a Tamil scholar and researcher who was instrumental in bringing many long-forgotten works of classical Tamil literature to light...
reports the contempt of his teacher, Pillai, for poets who composed musical works; music was thought to be a distraction from the more important aspects of grammar, poetics and mastery of traditional commentaries.
Sthala Puranas
Sthala Puranas constitute one of the 96 minor literary genres of TamilTamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
, which gained prominence after the 16th century and came to be recognised as an important literary text for studying temples in the context of socio-economic milieu. Pillai is said to have composed 90 Sthalapuranas(history of ancient temples) about various temples and imparted puranams to his pupils.
Work on him
U. V. Swaminatha IyerU. V. Swaminatha Iyer
U. V. Swaminatha Iyer , 1855–1942 C.E., was a Tamil scholar and researcher who was instrumental in bringing many long-forgotten works of classical Tamil literature to light...
has compiled Pilla's biography in "A Poet's poet: Life of Maha Vidhvan Sri Meenakshisundaram Pillai: Based on the biography in Tamil by Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. U. V. Swaminathaiyer".
Notable Works
- Prabada Tirattu
- Kanthimathiammai Pillai Tamil
- Sri Mangalambigai Pillai Tamil
- Perunthipirattiyar Pillai Tamil
- Thiruvidaikazhi Murugar Pillai Tamil
- Prabada Tirattu - Paguthi 10 - Sri Ambalavanathesikar Pillai Tamil
- Vaatpokki Kalambagam
- Thiruvavauthurai Atheenathuk Guru Parambarai Agaval
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 11 - Sri Ambalavana Thesigar Kalambagam
- Thiruvidaimaruthur Ula
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 13 - Seekazhi Kovai
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 14 - Thirupanjeelithirupandathi
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 15 - Thiruthillaiyamagavanthathi
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 16 - Thuraisaiyamagavanthathi
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 17 - Thirukudanthai Thiripandathi
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 18 - Thiruvidaimaruthur Thiripanthathi
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 19 - Palaivana Pathitranthathi
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 20 - Thirvooraipathiranthathi
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 26 - Thiruchiramalaiyamagavanthathi
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 27 - Thirupanjeeli thiripanthathi
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 28 - Kalaichaichidambareswarar Malai
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 29 - Agilanda Nayagi Malai
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 30 - Subramaniya Thesika Malai
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 31 - Sri Sachithananda Thesikar Malai
- Thiruvanaikka Agilandanayagi Pillai Tamil
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 2
- Seizhkizhar Pillai Tamil
- Thirugnana Sambandar Aaanantha Kalippu, Thirukkarkudi malai
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 32 - Thesikar Nenjuvidu Thoothu
- Prabantha Thirattu - Paguthi 33