Singara Velloo formed the Pretoria Tamil Rationalism Society in 1888. By 1940’s many people from Durban and other parts of South Africa joined the Pretoria Tamil Rationalism Society. Anban from Durban was one of its committed members. The regional name of Pretoria had to change to make the organization relevant for South Africa. There was also police harassment from the Apartheid government on the organization.
Singara Velloo and Anban had a meeting in 1948 where it was decided that they change the name to Tamizhar Kazhagam. Singara Velloo change the name from The Pretoria Tamil Rationalism Society to Tamizhar Kazhagam. He asked Anban to launch the Tamizhar Kazhagam in Durban on 13 January 1949 to promote Tamil Humanism and Rationalism. Singara Velloo used the similar name that his friend E.V. Ramasamy used which is Dravidar Kazhagam to promote rationalism. Billy Peters was its first Chairman from 1949 to 1955.
Singara Velloo and Anban recommended Tamizhar Kazhagam change its name to Thirukkural Society due to police harassment from the Apartheid government in 1952. Most of its members took part in the ‘1952 Defiance Campaign’ against Apartheid. In 1956 Tamizhar Kazhagam was officially changed to Thirukkural Society.
The Pretoria Tamil Rationalism Society evolved into the Tamizhar Kazhagam and the Tamizhar Kazhagam evolved into the Thirukkural Society.
Mayville
Founder and leader of Thirukkural Society
On 13 January 1949, Anban went to a friend’s house who invited the people of the Mayville area to a meeting. He delivered a talk on Pongal and appealed to the people to observe the Pongal Festival. Many people came to this family’s house to hear Anban’s message of the Thirukkural. Perumal (Lefty) who supported his mission accompanied him.
This is the humble beginnings of the Tamizhar Kazhagam. A lonely soul’s journey, a voice of reason, a call to return to Tamil ethics and values in the midst of riots, violence, hate, unethical behavior, family disunity and social chaos. The Tamizhar Kazhagam is launched and its mission begins.
Anban spoke to his Tamil teacher in Mayville, Mr. Gopal Nair and Valiathin Chetty about establishing the Tamizhar Kazhagam to propagate Tamil ethics and values. They were supportive and in 1949, Gopal Nair, Valiathin Chetty and Anban founded the Tamizhar Kazhagam. A membership drive was planned.
Gopal Nair then looked for M. Soobramoney in King Rest who was a Tamil teacher at Kings Rest Tamil School. Anban and Gopal Nair spoke to him about the mission of the Tamizhar Kazhagam. Later Gopal Nair also taught at this school as well. Anban also spoke to Mr. Soothinathan who was also one of the students of Gopal Nair about the role the Tamizhar Kazhagam can play in our community.
Anban was the initiator and founder member of the Tamizhar Kazhagam in 1949. He was a simple humble man who valued the implementation of ideas and noble goals rather than positions and titles within an organisation.
Anban together with Billy Peters (Perumal), Mr. Gopal Nair, Mr. M. Subramoney, Mr. Sothinathan, Mrs. Sothinathan and Singara Velloo formed the organizing committee of the Tamizhar Kazhagam in 1949. Billy Peters was its first Chairman from 1949 to 1955.
Singara Velloo and Anban recommended Tamizhar Kazhagam change its name to Thirukkural Society due to police harassment from the Apartheid government in 1952.
In 1950 the Communist Party of South Africa was banned. This affected the Thirukkural Society as most of its leaders belong to the Communist Party.
Most of its members took part in the ‘1952 Defiance Campaign’ against Apartheid. Billy Peters was arrested many times and at other times he was on the run or hiding from the Apartheid police. In 1956 Tamizhar Kazhagam was officially changed to Thirukkural Society. It was popularly also known as the Tamil Ulagalam. The Pretoria Tamil Rationalism Society evolved into the Tamizhar Kazhagam and the Tamizhar Kazhagam evolved into the Thirukkural Society.
Dr Goonam, a Human Rights and anti-apartheid activist supported the Thirukkural Society. She appreciated its rationalist and humanist teachings. She was close friends with Billy Peters who was an important anti-apartheid activist.
Anban organized a trip with Mr. Subramoney, Mr. Sothinathan, Valiathin Chetty and Billy Peters to visit Singara Velloo in Pretoria. They went to Singara Velloo to get a clear vision for the Thirukkural organisation and the Tamil philosophy. Singara Velloo explained the principles of the Thirukkural and Tamil Rationalism and Humanism to them.
