Avvai Duraisamy

Avvai Duraisamy () (September 5, 1903 – April 3, 1981) is a Tamil scholar. He has the pride of leaving the job of Sanitary Inspector for his love of the language of Tamil. He then learnt Tamil, after which he became a scholar.

Early life

Avvai Duraisamy was born 5 September 1903 to Sundaram Pillai – Chandiramathi in a small village called Avvaiyarkuppam, located nearer to Dindivanam of Villupuram district. He had his primary education in his village. Then he continued in US Arcot Charitable High School, Tindivanam where he completed his school education with distinction. He joined Voorhees College in Vellore for his inter. But owing to prevailing poverty in his family, he could not continue his education. He joined the job of Sanitary Inspector to help his family. As he had no likes for that job, he had to resign in just 6 months.

Tamil Education

Avvai Duraisamy had the ambition of learning Tamil from a proper source. Thamizhvel Umamaheswaran appointed him as teacher in Karanthai Tamil Sangam School. He learnt Tamil simultaneously after which he cleared the “Vidvan” examination conducted by Madras University.

Posts Held

He began his career as Sanitary Inspector. Then he worked as Tamil teacher in Kalavai Ranipet (Karai) Primary School. He worked as High School Tamil teacher in schools located at Kaveripakkam, Cheyyar, Chengam and Polur from 1929 to 1941. He wrote research articles on Tamil literature and grammar in magazines like Tamizhpozhil, Senthamizhchelvi and Senthamizh. He joined as researcher in Tirupati Thiruvengadavan Eastern College in 1942. Then he worked as lecturer in the research department of Annamalai University for eight years since 1943. He joined as Professor in Madurai Thiyagaraja College in the year 1951.

Tamil Literary Contributions

After Navalar Na. Mu. Venkatasamy Nattar who was involved in writing commentary for the epic Manimekalai, died suddenly, Avvai Duraisamy completed the work writing commentary for the final four kaathais of Manimekalai, as per the wish of ‘Karanthai Kaviarasu’ Venkatachalam Pillai. He wrote rare books like Literary History of Shaivism and Gnanamirtham, while working in Annamalai University. They were published as Annamalai University Publications.

Bibliography

1. Commentary of Thiruvothur Thevara Thiruppathiga Urai
2. Tirumarperu Thiruppathiga Urai
3. Commentary of Aingurunooru
4. Commentary of Purananooru (2 Volumes)
5. Commentary of Pathitrupatthu
6. Commentary of Natrinai
7. Commentary of Gnanamirtham
8. Sivagnana bodham – Source and Short Commentary
9. Brief of Silappadikaram
10. Brief of Manimekalai
11. Brief of Civaka Cinthamani
12. Brief of Sulamani
13. Research of Silappadikaram
14. Research of Manimekalai
15. Research of Civaka Cintamani
16. Yashodara Kaviyam – Source and Commentary
17. Biography of Tamil Navalar – Source and Commentary
18. History of Shaivite Literature
19. Nanda Vilakku
20. Avvai Thamizh
21. Thamizh Thamarai
22. Perunthagai Pendir
23. Maduraikumaranar
24. Scenes in History
25. History of Chera King
26. Sivagnanabodha Semborul
27. Gnanavurai
28. Commentary of Tiruvarutpa (9 Volumes)
29. Baranar – (Karanthai)
30. Deivapulavar Thiruvalluvar – (Kazhagam)
31. Introduction to the story of Thiruvalluvar
32. Thamizh Selvam

Unpublished works

1. Name of Village – Research of History
2. Puthuneri Thamizh Ilakkanam (2 Volumes)
3. Maththa Vilasam (Translation)
4. Marulneekkiyaar Natakam
5. Puthu Neri Thamizh Ilakkanam
6. Oozhvinai
7. Thamizh Thamarai
8. Arcot

Honours

• Madurai Tiruvalluvar Kazhagam read a Letter of Appreciation called “Palthurai Mutriya Pulavar” in the year 1964.
• Radha Thiyagarajanar appreciated his teacher’s high qualities and honoured him with the title “Uraiventhar” and awarded him a gold medal.
• The Governor of Tamil Nadu Prabhudas Patwari awarded him with the title “Thamizh Pervai Chemmal” in the year 1980.
• Tamil Writers Association honoured him with the title “Thamizh Thondu Seitha Periyar” and awarded him a shield.