About the Department

Objective

The Department of comparative Philology, Oriental Research Institute, University of Madras first began its researches in Tamil in 1914. In 1927, a separate Tamil Department was established in the Institute. In 1930, the Tamil Department was further expanded. Eminent Professors like Prof.K.N. Sivaraja Pillai, Sri.S. Anavaratanayakam Pillai, Sri.S. Vaiyapuri Pillai, Sri.R.P. Sethu Pillai, Dr.M. Varadarajan, Dr.N. Sanjeevi and Dr.Pon. Kothandaraman worked in our department. The department of Tamil was bifurcated in July 1980 as Department of Tamil Literature, Department of Tamil Language, Department of Tamil Literature specializing in Cultural Studies.  

• The department of Tamil Literature was formed to construct the cultural history of Tamil based on core Tamil Literature, core Tamil Grammar and the available archaeological sources like inscriptions and Tamil Manuscripts sources in the Tamil Milieu.
• The corollary to the ancient heritage of department also attempts to study contemporary cultural history on the basis of modern media and print audio and electronic operating today.

• Every two months, we organize field visits. The visits are to monuments; i.e. old temples, old inscriptions, particularly Brahmi and Vattezhuthu.
• Paleolithic and Megalithic sites in Tamilnadu.
• Rare sculptures and temples etc.

• Monthly once we organize the students to visit the old libraries in the City i.e. Maraimalai Adigal Library, Rosa Muthiah Library, U.V. Saminatha Aiyar Library, Theosophical Society Library & Cannimara Library.

• Once in Fifteen days we organize Medai a special event for the participation of all the students in our department to present their skills in creative writing, performance, etc.

Mission

• To develop the Department into a SAP department recognised by UGC.
• To expand the Department into a Department of Culture Studies in order to include Tamil, Tamil Theatre, Music & Painting Traditions.
• To create an archive of Tamil Studies particularly rare books, artifacts etc.
• To specialise in Tamil Diasporic Studies.
  Academic activities
• Every 6 months we conduct UGC-NET free coaching classes for the students of our department.
• Once in two years we conduct refresher courses for the college teachers sponsored by UGC-ASC.

• Every 6 months we conduct UGC-NET free coaching classes for the students of our department.
• Once in two years we conduct refresher courses for the college teachers sponsored by UGC-ASC.