The Scholar Who Championed Dravidian Languages Against All Odds
In a defining moment that encapsulated his unwavering commitment, Tamil scholar V I Subramoniam once met Murli Manohar Joshi, the then Union Minister for Education, to seek funds for developing a Dravidian university in Kuppam. Joshi responded with a condition, stating that if the university replaced the word 'Dravidian' with 'South Indian,' he could consider allocating funds. Subramoniam's sharp retort was legendary: "If you remove the word 'Dravida' from the national anthem, I will think about changing the name of the university." This exchange, as recounted by M Rajendran, former vice-chancellor of Tamil University, exemplified Subramoniam's profound love for Dravidian languages, transcending political pressures.
Early Life and Academic Foundations
Vadasery Iyamperumal Subramoniam, known as VIS, was born on February 18, 1926, in Vadasery, Nagercoil, within the Kanyakumari district. After completing his Masters in Tamil at Annamalai University in Chidambaram, he embarked on a distinguished career. He served as a Tamil lecturer at MDT Hindu College in Tirunelveli, followed by brief stints at Annamalai University and All India Radio in New Delhi. In 1953, he joined the University of Travancore, working under his mentor S Vaiyapuri Pillai in the Tamil chair department.
When the University of Travancore was founded in 1937, it featured only two chairs: chemistry and Tamil. VIS succeeded Vaiyapuri Pillai in 1954 as professor of the Tamil chair. Upon the university's rechristening as the University of Kerala, VIS diligently worked to upgrade the Tamil chair into a full-fledged department, becoming its first head. Later, he transitioned to the linguistics department, where he also assumed leadership, as noted by K Nachimuthu, a close associate for nearly four decades.
Building Institutions for Dravidian Research
As head of the linguistics department, VIS, with the support of the Kerala government, established the Dravidian Linguistics Association (DLA) in Thiruvananthapuram in 1971. This association enabled researchers to explore the intricate relationships between Dravidian languages, culture, and people. In 1972, the DLA launched the International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics, followed by the International School of Dravidian Linguistics (ISDL) in 1977, marking significant milestones in academic outreach.
Historically, British philologist Sir William Jones founded the Royal Asiatic Society in Kolkata in 1784 to promote Orientalist research, often emphasizing Sanskrit as India's primary language. However, the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilisation in 1924 hinted at Dravidian culture's existence. Years before this discovery gained prominence in Tamil discourse, VIS had already propelled Dravidian research onto the global stage through his scholarly work and institutional foundations.
VIS believed that understanding Tamil required studying other Dravidian languages, thereby modernizing Tamil scholarship. During his student days at Annamalai University, he met Thani Nayagam Adigal, a Christian priest and Tamil scholar, forming a lifelong friendship. Together, they founded the International Association of Tamil Research, organizing World Tamil Conferences in Malaysia, India, France, and Sri Lanka between 1966 and 1981.
Expanding Tamilology and University Leadership
Funds raised from the second World Tamil Conference in 1968 led to the creation of the International Institute for Tamil Studies (IITS) in Taramani, Chennai, by then Chief Minister C N Annadurai. VIS played a pivotal role in drafting the blueprint for IITS. Unlike many Tamil scholars who romanticized ancient Tamil culture's akam (personal) and puram (public) aspects, VIS advocated for examining how the past influences contemporary socio-cultural dynamics, as highlighted by R Balakrishnan, former bureaucrat and president of IITS.
VIS was more than a scholar; he was an institution builder. He opened a branch of DSL in Puducherry as the Puducherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture, became the founding vice-chancellor of Tamil University in Thanjavur, and was instrumental in establishing the Dravidian University at Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh. His tenure at Tamil University fostered research on migrant Tamils in Southeast Asia and provided opportunities for Sri Lankan Tamil scholars as visiting professors.
During the peak of the Cauvery issue, VIS published a book detailing the river's references in Sangam literature and inscriptions. He also established a department for marine archaeology, bringing ancient harbour city Poompuhar into academic discussions. In 1997, when the Dravidian University was founded in Kuppam, VIS became its first pro-chancellor.
Legacy and Unfulfilled Dreams
Upon retiring from Tamil University, VIS expressed a heartfelt wish in a circular: after his death, he desired his ashes to be scattered on the university campus, a testament to his deep affection for the institution. This wish was fulfilled during Rajendran's tenure, with a stone inscription memorializing his words, inaugurated by his driver Vadivelu, whom VIS held in high regard.
Despite his achievements, VIS had two unfulfilled dreams, as noted by lexicographer P R Subramanian, his student. He aimed to revise the 12-volume Tamil lexicon dictionary published by the University of Madras in 1924 and to create a pure Tamil dictionary. Realizing these dreams would serve as a fitting tribute on his birth centenary.
Timeline of Key Achievements
- February 2, 1926: Born in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari.
- 1946: Completed Masters in Tamil from Annamalai University.
- 1947-1953: Worked as a Tamil lecturer at MDT Hindu College, Tirunelveli.
- 1953-1958: Served as professor of Tamil chair at University of Travancore (later University of Kerala).
- 1957: Earned PhD in linguistics from Indiana University, USA, with a Rockefeller Foundation fellowship.
- 1958-1965: Founded and headed Tamil department at University of Kerala.
- 1966: Organized first World Tamil Conference in Malaysia with Thani Nayagam Adigal.
- 1967: Founded linguistics department at University of Kerala.
- 1969: Played key role in establishing International Institute of Tamil Studies, Chennai.
- 1971: Established Dravidian Linguistics Association in Thiruvananthapuram.
- 1972: Founded International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics.
- 1977: Established International School for Dravidian Linguistics in Thiruvananthapuram.
- 1981: Became first vice-chancellor of Thanjavur Tamil University; founded Puducherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture.
- 1997: Appointed first pro-chancellor of Kuppam Dravidian University.
- 2008: Served as vice-chairman of expert committee for Central Institute of Classical Tamil, Chennai.
- June 29, 2009: Passed away at age 84.
The Dravidian Linguistics Association has published over 200 books on Tamilology and Dravidian languages, including major works like 'Dravidian Encyclopedia – 3 volumes,' 'Encyclopaedia of Dravidian Tribes – 3 volumes,' and 'Index of Tolkappiyam.'
