Tamil Development Department Garlanding and Honouring of the Statue of Maraimalai Adigal, Father of the Pure Tamil Movement - 15.07.2026 Maraimalai Adigal - The Great Mountain of Tamil Among the eminent Tamil scholars of Tamil Nadu, the venerable Maraimalai Adigal stood out not only as the father of the Pure Tamil (Thanittamizh) movement but also as a uniquely gifted polymath. Proficient in the three languages of Tamil, English and Sanskrit, Adigal devoted his intellect to the indispensable fields of religion and social reform, writing numerous valuable works in pure Tamil and delivering remarkable speeches at forums and conferences, distinguishing himself as a man of high character. With the aim that all Tamils should speak pure Tamil, Maraimalai Adigal founded the 'Thanittamizh Iyakkam' (Pure Tamil Movement) and rendered devoted service to the Tamil language. He was a gifted orator capable of well-researched discourse, and a noble figure who carried out both Saiva religious service and reform work in an exemplary manner. He was revered by the Tamil world with titles such as 'Ocean of Tamil' and 'Father of Pure Tamil'. The venerable Maraimalai Adigal was born on the 15th day of the Tamil month of Aadi in 1876 at Nagapattinam. He served as a Professor of Tamil at Madras Christian College, teaching students in a simple and accessible manner. His delightful essays were published in journals such as Dravida Manjari, Pasuraga Gnanodhayam, Neelavaloni and Gnanabhogaram. He wrote critical commentaries on the works Pattinappalai and Mullaipattu, composed verse works such as Thiruvotriyur Murugan Mummanikkovai and Ramasundara Kanjiyakkam, wrote essay collections such as Sindhanai Katturaigal, Arivurai Kothu, Senthamizh for Children, and Tamil Poets of Ancient and Later Times, and authored novels such as Kumudhavalli or Nagagnatarasi and Kokilambal Kadithangal. He translated Kalidasa's Sanskrit work Shakuntalam into Tamil under the title Shakuntala Nadagam, and also wrote the play Ambikapathi Amaravathi. The Tamil Development Department has instituted an award in the name of Maraimalai Adigal, 'Father of the Pure Tamil Movement', and to date, five Tamil scholars have received this award. To honour the 150th birth anniversary of Maraimalai Adigal, 'Father of the Pure Tamil Movement', a floral tribute ceremony will be held at 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday, 15.07.2026, at his statue erected at the house where he lived in Pallavapuram, Chengalpattu District, on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu, attended by Hon'ble Ministers, a Member of Parliament, MLAs, the Mayor of Tambaram Corporation, the Deputy Mayor of Tambaram Corporation, the Chengalpattu District Collector, senior government officials and Tamil scholars. Arrangements for this event have been made by the Tamil Development Department. Director of Tamil Development Issued by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9