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Karanthai Tamil Sangam

Events

Origin

After the establishment of First, Second and Tamil Sangams, the fourth Tamil Sangam was Started in Madurai in 1901. At the time of tenth Annual Session of Madurai Tamil Sangam, in 1911 “Karanthai Tamil Sangam” was Started as the “fifth Tamil Sangam” with three aims Tamil Service & Progress.

Aims of the Karanthai Tamil Sangam

  • To raise the status of Tamil & Tamilans.
  • To create friendly Co-operative relationship among the members of the Sangam.
  • To defend Tamilan’s Charity Fund Establishments.
  • To Safeguard the interest of members, health, discipline, morality, social status and educational status etc..
  • To improve Tamilar’s economic Technical developments.
  • To create the various branches of Tamil Sangam to up hold the above said aims.

Steps to be taken for falfilling Sangam ideals:

  • Conduct debates and lectures with the help of eminent scholars.
  • Establish reading rooms and libraries in and around Thanjavur.
  • Conduct tuition classes with proper teaching personnel.
  • Publish brochures, pamphlets, books, and magazines.
  • Perform translation works in the fields of Tamil research, Tamil civilization, culture, tradition, grammar, and literary works from foreign languages to Tamil.
  • Establish industrial training institutes, polytechnics, engineering colleges, law colleges, colleges of education, teacher training institutes, and physical education colleges.
  • Facilitate indoor and outdoor games.
  • Start a college for Tamil and eventually establish a Tamil University.
  • Inculcate simplicity, purity, broad-mindedness, and good conduct among students.
  • Organize charitable educational institutions, asylums, orphanages, shelters for the underprivileged, and medical centers for the betterment of Tamilans.
  • Amalgamate various branches of educational institutions with the mother institution.
  • Safeguard the interests of various trust properties.
  • Undertake activities to fulfill the aims and objectives of Tamil Sangam through conferences and public meetings.

Planned Activities

Most Repected Sentamil Patron Tamizhavel T.V. Umamaheswaranar was the founder of Karanthai Tamil Sangam. The noble services sendered by him are as follows:-

  • During its early period, Tamil and Sanskrit were blended, and speaking in pure Tamil was considered uncultured.
  • Thanks to the stupendous and untiring efforts of Karanthai Tamil Sangam, speaking in pure Tamil was encouraged.
  • Old archaic Sanskrit words pke "Srimaan," "Srimatee," "Vivhaga," and "Subha Mugoortha Pathrika" were replaced with apt Tamil words such as "Thiru," "Thirumathi," and "Thiruvmana Azhaipithal."
  • The most valuable service rendered by Karanthai Tamil Sangam was introducing Thiru Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai’s *"Neerasum Kadaludutha"* as Tamil Thaai Vazhthu. Later, Tamil Nadu’s former Chief Minister Perarignar Anna recognized it as the Government-approved Tamil Thaai Vazhthu.
  • Due to the relentless service of Karanthai Tamil Sangam, the Thiruvaiyaru Government College included Tamil, alongside Sanskrit, in its curriculum.
  • In 1919, for the first time, a significant resolution was passed to make Tamil the *"Uyarthai Semmozhi"* (classical language), emphasizing its ancient heritage, pterary richness, and cultural significance.
  • A milestone resolution was passed to create a separate university dedicated exclusively to Tamil in Thanjavur.
  • In 1937, Karanthai Tamil Sangam vehemently opposed the compulsory introduction of Hindi as a subject in educational institutions.
  • When Tamizhavel Umamaheswaranar was the president of Taluk Tamil Kazhagam, the total number of primary schools was only 170.

The History of Tamil Sangam - Elegancy of Tamil

Our Tamil language has unique qualities, namely antiquity, harmony, clarity, restraint, serenity, idealism, universality, reason, order, and humanism.