Mr. M. Subramoney was elected the second Chairman in 1956 and the vice Chairman was Mr. Sothinathan and Anban was its Secretary. Anban was the first Secretary of the Thirukkural Society. He served the Thirukkural Society without remuneration. He did this for the upliftment of the Tamil culture and ethics. Later Mr. Sothinathan became the Chairman after Mr. M. Subramoney got very ill and Anban continued as its Secretary. The Thirukkural Society offices later moved to Unit 2, Chatsworth under the chairmanship of Mr. Sothinanthan. On 31 May 1984, Mr. Sothinathan passed away. Anban then became the Chairman of the Thirukkural society. The Headquarters of the Thirukkural Society then moved to Unit 7, Chatsworth. Anban continued to be the Chairman till he passed away in 2013. In 2011, Anban handed over the key projects and mission of the Thirukkural Society to T. Moodali to continue.
Greeting in Tamil and promoting Tamil language
The Thirukkural Society was also responsible for bringing the use of the greeting Vanakkam to South Africa. They would receive a Tamil newspaper from India called Thamizhan Nadu Newspaper and a very Tamil conscious author, K.A.P. Visvanathan (Muththamizh Kavalar) used to write all the equivalent of Sanskrit words in Tamil. From this newspaper, the members in the Thirukkural Society picked up most of the pure Tamil words such as Aandu, Magazhchchi and others. The pure Tamil word for greeting is Vanakkam. Namaskaram was replaced with Vanakkam. They began to practice and implement these words which caused a lot of disgruntleness in the beginning as Sanskrit priests objected to changing the use of Namaskaram to Vanakkam.
It was only after the great Tamil Nadu leader C.N. Annathurai introduced Vanakkam in Tamil Nadu and the films started introducing this word in the screen credits that people in South Africa began to accept it more freely. It was due to this that the Tamil community in South Africa began to realize how advanced the Thirukkural Society actually was. The word Vanakkam brought greater respect for their organization and the people had a high regard for the Thirukkural society.
Annathurai did not believe in Brahman rituals and superstition. He brought reformation to the Tamil people. Annathurai took the Thirukkural to USA and promoted it there.
The Thirukkural Society followed the teachings of Periyar EVR Ramsamy, C.N. Annathurai, Devan Pavanar, K.A.P. Visvanathan and Kalaigar Karunanithi. The members of the Thirukkural Society were reading books by these authors and as well as Indian stories, dialogues and newspapers like Mursoli and others.
In 1950 the Thirukkural Society had chosen K.A. P. Visvanathan as a patron from Tamil Nadu for its society.
From 1950 The Thirukkural Society would receive books from Tamil Nadu such as Pasum Tamil 1,2,3,4 Readers, Padam, Athichuvadi, Tamil readers and magazines as well as the Thirukkural.
The Thirukkural society member’s passion was all about Tamil and they dedicated their life to it. They gathered all the things that were needed for the Thirukkural Society’s success.
Thirukkural society was informed that Dr Avai Nadarasan spoke English very well. They wanted to bring him over to South Africa to lecture in the Universities. They motivated for this at the Tamil Federation meetings and the MTSS meetings. MTSS brought Dr Avai Nadarasan to South Africa. He went around lecturing on Tamil language and culture.
Thirukkural Society strove to get rid of Sanskrit influence on Tamil people by replacing Namaskaram to Vanakam and by ending Sanskrit rituals.
Mr. M. Subramoney opened a Bookseller Shop in 1953 dealing in Tamil books, school books and stationery. His bookshop at 117c Victoria Street and later, a record and bookshop was opened at 83 Victoria Street. His intention of the Read Well Book Centre at 83 Victoria Street was not to make profits but rather to propagate Tamil literature. This shop also served as a venue for Tamil and Thirukkural classes in the evenings. He went 5 times to India to buy books for the Bookseller Shop.
Promoting Simplified Tamil Ceremonies
Anban and Mr. M. Subramoney worked on a project to simplify Tamil rituals and ceremonies for the benefit of the Thirukkural Society members and the Tamil community. They also wanted Tamils to use original Tamil names that has good meaning. A name provides identity and if that identity is lost then the Thirukkural lifestyle is lost as well. This project was a success for the Thirukkural society when the books were published.
