Indian scholar
Manonmaniyam P. Sundaram Pillai |
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| Born | Manmoniyam Perumal Sundaram
4 April 1855 |
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| Died | 26 April 1897(1897-04-26) (aged 42) |
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| Occupation(s) | writer, scholar |
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Manonmaniyam P. Sundaranar (4 April 1855 – 26 April 1897) was an Indian scholar, noted for the famous Tamil drama Manonmaniyam.[1] as well as the state song of Tamil Nadu Tamil Thai Valthu.
Career
Sundaram showed his respect for Harvey, a Scottish Professor of Philosophy and English at The Maharaja's College, by dedicating his drama Manonmaniyam to him, and naming his farmhouse after him.[2] Together they wrote the book, Some Early Sovereigns of Travancore.
The MDT Hindu College, Tirunelveli, of which he was the first Principal, describes his works as follows:[3]
In 1885, he published Chathira Saugiragam, commonly known as Nootrogai Villakkam. He wrote and published his masterpiece Manonmaniam in 1891. In the same year, he became a member Fellow of Madras University (FMU). In 1897, Some Early Sovereigns of Travancore was published and he became a Member of Royal Asiatic Society (MRAS).[citation needed]
Death
He died of diabetes on 26 April 1897, at age 42. His son P. S. Nataraja Pillai served as Minister of Finance for Travancore-Cochin state from 1954–56 and was also a member of Constituent Assembly of India. He was elected to state legislative assembly of Kerala and to the Indian Parliament as a Lok Sabha member. He was politically associated with the Indian National Congress and Praja Socialist Party of India.[4]
Legacy
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University was named after him.
The 1942 cinema adaptation of Manonmani is considered a classic film.[1]
