CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday announced that the State government would install a statue at Suseendram in Kanyakumari district to honour late Tamil scholar and poet Kavimani Desikavinayakam Pillai.
Announcing this in the State Assembly, the CM hailed the late scholar as an eminent poet, who was known for his patriotic fervour. Though the poet was born in a place which was part of Nanjilnadu (part of Malayala Nadu in pre-Independence days), he mastered Tamil grammar and composed a number of poems echoing Tamil culture as well as modern thoughts.
The poet’s love for Tamil language, spirituality, anti-castiestic views and affection for children are known from his work ‘Malarum Malaiyum’, the CM said. She also recalled his view that it is the the duty of people to protect independence of the nation.
The CM quoted late Tamil scholars Namakkal Kavingar Ramalingam Pillai and Professor Vaiyapuri Pillai who had glorified the works of Kavimani Desikavinayakam Pillai.
Meanwhile, leaders of various political parties hailed the decision. Vijayadharani (Congress) said it was a pleasant surprise for her, as she was the great grand-daughter of Desikavinayakam Pillai.