Date:29/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/29/stories/2006102913760200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Sanjeevi's contributions to Tamil hailed

Staff Reporter

80th birth anniversary of the professor commemorated

CHENNAI: Yesteryear students of N. Sanjeevi gathered at Madras University on Friday to commemorate his contributions to the development of Tamil literature.

Despite the heavy downpour, the hall on the university's Marina campus was filled with Sanjeevi's former students and colleagues. An anthology of his Tamil literary essays titled `Katturai Kalangiyam', compiled by S. Shanmugasundaram, was released.

The function was organised to commemorate the 80th birth anniversary of the professor, who served for 27 years in the university's Tamil Literature Department as professor and head of the department.

Releasing the book, M. Naganathan, Vice-Chairman, State Planning Commission, shared his experiences as Sanjeevi's student at Madras University.

Marvelling at the professor's versatility and proficiency in English, he said that Sanjeevi also wrote travelogues after his visit to China and East Germany apart from several books on Tamil literature.

S. Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor of Madras University, said that Sanjeevi had authored about 350 research essays and 17 books in Tamil literature.

He was the best example for the rapport between teachers and students.

The anthology discusses eminent literary persons from Sangam literature to contemporary literature. A seminar on Sanjeevi's life and research in Tamil was also organised by the Tamil Literature Department.

M. Rajendran, director of the Tamil Development Department, participated.