Mr. S. D. Nellai Nedumaran

Mr. S. D. Nellai Nedumaran was born on October 9, 1939, as the twelfth child and only son to Annamalaikani Ammal and Pon Dhiraviyam Nadar in Nalumavadi, Tiruchendhur, Thoothukudi district.

S. D. Nellai Nedumaran

In 1975, a state of emergency was declared in the country. During this time, Mr. Nellai Nedumaran was arrested under the MISA Act and spent over a year in jail. His immersion in the historical study of Tamil Nadu led him to withdraw from active politics. It’s no exaggeration to say that his withdrawal from politics was a significant asset to the Department of History in Tamil Nadu.

Following that, his attention turned to a wide array of subjects, including inscriptions, copperplates, palm-leaf manuscripts, archaeological evidence, and coins. Whenever he heard of an unread inscription or a palm-leaf manuscript, he would promptly set out to see it, regardless of the distance, time, or cost. Likewise, he was a regular attendee at any seminars and conferences related to history and archaeology.

His early research focused on identifying the modern-day descendants of the Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties. This quest led him to connect with archaeologist S. Ramachandran, marking the beginning of his journey to uncover answers. Following this encounter, he went on to author numerous research articles. Some of his early works, such as Sanror Kadum Sanror Nadu (Sanrors' arid lands and country), Sanror Kasu (Sanror cash), Nattar Madai (Nattar in charge of sluices), Munnutruvar (300), and Ezhanutruvar (700), were the results of his independent research efforts. His engagement with various scholars in archaeology garnered significant attention for his articles, which were published in respected journals.

In the fourth volume of Studies in South Indian Coins, there is a reference to the research conducted by Mr. Nellai Nedumaran on Sanar Cash. Mr. N. Kasinathan, in his scholarly work Tamilar Kasu Iyal, included Nedumaran's article titled A Note on Sanar Kasu. This article was a published version of the sixth seminar presented at the International Institute of Tamil Studies in Chennai and was released in 1995. Scholarly articles such as Velir and Vellai Nadar, co-authored by Mr. Nellai Nedumaran and Mr. S. Ramachandran, hold significant historical importance.

In 1996, Mr. Nellai Nedumaran was appointed as an Inscription Specialist in the Hindu Religious Endowments Department, under the Tamil Development and Culture Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. A national seminar titled Tamilil Avanagal (Documents in Tamil) was held at the International Institute of Tamil Studies in August 1998. The seminar aimed to honor scholars who had made significant contributions to Tamil historical documents and epigraphic studies over the years. During the event, special recognition was given to Mr. Nellai Nedumaran. Notably, the International Institute of Tamil Studies conferred upon him the title of Tholiyal Aringar (loosely translated as Archaeological Scholar), acknowledging his outstanding research. Mr. Nellai Nedumaran's contribution to Nadar history remains highly commendable. Through his extensive research and dedication, he unearthed crucial historical documents and inscriptions that shed light on the social, cultural, and political history of the Nadar community.