Mr. M. Subramoney as the Chairman of the Thirukkural Society finally published and launched the following books namely: Read and Write Tamil through English, Tamil Marriages Simplified and Book of Tamil Names and Meanings. The owners of Goodwill Supply Store in Clairwood generously sponsored the publication of these books.
The Thirukkural Society decided that many Tamil people’s practices in South Africa was not of Tamil origin and needed reformation. They campaigned for simplified marriages, death ceremonies and memorial services.
The Thirukkural Society simplified the marriage and death ceremonies of Tamils and removed superstitious and ritualistic practices. They rejected the caste system and sectarianism. They promoted ceremonies that espoused the principles of the Thirukkural.
False beliefs and priest’s corruptions were condemned. Mr. Subramoney performed almost fifty wedding ceremonies.
The Thirukkural Society members were able to make use of every opportunity to lecture about the Tamil culture and language at memorial ceremonies and weddings. They would speak on the ignorance of some ritualistic beliefs as well as the relevance of Tamil culture.
Anban conducted many Tamil Weddings, Name giving functions, Engagements and other ceremonies.
Promoting Tamil Ethics and Values
Thirukkural Society members delivered many emotional speeches and lectures based on the works of many great Tamil authors, poets, philosophers and reformists. This gave members so much enthusiasm to share this knowledge at every opportunity. They would often do this at ceremonies to educate the community on the great and ancient culture followed by Tamils. They made people understand this and quoted the Thirukkural verses appropriate to the occasion.
The Tamil ethics have such beautiful words and the literature has great meaning and they would express this to the audience. They passed on the knowledge of the Thirukkural and the language. Members believed that ethical culture are communicated and passed throughout generations by the family. The richness in our culture is in the Thirukkural. The Thirukkural Society members built up their knowledge by their love for reading. When Mr Sothinathan was Chairman his motto was: ‘By reading you gain knowledge’.
The Thirukkural Society advocated the Thirukkural as a code of conduct for human life. Its members lectured on the three sections of the Thirukkural namely Aram (Virtue), Porul (Politics) and Inbam (Love) which provides for an ideal and righteous way of life. They emphasized that Tamil philosophy and culture abounds in greatness.
At that time as is in every generation, some people are more caught up in gambling, horse racing, alcohol abuse, parties, illicit sex, dancing, discos, etc. The Thirukkural Society motivated people to become more creative in Thirukkural propagation work. The focus was on ethical activities. The Thirukkural Society members call to the youth was to take a keen interest in Tamil Philosophy and work towards its propagation. They promoted the Tamil language and culture. They spread throughout South Africa the two main Tamil festivals which is Pongol and Valluvar Day.
Promoting Pongal Festival and Valluvar Day
Anban as the secretary of the Thirukkural Society arranged many projects and tasks to be implemented.
Anban’s valuable contribution to the growth and preservation of Tamil culture in South Africa is outstanding. He was involved in many cultural activities. He actively promoted the Pongal festival and Valluvar Day every year.
The meaning of Pongal Festival is to give thanks for the abundance of the ‘Harvest’. Harvest is what we received through nature, emotionally, physically and even financially.
The Thirukkural Society held the Pongal Festival annually.
The Pongal that was held in 1975 on a vacant ground in Unit 7, Chatsworth (713 Grounds) was done elaborately. They used the tent of the grounds that would normally show Tamil films. They had a speaker every night at the tent that highlighted the importance of Pongal to the community.
A Float Procession was held in the 740 Grounds. This was a vacant plot of land. The Thirukkural Society had the symbols of the rising sun, clay pot, milk and sugar cane. In the Float Procession was a Kolatam dance.
The Thirukkural Society held lectures in various places to make people aware of the Pongal festival and Valluvar Day. The Thirukkural society cultural activities were the Pongal festival, Valluvar Day, Kollatam, acting, village dance by using Thirukkural verses. Pongal festival was propagated with Thirukkural songs.
Three months prior to Pongal he approached artists, singers, dancers, dramatists. King Asoka drama was done by the children. He also wrote the story of Kanagie and Kovil drama. He got the music band. He invited dignitaries to attend. The Thirukkural Society organised all festivals under its banner until December 1989.
