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Life of
Prof Dr N Subbu Reddiar
'Ennai Iraivan Nandraga Padaithan; Thannai Nandraga Tamizh Cheyyumare'
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Fast FACTS : His MOTHER : Early Life : Education : Headmaster : Teachers' Teacher : Professor : Savant : Positions Held
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The life of Prof Dr N Subbu Reddiar can be divided into five distinctive periods: [01] His Childhood and Education; [02] His life as a Headmaster at Thuraiyur, Trichy Dist. Tamilnadu; [03] His life as a Teachers' Teacher at Karaikudi, then Ramnad Dist. [now Sivaganga Dist.,] Tamilnadu; [04] His life as an University Professor at Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh and [05] His retired, but scholarly life at Chennai, Tamilnadu, running into 28 long years till his death, after a brief illness, in 2006.
He was born in 1916 [27 August] at his mother's place , a small village by name Perahambi, Lalgudi Taluq, Trichy Dist., Tamilnadu. After his informal and formal education in the villages and nearby towns [Thuraiyur and Musiri], he moved to Trichy to complete his Bachelor's degree [BSc - Chemistry]] and, then to Madras [Chennai] to complete his Teacher training [LT].
He began his career as a Founder-Headmaster [9 years], then he served as a Professor in a Teacher's Training College [10 years] and later retired as an University Professor in 1977 [17 years], after serving the cause of education for 36 years in several capacities. Even after his retirement in 1977, Professor was invited to serve various positions. In 1978, he accepted the post of Chief Editor, Tamil Encyclopedia.
During this 36 years and then, 28 years after his retirement, he published more than 125 books in a variety of topics ranging from Tamil language, Tamil literature, space science, to education, educational psychology, literary criticism, and to religion, philosophy, genetics, biography, pedagogy, autobiography, etc. After his retirement, he had published 70 books.
He established TEN endowments in universities and educational institutions with the funds coming from his own earnings and cash awards received, with the objectives that series of lectures are to be conducted each year by inviting Tamil scholars who are specialists in various fields, as indicated by the Professor. Similarly, he gave lectures on several topics in various endowments establishes by other charitable institutions in universities and published those lectures in a book form.
During his academic career, Professor participated [and presided] several All-India seminars and presented papers in English in a variety of fields, viz religion, philosophy, education, literature, etc,. When he was in Sri Venkateswara University, he conducted four national level symposia, wherein the inaugural and valedictory sessions were conducted in English for the benefits of all faculty and students of the University.
His 14 books received prizes from the University of Madras and Government of Tamilnadu. Apart from these, he was honoured by other institutions, like Madurai-Kamaraj University (honoured him with DLitt), and several Religious and Charitable Trusts. He was awarded 'Kalaimamani' by the Tamilnadu Isai, Iyal Nataka Mandram of Government of Tamilnadu for his enduring contribution to the development of Tamil.
At the time of his death [1 May 2006], he was the Professor Emeritus [for Life] in the Dept of Tamil Language and Literature in the University of Madras, Life Member of Academic Council in the Madurai-Kamaraj University, Madurai and President, Anna Nagar Tamil Sangam, Chennai - 600 040.