Date: 2026-10-22 | Department: English

Tamil Literature In English Translation

Take 3,000-year-old Tamil literary heritage to global readership, says MSU Vice-Chancellor

TIRUNELVELI: Highlighting the antiquity and aesthetic depth of Tamil literature, Prof. Dr. S. Prabahar, Vice-Chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU), on Thursday stressed the urgent need to translate classic and modern Tamil works into English to secure their rightful place on the world literary map.

Delivering the keynote address at a one-day symposium on "Tamil Literature in English Translation," organised by the Postgraduate and Research Department of English at Sadakathullah Appa College (Autonomous), Prof. Prabahar pointed out that while languages are becoming extinct globally at an alarming pace, Tamil continues to thrive with a documented literary lineage of over 3,000 years.

"English has a history of barely 600 years, yet reputed institutions like Oxford University have captured 3,000 years of Tamil heritage in merely five pages," he observed. Urging scholars to popularise Sangam poetry internationally, he remarked, "While we frequently debate Western philosophers such as Derrida and Foucault, we must ask ourselves how thoroughly we understand our own Sangam poets. Translating these treasures into English is an academic imperative."

Recalling his own experience translating author Sivakami’s work Palayana Kazhithalum, the Vice-Chancellor noted that literary translation cannot be an automated search for equivalent words, but must stem from an authentic emotional and intellectual resonance with the text. He announced his plan to translate the Sangam corpuses Pathuppattu (Ten Idylls) and Ettuthogai (Eight Anthologies) into English following his retirement. He also noted that Tirukkural attained global acclaim because of pioneering translations by scholars like G.U. Pope and Constanzo Beschi (Veeramamunivar), and urged students to cultivate bilingual scholarship in both Tamil and English.

On the occasion, Prof. Prabahar formally released three textbooks brought out by the college's English Department: General Englis II, General English IV and English for Communication.

The symposium was organised to commemorate International Translation Day under the theme "Linguistic Diversity and Language Rights."

Presiding over the event, Principal Dr. S. M. Abdul Kader underscored the institution’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and cultural documentation. Earlier, Dr. S. Mohamed Haneef, Head of the Department of English, welcomed the gathering. Felicitations were offered by Vice-Principal (Unaided Programmes) Dr. R. Janet Rani and Head of PG English Dr. L. Anita Gnanamuttu.

Sahitya Akademi award-winning writers Thiru. Kulachal Yoosuf and Dr. P. Vimala (Assistant Professor of Tamil, St. Xavier’s College), along with translation award recipient Thiru. M. K. Mohamed Ali, shared perspectives on translation praxis. Dr. Albert, former Vice-Principal of St. Xavier’s College, delivered an introductory address, while College Managing Committee Member Haji Er. L.K.M.A. Muhammad Nawab Hussain, Dean of Arts Dr. M. Sulthana Barvin, and Dean of Students' Welfare Dr. S. Mahadevan were present.

The academic technical session was chaired by former HoD Prof. Dr. A. Nihamathullah. Research papers spanning historical fiction, Sangam lyrics, the translation legacy of G.U. Pope and Lakshmi Holmstrom, Kalki’s Sivagamiyin Sabhatham, Indira Parthasarathy’s Krishna Krishna, and regional dialects (including Dalit, Brahmin, and coastal Muslim idioms) were presented by faculty members and scholars.

Capt. Dr. K. Syed Ali Bhadhusha, Associate Professor and Convener, proposed the vote of thanks.