Promoting Tamil Music
The Thirukkural Society formed the Kalayvanin band in 1959 when Mr. M. Subramoney was Chairman. It used the name of the film actor, N.S. Krishnan as its patron. It propagated music and dance.
Bringing Social Reform Movies
There were no Tamil films being shown in theatres. In 1953, Sivaji Ganesan’s first film Parasakthi was being released in Tamil Nadu. Annathurai wrote the movie. Friends of Thirukkural society in Tamil Nadu sent twelve long play records of the film’s dialogue. They also sent Periyar E.V. Ramasamy’s books.
The members of the Thirukkural Society played the records over and over until they finally learnt the entire dialogue of the film. They asked the Thirukkural Society to bring the complete film to South Africa.
The Thirukkural Society approached the cinema managers to bring films from India. They spoke to the manager of Naaz cinema to arrange for the movie Parasakthi to be brought to South Africa. The members of the Thirukkural Society were invited to the first preview show at Naaz cinema. Parasakthi film screen opened with Vannakam.
During the screening there was so much excitement and loud appreciation from the Thirukkural Society members. This surprised the owner of how they had heard and learnt the entire dialogue of the film.
Thereafter, Thirukkural society maintained a close relationship with the cinema owners, helping to select films and translate the dialogues into English for the Graphic Newspaper.
The Thirukkural society also arranged for cinemas to bring Ratha Kaneer movie which has social meaning to South Africa. The Thirukkural society translated the dialogues into English. Many more films were brought over hereafter such as Palum Palupamam.
Mr. Anban would sit with Mr. Sothinathan and his brothers and others till midnight enjoying themselves speaking in Tamil. He would choose songs according to their voices for them to sing. The members of the Thirukkural Society watched the Tamil film screenings which were held only once in six months and afterwards they would re-enact the entire film, taking turns singing, dancing and reciting the dialogue. Such was their enthusiasm to participate in the Tamil arts.
In 1962 the Apartheid’s Group Areas Act forced Thirukkural Society members to move to Chatsworth. The Tamil community were scattered in different areas and this meant starting fresh in a new home. There were no Tamil schools in Chatsworth.
Chatsworth
1969
Anban started holding Tamil classes in his home in Unit 7, Chatsworth as there were no Tamil schools in the area.
The Thirukkural Society Headquarters moved to Mr. Sothinathan’s house in Unit 2, Chatsworth. Thirukkural Society meeting days was on Tuesdays in Unit 2 which finished late. Anban would walk all the way from Unit 7 to Unit 2 which was about 10km.
The Chairman Mr Sothinanthan said Thirukkural Society membership was large and the move to Chatsworth reduced its members. Anban suggested that recruitment be done at regular sessions. Each member must get one member enrolled each meeting.
Participating in Eisteddfods
The Thirukkural Society used K.A.P. Visvanathan’s books such as Thamizh Selvan to teach children and enter them in eisteddfods. They trained and entered the children in eisteddfods using all their spare time without any public funding. K.A.P. Visvanathan’s books dialogue was very difficult and full of ethics and it was not easy to train children who did not speak Tamil. The teaching and practice was extensive and went on for many days until 9pm or 10pm at night to get it perfect. All the hard work paid off in 1975 when their school, the Anbuvazhi Thamizh Paadasaalai bagged 14 trophies and certificates and appeared on the front page of the Graphic Newspaper. This great achievement gained a popular name for the Thirukkural Society in the Tamil community. They also taught children the Thirukkural to be performed at Eisteddfords.
Thirukkural classes
In 1976, Anban conducted the Thirukkural classes in a monumental way in the community in the midst of violent uprisings, destruction and chaos in South Africa.
Thiruvalluvar in 31 BC gave humanity the universal message called the Thirukkural, which is a guide on ethics and a value system for all people. The Thirukkural is also known as the Tamil Marai. With this wealth of wisdom available in the Tamil cultural ethical texts it is unwise to ignore them, especially when they hold the solutions to many problems of the world. This message is little known to Tamils living in South Africa and abroad. Anban gave lectures on the Thirukkural at many functions and at local halls and schools. He recited the whole Thirukkural from his memory. In all his public speaking he will quote Thirukkural. During an open public challenge about his commitment to the Thirukkural and Tamil he told the people: ‘I would give my blood for Tamil’
Billy Peters was an active member of the Thirukkural Society and made an immense contribution to promoting Tamil Ethics and Values. He suggested that Thirukkural Society members be trained to lecture the Thirukkural. Billy Peters also proposed that there be Public Seminars on the Kural and Anban be tasked with that project.