In 1919, Karanthai Tamil Sangam passed the historic resolution that Tamil should be made one of the “Uyarthani Semmozhi languages” and sent it to the central government of India. Following this, a series of meetings were conducted with the help of Tamil scholars from all over India. To emphasize these resolutions, Karanthai Tamil Sangam passed another resolution on 27.02.2003 and sent it to the central government. To give more strength to the resolution, a massive rally was organized under the auspices of Karanthai Tamil Sangam, with participants from all parts of Tamil Nadu.

A significant conference was held on 21.12.2003 to reiterate the demand. Renowned Tamil scholars, saints, and leaders of various political parties participated in this first Tamil conference, emphasizing Tamil as one of the “Uyarthani Semmozhi.”

Additionally, Karanthai Tamil Sangam collected the signatures of one crore people from all over Tamil Nadu. These relentless activities led the central government to officially proclaim Tamil as one of the “Uyarthani Semmozhi” languages.

Educational Institutions Under the Shade of Karanthai Tamil Sangam

T.V. Radha Krishna Pillai Primary School:

  • Started in 1916 as a foundation for primary education.

Umamaheswaranar Middle School:

  • Founded in 1941 to recognize 30 years of selfless and unique service by Thamizhavel Umamaheswaranar.
  • Elevated to the status of High School in 1950 and further upgraded to Higher Secondary School in 1978.

Thamizhavel Uma Maheswaranar Arts College:

  • Started as the Karanthai Pulavar Kalloori in 1938 due to the tireless efforts of Uma Maheswaranar.
  • Later converted into an Arts College to provide broader access to education for the needy, poor, and downtrodden in and around Karanthai.

T.S. Pallanisamy Pillai Technical Training Centre:

  • Established in 1992 to provide technical education alongside arts and science education.

Uma Maheswaranar Teacher Training Institute:

  • Founded in the 2004–2005 academic year to offer teacher training to boys and girls with proper recognition.

Uma Maheswaranar College of Education:

  • Started in 2005 under the auspices of Bharathidasan University with both central and state recognition.

Targets Achieved by Karanthai Tamil Sangam

Introduction and Practice of Pure Tamil in All Activities:

  • People’s tendency to speak in English as a mark of honor was replaced with speaking pure Tamil.
  • This change was recognized as “Karanthai Naadai” by Tamil scholars.

Introduction of Tamil Thaai Vazhthu:

  • For the first time, Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai’s “Neerasum Kadaludutha” was introduced in all celebrations of Karanthai Tamil Sangam.
  • Later, the Tamil Nadu government accepted this practice and issued a government order mandating the song at the beginning of all government functions.

Use of Pure Tamil in Marriage Invitations:

  • Karanthai Tamil Sangam pioneered the introduction of words like Thiru, Thiruvallar, Thirumathi, Selvan, Srimaan, Chirangivi, and Sowbhagyavathi in marriage invitations.

Establishment of Tamil University in Thanjavur:

  • The resolution passed in 1925 by Karanthai Tamil Sangam to create a Tamil University in Thanjavur was realized later.

Proclamation of Tamil as “Uyarthani Semmozhi” (Classical Language):

  • The first step to persuade the central government was taken by Karanthai Tamil Sangam.
  • It became fruitful on 12.10.2004 when Tamil was officially recognized as a “Uyarthani Semmozhi.”

Recognition of Thamizhavel T.V. Umamaheswaranar:

  • In recognition of his untiring efforts for Tamil, the Government of India released a stamp on 18.02.2006 to honor him.

Publication of “Paranas” by Tamil Nadu Government:

  • During the 8th Tamil Conference in 1995, Ex-Chief Minister Hon. J. Jayalalitha released the book “Paranas,” appreciating the memorable services of Karanthai Tamil Sangam.

Financial Support by Tamil Nadu Government:

  • During the 8th Tamil Conference, the then Chief Minister Hon. J. Jayalalitha issued a cheque for ₹45 lakhs to support the continued services of Karanthai Tamil Sangam.

Centenary Celebration of Thamizhavel T.V. Umamaheswaranar:

  • The Tamil Nadu government celebrated this event as a government function, recognizing his relentless service to Tamil.

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