Tamil scholar, Periyarist and former director of Tamil Development Department Ma. Nannan, whose passion for the right use of the language was legendary, died here on Tuesday. Nannan was a household name in the 1980s and 90s when he taught Tamil in a lucid manner on Doordarshan. He was 94 and is survived by two daughters.
“From a primary school teacher to Tamil professor at the Presidency College, he achieved everything through sheer dedication and hard work. He was wedded to the ideals of Periyar and propagated his ideas and the poems of Bharathidasan,” said K. Thirunavukkarasu, historian of the Dravidian Movement.
Born Thirugnanasambandam in the composite South Arcot district, he studied Tamil in Annamalai University. A close friend of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, Nannan actively involved himself in the Tamil and social reform programmes organised by the party. He also set up a trust and honoured scholars and researchers every year.
“He belonged to the old school of Tamil teachers who placed self-respect above all other things,” said Mr. Thirunavukkarasu, who was honoured by Nannan on his birthday.
Nannan has written over 75 books and he would cite examples from ancient Tamil literature effortlessly to prove his point.
V. Arasu, former head of the department of Tamil of the Madras University, said Nannan was known for his integrity and never compromised on his principles. “Like Periyar, he spoke his mind and he was a pioneer in publishing the works of Periyar,” said Dr. Arasu.
When Doordarshan Tamil was launched, he produced a programme aimed at writing and speaking proper Tamil, and it immediately became a hit.
Nannan headed the social reforms committee set up during the DMK regime. “He always appreciated our thrust on equality and eradication of caste and forwarded to the government our recommendations. Of all Periyar’s ideals, eradication of caste and equality remained close to Nannan’s heart,” said former VCK MLA D. Ravikumar, who was also a member of the social reforms committee. Nannan was a freedom fighter and he participated in the Quit India Movement. He also involved himself in the anti-Hindi agitation.