Perunchithiranar (Tamil nationalist)

This article is about the 20th century Tamil scholar. For other uses, see Perunchithiranar (Sangam poet).

Perunchithiranar
Photograph of Perunchitthiranaar.
Born
Rajamanickam

10 March 1933
Samudram, Salem District, Madras Presidency,
British India
(now Tamil Nadu, India)
Died11 June 1995(1995-06-11) (aged 62)
Madras (now Chennai),
Tamil Nadu, India
Other namesDurai Manickam
Pavalareru Perunchithiranar
Occupation(s)Writer, Poet, Thani Tamil activist.

Duraisamy Rajamanickam (10 March 1933 – 11 June 1995), better known by his pen name Perunchithiranar or popularly as "Pavalareru" Perunchithiranar, was a Pure Tamil[1] scholar, poet, journalist, and political activist from Tamil Nadu, India. In a writing career that spanned over five decades, he composed more than 40 works, including Koyyaakkani (1956) and Kanichaaru (1979). From 1959 onwards, he ran a magazine Theṉmoḻi in collaboration with his mentor G. Devaneya Pavanar (1902-81).

In the socio-political front, Perunchithiranar adhered to Communism, Periyarism, and Tamil nationalism. He was a staunch opponent of caste system, Hindi imposition, and the 1975-77 Indian Emergency. He worked and wrote extensively in favour of independence of Tamil Eelam (from Sri Lanka) and Tamil Nadu (from India).

Perunchithiranar is regarded as one of the foremost Tamil scholars of the twentieth century. His works have been nationalized by the Government of Tamil Nadu. He is also revered by Tamil nationalists as the "Father of Tamil Nationalism". Various organizations and educational foundations are run by Perunchitranar's descendants.

  1. ^ "Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Perunchithiranar's works will be nationalised, says Karunanidhi". The Hindu. 30 September 2008. Archived from the original on 2 October 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2013.