Maraimalai Adigal

August 17, 2007

A commemorative postage stamp on Maraimalai Adigal, father of Pure Tamil Movement, founder of Saivite institution, “Podhunilaik Kazhagam“ :

Issued by India

Issued on Aug 17, 2007

Issued for : The Department of Posts is proud to release a commemorative postage stamp on Maraimalai Adigal.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolor

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million

Printing Process : Wet–Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : N. C. Vedhachalam Pillai

Born on Jul 15, 1876 at Nagapattinam, Madras Presidency, British India

Died on Sep 15, 1950 at Madras, Madras State, India

About :

Maraimalai Adigal was born on 15.07.1876 to Chokkanatha Pillai and Chinnammaiyar at Kadambadi village (Nagapattinam). He had his school education at Weslian Mission School, Nagapattinam. When he was in VI standard, his father died. His mother ensured that he continues his studies. However, family circumstances and his quest for Tamil Literature forced him to discontinue the formal education beyond IX standard.
Under the guidance of Shri Narayanasamy Pillai, Maraimalai Adigal studied Tamil literature like Tirukkural and many religious scriptures and books. He got married at the age of 17.
By the age of 21 he had learnt by heart Tamil books published at that time. He wanted to popularize speaking Tamil without mixing words of other languages. At the young age itself he began to write articles on religious literature. He also became a very effective orator.
Maraimalai Adigal worked as Tamil Lecturer at Madras Christian College for 13 years. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the college producing many stalwarts of Tamil language and literature. The new pattern of education introduced by Madras University making English as compulsory medium and Tamil as optional, forced him to quit. He later on became an ascetic and was deeply influenced by the teaching of “Vadalur Ramalinga Adigal”.
He toured extensively in Tamil Nadu advocating the ‘Saivate’ faith while working for the development of Tamil literature. Simultaneously he continued Tamil research work also. He traveled to many places in India and abroad.
Maraimalai Adigal, started a press at Pallavaram (Chennai). He preserved many valuable Tamil texts which he gave as treasure to the people. He decided the birth of Tamil year in 31 B.C., named as ‘Tiruvalluvar year’ which is now followed as Tamil year.
He fought against the casteism rooted in the state and propagated his ideas through his writings and speeches.
Maraimalai Adigal died on 15.09.1950.
Text : Based on material provided by the proponent.