Dr. S. Thamarai Pandian

Dr. S. Thamarai Pandian, a distinguished Tamil manuscriptologist, was born on September 4, 1976, to V. Subramanian Nadar and S. Seetha Lakshmi. His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to Tamil language and literature.

S. Thamarai Pandian

Mr. Thamarai Pandian graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Tamil from S.T. Hindu college, Nagercoil, in 1999. He went on to complete his Master of Arts in Tamil from Kerala University in 2001, having already passed the UGC NET examinations in December 2000. He earned his Ph.D. in Tamil from Kerala University, Trivandrum, in June 2007, cementing his expertise in the field.

His teaching career began in 2006 when he joined P.G.P College of Arts and Science, Namakkal, as an Assistant Professor of Tamil. In 2007, he transitioned to Dr. N.G.P Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, before returning to P.G.P College of Arts and Science in 2009 to continue his role as an Assistant Professor.

In 2013, Mr. Thamarai Pandian joined the International Institute of Tamil Studies as an Assistant Professor of Tamil. Since 2013, he has been dedicated to teaching students the art of reading and publishing ancient palm-leaf manuscripts. These palm-leaf manuscripts were vital for ancient Tamils in preserving historical records.

Mr. Thamarai Pandian has deciphered and published over 54 palm-leaf manuscripts. He has written and published 30 books on copper plate documents and 26 books covering history, Tamil poetry, and palm-leaf manuscripts. As an academic mentor, he has guided 12 students to complete their Ph.D. and 26 students to earn their M.Phil degrees. Mr. Thamarai Pandian actively contributes to curriculum development for the Archaeology Department at Tamil Nadu Open University and continues to develop Tamil curricula for Periyar University and four autonomous colleges.

The Government of Sri Lanka invited him to train students in the skill of deciphering palm-leaf manuscripts. Currently, he serves as the Head and Chief Coordinator of a department under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Tamil Nadu Government, overseeing the identification, preservation, and publication of inscriptions and palm-leaf manuscripts.

Mr. Thamarai Pandian has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to Tamil literature and manuscriptology through numerous prestigious awards. In 2010, he was honored with the Thiruvalluvar Award by the Kaviarasar Kalai Tamil Sangam in Namakkal, the Kavimurasu Award by the Kaviarasi Mitra Foundation in Chidambaram, and the Tamil Thenral Award by the Tamil Nadu Thiruvalluvar Tamil Art Literary Society in Chennai. In 2012, he received the Nal Aasan Award from the Kurinji Kapilar Tamil Sangam in Namakkal and the Isaki Award from the Kavya Foundation in Chennai.

He was honored with the N. Vanamamalai Award in 2015, by the Kurinji Kapilar Tamil Sangam for his exceptional contributions to the field of manuscriptology. In 2019, he was presented with the Ezhuthani Award and the Mozhi Unarvaalar Award by the Ezhuthani Tamil Art Literary Society in Chennai. In 2020, he received the Pavender Bharathidasan Award from the New Tamil Sangam and the Honorary Professor Award from the Kurinji Kapilar Tamil Sangam.

Mr. Thamarai Pandian’s contributions to Tamil literature and manuscriptology have made him a respected figure in his field, inspiring students and researchers alike in the preservation and study of Tamil heritage.