Anban suggested all meetings to be opened with 2 couplets from the Kural. Thereafter when meetings were held 2 couplets from the Kural were read.
Thirukkural Tent Campaigns
Billy Peters initiated the Tent Campaign of the Thirukkural Society in South Africa. The purpose of each tent campaign was to popularize the Thirukkural recitation. A member of the Thirukkural Society would recite it in Tamil and another member would translate and recite it in English. The idea was to translate it into all indigenous languages so that its message is accessible to all people. At a Tent Campaign in Unit 2, Chatsworth, Mr. Soothinathan would recite the Thirukkural in Tamil and Billy Peters would translate it into English for the audience. Thousands of people flocked to hear the Thirukkural recitations.
Thirukkural Seminars Project
Propogation of the Kural was undertaken through weekly Thirukkural Classes and Regular Seminars.
Anban’s plan was in 2 phases:
Phase1: Anban was in charge of educating the members in the Thirukkural. Members after being trained wrote a test on the Kural.
There was Friday Classes at Truro School. It began with Tamil classes first.
Phase 2: Public Seminars on the Kural.
In this phase Anban will speak on the couplet a month.
Anban would take a chapter from Kural e.g. (hospitality). His plan is to invite people to the Sungum Hall and instil the idea of home hospitality.
Fairhaven School was used for Kural lectures.
A Symposium was held in May 1978. Anban sent out 50 invitations.
Publishing in Mainstream media
Billy Peters spoke to the editors of the Graphic and Sunday Times newspapers to arrange to insert a Kural Quote each week to be published. He was instrumental in getting the Newspapers to promote Thirukkural.
Thereafter Anban sent to the Graphic and Sunday Times newspapers to print ‘Couplet-a-week’ Kural messages. This was a big success as it drew a wider audience to follow the Thirukkural.
He arranged for the translation of Tamil ethical books for the Graphic Newspaper to print in English. He also arranged for movie scripts translations for the Graphic Newspaper.
Pongal gets recognition from India
In the early years, Pongal festival was held in tent at R.K. Khan hospital car park, which is now Gateway Clinic. The Thirukkural Society members cleared the bush and put up a tent. Food was served and drama and lectures held. This was how committed the members were.
On 16 January 1977, Pongal was held in a grand way at Sungam Hall in Unit 3, Chatsworth.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr Karunandhi sent a message of support and appreciation of the Thirukkural Society. Anban’s contribution gets international recognition.
The IMTC World Tamil Conference sent an invitation to Thirukkural Society on 16 October 1977 to participate and open a South African branch.
‘Saamraat Asokan’ drama gets recognised by media
The Thirukkural Society’s drama gets recognized by media.
The Graphic newspaper ran an article on 8 February 1980 as follows: “M. Anban the producer of ‘Saamraat Asokan’ – a story based on the life of ‘Asoka, The Great’. ‘The fourth play, ‘Saamraat Asokan’ will be produced by noted Tamil scholar, M. Anban.”
Reviving of Thirukkural Society
1984
In 1984 Anban becomes the Chairman of the Thirukkural society. Thirukkural Society Headquarters moves to Road 729, Chatsworth, Durban, 4092.
On 4 August 1985, Anban held a meeting at the Saiva Sithantha Sungam to revive the Thirukkural Society.
Again, in 22 February 1996, He initiated and drew up the agenda with the subject: ‘REVIVING OF THIRUKKURAL SOCIETY’
Solving the Tamil Identity crisis
On 19 March 1996, Anban solves the Tamil identity crisis when he proclaims:
‘I am a Tamil. I come from a different breed and a different stable. I don’t belong to the flock that goes into the dirty dip.’
‘I am a “Kuralite”. Nothing will shift me from this stand. I am strong. I am a strong fighter of the Tamil cause.’
