Sivanthi Adityanar, who was hailed as an Indian media baron during his lifetime, was the Chairman and MD of Daily Thanthi and Maalaimalar group. Sivanthi Adithanar was a great educationist, an industrialist and a philanthropist.

He is popularly referred to as "Chinna Ayya" as a mark of respect by the people and employees of the Thanthi group ever since. He was also conferred with 'Padma Shri' by the Government of India, in 2008.

In order to celebrate the glory of the great philanthropist, a manipandam was erected in his native, Thiruchendur. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy, on February 22, this year, inaugurated the memorial, constructed in Tiruchendur, at a cost of Rs 1.34 crore. The memorial houses a life-size bronze statue of Dr B Sivanthi Adithanar and also has a library of memorabilia and books.

Earlier, the Minister for Information and Publicity, Kadambur Raju, had announced that the birth anniversary of Dr B Sivanthi Adithanar will be observed as a government function, henceforth.

Accordingly, various politicos and Government officials paid a visit to the Manimandapam, situated in Veerapandiyanpattinam of Thiruchendur district, today, in order to pay respects to the leader, on his 85th birth anniversary.

Thoothukudi District Collector Sandeep Nanduri presided over the function. Minister Kadambur Raju paid homage by garlanding the statue in the Manimandapam. MLAs Shanmuganathan, Chinnappan, Inbathurai,  Former District Secretary Arumuga Nair, Thiruchendur Joint Collector Tanapriya, District Superintendent of Police Jayakumar and many more were present in the event.

In a statement issued today, Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy said, “On the birthday of Padmasree Dr. B. Sivanthi Adithanar, I proudly recall his hard work and achievements. Padmasree Dr. B. Sivanthi also won pinnacle in the fields of journalism, sports, education and industry. ”

Following this, Deputy Chief Minister O.Panneer Selvam also issued a statement saying, “B.Sivanthi Adithanar has achieved a lot in sports, education and industry. He has raised India's pride on the world stage, in the field of sports. He was also responsible for inculcating the habit of reading newspapers and journals, among the public, by providing quality news."