‘Several educational programmes can be effective in popularising Tamil language’

It is but obvious that Tamil Nadu Government is taking lot of efforts to popularise Tamil language. The Tamil associations in other states also are trying to promote the language. Whether some activities are being conducted to promote the language? What efforts are being taken to popularise Tamil or what efforts should be taken for the same? With these questions, ‘The Hitavada’ talked to teachers, South Indian Association office-bearers, doctors, retired Government employees to know more about promotion of Tamil language. Dr S Subramanian, noted Orthopaedic Surgeon, said, “Several organisations are taking steps to popularise Tamil. I studied in Saraswati Vidyalaya where Tamil language is taught and lot of students opt for the same. At the back of GS College there is one Fine Art Society that conducts Tamil language-related activities including some cultural programme.

In USA, there is Tamil Sangham and my sister Vidhya is its member. They teach Tamil to people from India living in the country. One of the parents go and teaches Tamil. Those who learn Tamil language get certificate too. Such types of activities can be conducted in Nagpur too.” According to Rajagopalan Iyer, a businessman, interest can be generated through religious programme, musical programme in Tamil language. “Traditional music or any cultural programmes has that Tamil fragrance which can attract people and prompt them to learn Tamil. Several programmes are held at Bhagwad Pad Sabha, Balaji Mandir. Tamil classes are conducted in South Indian Association which receive good response,” added Iyer. K V Nagarajan, President of South India Association, expressed regret as people are not coming to attend Tamil classes. He pointed out, “In South Indian Association, we used to conduct classes and 50-60 students attended. But that number has got reduced in recent time.

We conduct classes free of cost. We are optimistic that its number would increase as we are planning to start the classes in newer form.” “We have made it a point that at least in our homes we don’t allow our kids to speak other languages except Tamil. They are supposed to know Tamil culture, history and other things. Outside home, they can speak any language. Tamil Nadu Government is taking all efforts to popularise Tamil, being a mother tongue. South Indian Education Society also is promoting Tamil. Those who want to learn Tamil language are welcome. In Mumbai, at Matunga, Nerul there are schools and colleges where Tamil language is promoted to a large extent. In such institutions, Tamil is one of the compulsory languages.

In Nagpur, we organise programmes in remembrance of Bharathiyar, Tyagarajan where we promote Tamil culture,” informed Nagarajan. K Jagdeesan, executive body member of Bhagwad Pad Sabha and member of South Indian Education Society, said, “Tamil language is being taught in Saraswati Vidyalaya. In the school itself we take Tamil classes absolutely free of cost. Some more efforts we are planning to popularise Tamil even among the non-Tamil speaking population.” S Prabhuraman, Principal of Saraswati Vidyalaya, praised Maharashtra Government for helping Tamil associations in popularising the language. “Maharashtra Government is generous enough as it has given approval to Tamil as a language. Students can opt Tamil.

They can write Tamil as one of the subjects. Several people who are non-Tamil are getting their wards admitted to our schools with a purpose so that he or she would learn Tamil. Right now, we are teaching 40 students free of cost.” Elaborating the efforts being taken up to popularise Tamil, S Prabhuraman said, “There are two libraries in Saraswati Vidyalaya where Tamil books penned by famous writers are kept. We are providing Tamil literature books to the other school students too. Those settled in Chennai have suggested us to teach students the basic Tamil so that they should not have problem in reading and writing Tamil whilst in Chennai or other cities of Tamil Nadu.” Mahalaxmi Rajagopalan, a retired Doordarshan officer, has written a biography of her late father-in-law R Vishwanathan Iyer. Her brother-in-law Venkat wrote a book in English, and she got it translated in Tamil. She feels when seniors remain in touch with Tamil, the next generation also generates interest in the language.