The Thirukkural Society key days are:
1. Pongal – New Year’s Day
2. Valluvar Day
3. Remberance Day
4. Thirukkural Day
5. Thirukkural classes
Thirukkural Society Mission
1. Get all Tamil addresses and names
2. Have small seminars
3. Tamil Forum and discussions
4. Adult classes in Tamil
5. Nursery schools from age of 4
6. Build links with other organisations
7. Use Video Tapes. Tamil Films
8. Issue small Bulletin. Inform activities
9. Introduce mass singing
10. Observe Day of our Great Men and Woman (Thiruvalluvar and others)
Thirukkural Society Strategic Plan
To promote the Tamil language the following must be done:
1. We must concentrate on the younger generation.
2. Invite children from each Tamil school – state and private
3. Spend a Day with them. Give them a treat and talk to them about our language and culture (not religion)
4. a) Print ‘T’ Shirts
b) Car stickers
c) Get young musicians
Thirukkural Society Tamil Transliteration project
Anban looked at Alscript DTP Software from Madras and Kamban Word Processor to bring in a new Tamil Transliteration for the Western English speaking Tamils.
Thirukkural Society Correspondence
Anban wrote letters to people across the world promoting the message of the Thirukkural and the Tamil ethics and value system.
He wrote letters to USA, South America, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Fiji, UAE (Dubai), India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Malayasia, Reunion, Mauritius and others.
He communicated with more than 15 countries where Tamils live to build a bridge to bring the Tamil people together.
On 12 December 1996, World Peace Organisation (UK) with confidence authorized Anban to establish World Peace Organization branch in South Africa. Dr Soma had informed WPO about Anban’s profile and requested that he be nominated for the task. The letter recognizes Anban’s interest to promote peace and create a better society in South Africa. He was nominated to create a peace organization working towards non-violence.
On 15 April 2009, Anban received a letter from the CENTRE FOR INQUIRY TRANSNATIONAL from New York, USA. Thomas Flynn, Secretary of the Corporation, mentions to Anban that the Conference they held was a success bringing together humanist activists from all nations of the world to United States. This will contribute to the success of humanism.
Thirukkural Society Communications
Anban went to Radio Lotus to give talks.
He wrote articles to the newspapers on the Remmington Typewriter. He wrote articles on Pongal, Valluvar Day and the Thirukkural. He wrote to propagate Tamil culture, ethics, values and language
The Newspapers such as POST, Daily News, Mercury, Sunday Tribune, Sunday Times, Chatsworth Sun published his articles.
He also wrote articles in Tamil for Newspapers.
Anban in his messages would write some of his famous quotes such as:
‘If you want to succeed tomorrow, you must begin today.’
‘Reputation is only a shadow. Character is the right thing.’
‘I am Tamil. My mother tongue is Tamil. My Book of Life is the Thirukkural’
‘Those who live for Tamil never die’
Thirukkural Society Local propagation
Anban in the Thirukkural Society travelled to different areas in South Africa and lectured on the Thirukkural text.
Anban taught in Tongaat and Districts Hindu Temples Association, Reservoir Hills, Pietermaritzburg and he travelled the length and breath of North Coast and South Coast of Natal. In Gauteng he taught at Lenasia, Laudium and Pretoria.
In September 1995, He addressed the people who attended the Saivite Conference at MTSS. His topic was the ‘Thirukkural’. He delivered many lectures at many functions.
Thirukkural Society International propagation
Anban gave a talk in Malaysia Radio Station on the Thirukkural.
He suffered 3 hearts attacks as he flew to Malaysia and to New Zealand. He was old but still he did his last overseas tour to preach the message of Thirukkural, Tamil ethics and values.
Thirukkural Society’s Future
Just before Anban passed away, he had a wish that Tamil and the Thirukkural lifestyle must not die. He wanted the Thirukkural Society as an organization to continue and have a major impact in countries around the world. He handed over this vision and mission to T. Moodali to continue. He asked T. Moodali to write and print a simplified Thirukkural which he edited and provided meanings for and Tamil transliteration. He wanted a book on the biography of great leaders to be written so that their contribution to Tamil Culture is remembered. He wanted to start an organization that purely promoted the Thirukkural lifestyle. He was busy arranging a meeting with one of his close friends and T. Moodali to discuss this and implement it. But sadly, he was very weak and frail and passed away before his vision could materialize.
Anban leaves behind a great legacy and heritage for the next generation to continue. As the Chairperson of the Thirukkural Society, he leaves behind a powerful organization with a rich history for the Tamils of the world to continue.