C. Ganesha Iyer

Vidhva Shiromani C. Ganesha Iyer
சி. கணேசையர்
Born C. Ganesha Iyer
1 April 1878
Punnalaikadduvan, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Died November 8, 1958 (aged 80)
Varuthalai Vilan, Jaffna
Religion Saivite
Spouse(s) Annalakshmi
Parent(s) Chinnaiyar
Chinnammal

Vidhva Shiromani BrahmaSri C. Ganesha Iyer (1 April 1878 – 8 November 1958) is a Ceylon Tamil Philologist[1] who lived in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He is respected like a mountain in the history of Tamil literary development of 19th and 20th centuries in Eelam.[2]

Birth

Ganesha Iyer (also written as Kanesaiyar/Vittuva Cirōmaṇi Kaṇēcaiyar) born as the fifth son of Chinnaiyar and Chinnammal in the agricultural village of Punnalaikkadduvan 12 kilometres north of Jaffna city. The family belonged to a lineage of Saiva Brahmins Somiyer Sankara iyer who were hereditary priests of Aayarakkadavai Siththi Vinayagar temple.

Education

The family consisted of learned and teachers. Ganesha Iyer had his primary education (up to 8th standard) in a Saiva school started by Kathirgama iyer in the courtyard of Siththi Vinayagar Temple and was a Teacher at the same school later on. This school was taken over by the Govt. and is in the opposite side of Aayakkadavai Sithivinayagar Temple. He ranked number one in the subjects: Tamil grammar, literature, history, religion and mathematics. The private tuition he received at home from his uncle Kathirgama Iyer enabled him to achieve the first rank in school. Then he joined the pial[N 1] school conducted by Vidhva Shiromani Ponnambala Pillai[3] at Vannarpannai within the Jaffna city. Ganesha Iyer learned advanced Grammar from him.

After the death of Ponnambala Pillai, Ganesha Iyer was a student under Chunnakam Kumaraswamy Pulavar for some time. He learned Tamil Grammar and Sanskrit from the Pulavar. Ganesha Iyer grew up a scholar by referring his doubts to Kumarasamy Pulavar and getting clarifications from him.

Family life

Ganesha Iyer married Annalakshmi – the only daughter of his maternal uncle. Annalakshmi had good knowledge in Sanskrit and Tamil. The couple did not have any children. After the demise of his wife, Ganesha Iyer bought a land and dug a well in memorium to his wife. He named it as "Annalakshmi Koopam"[N 2] and donated it to the Maruthady Vinayagar temple at Varuthalaivilan. The well is used as the Pushkarani[N 3] of this temple till now.

Grammatical and Literary Activities

Expert Grammarian

Ganesha Iyer had a matured proficiency in Grammar. He wrote explanatory notes to the ancient Tamil literature called Tolkāppiyam that is considered as the maxim for Tamil grammar. This work took him to the crest of popularity. For several years he went in search of the palm-leaf manuscripts of Tholkapiyam, collected them and took notes from them. Whenever he found any error, he corrected them, published the corrections in newspapers and got the approval of other scholars. After finalising everything he got them printed as a book. This book was edited and published by Eezhakesari Naa. Ponniah. The following books were published in the years mentioned: Ezhuththathikaram – 1937 (Phonology), Sollathikaram – 1938 (Morphology, syntax and semantica), Porulathikaram 2nd Part – 1943 (Literary themes – part 2) and Porulathikaram 1st Part – 1948.[4][5] Ganesha Iyer was highly praised as "Tholkapiyakkadal" (Sea of Tholkapiyam) and "Eezhaththu Ilakkiya Gnanru" (The wise man of Eelam Literature).

Grammar and Literary Researcher

During his 25th year, Ganesha Iyer wrote research articles to a journal named Senthamizh[6] published by the Madurai Tamil Sangam in Tamil Nadu. He wrote both Grammar and Literary research articles and they were published in Senthamizh.

Essayist

He was a good essayist. He wrote articles in Madurai Senthamizh, Eezhakesari newspaper and souvenirs that were published during that period. He selected complicated areas in grammar and wrote articles on those subjects. He also wrote religious articles on Saiva Siddhanta.

Debating Skill

There were debates going on in newspapers and journals between Tamil Scholars of Eelam and of Tamil Nadu. Ganesha Iyer participated in those debates and sometimes differed from the opinion of certain scholars of Tamil Nadu. His fame increased by these debates.

Poetry

Ganesha Iyer had a good skill in traditional poetry. Most of his poetry were sung in praise of Saiva deities.

Teacher

He served as a teacher in several schools in Jaffna. He was a certified teacher to teach in government schools. He was the Principal of Praseena Paatasala at Chunnakam established by Muhandiram T. Sathasiva Iyer from the year 1921 till 1932. During this period he created a lineage of eminent Pandithars in Eelam.

After leaving this school, he held private classes in Varuthalaivilan. He taught grammar to teachers and others who came from various parts of the Jaffna Peninsula. Every evening he conducted a class under the banyan tree in the vicinity of Maruthady Vinayagar temple at Varuthalaivilan.

Multiple Services

Having hailed from a learned Brahmin family of Late Somaiyer Sankara Iyer that had experts in Saiva agamas and astrology, he rendered his services to the community in calculating auspicious days, climactic changes, demarcating spots for putting up houses or digging of wells and such activities.

Felicitation

In recognition of the services rendered by him to the development of Tamil Grammar and Literature he was awarded a purse of two thousand rupees in 1938. The function took place in the hall of Vannai Vaitheeswara Vidyalayam in the presence of thousands of people. The function was presided over by S. Nadesapillai and several eminent personalities including Swami Vipulananda were present.

The Chennai Thamil Sangam celebrated their 4th year celebrations at Parameshwara College, Jaffna on 29 March 1951 attended by famous Tamil Scholars from Tamil Nadu, honoured iyer on this occasion as well.(Page Sangamam of Veerakesari of 9 November 2013)

Award of Honorary Title

The Arya Dravida Basha Development Academy conferred the title Vidhva Shiromani to Ganesha Iyer and felicitated him. It is the highest title given for Tamil course.

Final years

Ganesha Iyer spent the last ten years of his life at Varuthalaivilan , his wife's native village. He gave away his valuable notes and books to his students and lived a hermit's life. He was helped by Eezhakesari organisation, his relatives and friends.

Ganesha Iyer died on 3 November 1958.

in MEMORY OF Viduva Shironmani C.Ganesh Iyer, a Statue was erected at Aayakadavai Sithivinayagar Temple compound near Palaly Road, Punnalaikadduvan, by his relative S.Swaminatha Iyer[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.worldcat.org/title/vittuva-ciromani-kanecaiyar/oclc/230918691
  2. ↑ Tamil Studies in Ceylon by K.P. Ratnam 1968
  3. ↑ ச. பொன்னம்பலபிள்ளை (ta)
  4. ↑ Linguistics in Ceylon, II-Tamil
  5. ↑ Erode District Central Library
  6. ↑ http://maduraitamilsangam.com/publication.htm
  7. ↑ Article by Thusayanthan on Government school Pavala Vizha Malar.
  8. ↑ Statue of Ganesha Iyer

Notes

  1. ↑ A raised platform adjacent to the entrance of a house. It was meant for resting. But those who were teachers, used these pials to teach students.
  2. ↑ Koopam means well
  3. ↑ The water in the well used only for temple purposes

External links