| S VENKATESHWARAN |
How many avatars can a person take in his life? Many, if we follow the life and career of Dr. G. Periannan, who has dedicated his life to Tamil, particularly Thirukkural, and education.
Also the founder of Vanitha Publications, Dr. G. Periannan serves as the president of the All India Tamil Writers Association, which has more than 10 branches across the country. He has released more than 3,000 books through his publication and serves as the director of Tamil Nadu Educational Research and Development Centre and is vice-president of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Tamil Nadu. A proud resident of Nanganallur, he lives at 9A, Macmillan Colony.
Dr. Periannan was born on March 15, 1946, in Nallamoor, Tindivanam taluk, Villupuram district, to Mr. Govindasami Gounder, an agriculturist, and Mrs. Dhanalakshmi Ammal. He completed his early education in Nallamoor and studied at Sivaprakasam Swamigal High School. He earned his Tamil Vidwan degree from Srimath Sivagnana Balaya Swamigal College, Mayilam, and later pursued a Masters and Doctorate of Philosophy from Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai. Additionally, he completed his B.Ed. and M.Ed. from Annamalai University.
Dr. Periannan began his teaching career at Gopalapuram Boys’ High School in 1970-71, where he taught for two years and recalled that former Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi’s son, Mr. Tamilarasu, was one of his students.
In 1974, he joined as 1st stage Tamil teacher at Government Nehru Boys High School, Nanganallur, and later became its Headmaster after completing his postgraduate studies. He taught there for 17 years, and one of his notable students, Justice R. Mahadevan, is now a Supreme Court judge.
He also served at Kodambakkam Government High School and Vedanthangal Government High School.
His song, ‘Maram Valarppom Vaarungal’, was included in the Tamil Nadu government’s 8th standard textbook.
He later became the Headmaster of Nehru Boys High School and then served as the Principal of Chengalpattu Government Girls High School for eight years. He also worked as the District Education Officer (DEO) in Chengalpattu.
After retirement, he served as Professor at Dhanalakshmi College of Education, Perambalur, and as Principal at Vandavasi in Durai College of Education.
He has organised over 50 national and international seminars on education and written more than 100 books on Tamil literature and education.
Dr. Periannan is an acclaimed Tamil scholar and stage orator. He has written books on society, religion, literature, grammar, education and folk songs.
His mastery over Thirukkural earned him the title ‘Thirukkural Mamani’. He has given special lectures at over 200 literary events and served as a referee at Tamil literary forums.
Dr. Periannan recalled the support of Mr. S.V. Ramani, a well-known figure in Nanganallur, in sponsoring the construction of the Thirukkural Peravai Mandram building. And this is possible because of my headmaster while I was working as a teacher at Government Nehru School, Mr. Durai Narasimhan. He is the president of Thirukkural Peravai Mandram, and I am the secretary, he said.
Dr. Periannan joined the Scout Movement in 1974 and received training in forestry. As the secretary and commissioner of Chengalpattu district, he trained over 200 teachers and guided more than 1,000 students in Scout camps. His book ‘Saaranar Iyakkam’ won the Tamil Nadu Government’s Best Book Award. He has authored over 20 books related to the Scout Movement and has been the vice-president of the state Scout movement for nine years.
Dr. Periannan has received numerous prestigious awards, including, National Best Teacher Award (2002) from the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, for creating an artistic school compound with Thirukkurals.
He also bagged the Dr. Radhakrishnan Award from then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
He has received over 40 awards in recognition of his contributions to Tamil and education.
Dr. Periannan has actively contributed to community development. He purchased land for a government library in Nallamoor, his native place, and established an old students’ association in 1964. He set up a night school, conducted typing workshops, and provided training for competitive exams.
In 2018, he installed a statue of Thiruvalluvar in his Thirukkural Peravai building in Nanganallur and has been conducting free Thirukkural classes for students every Sunday. He also presents the Best Teacher Awards to 100 teachers on Teachers Day every year.
He also recalled that he had distributed over 2 lakh copies of Thirukkural across Nanganallur for just Rs. 2 per copy to ensure that every Nanganallurean had a Thirukkural copy at home.
Dr. Periannan has represented Tamil culture and literature in international conferences.
Even after his retirement in 2004, Dr. Periannan continues to serve as the Scouts movement and many more and conducts weekly Thirukkural Peravai Mandram meetings at 6th Main Road, Nanganallur. He remains dedicated to Tamil language, education and community service, inspiring future generations with his tireless efforts.
