அறவேந்தன்

Professional Summary

Dr. R. Thamotharan (a.k.a. Aravendan) is Professor of Tamil, Centre of Indian Languages, SLL & CS at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is formerly Professor at Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli; Lecturer & Reader at Alagappa University, Karaikudi; Lecturer at Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirapalli; and Lecturer at J. J. College of Arts & Science, Pudukottai. An award-winning author and a prolific writer, Prof. Thamotharan has authored 24 books, 15 short serials and has edited 35 books.

Date & Place of Birth

16.10.1966
V. Sathanur, Vikkiravandi via, Villupuram 605 652

Teaching Experience

Professor 11/2013 to Current
Jawaharlal Nehru University | New Delhi

Professor 03/2011 to 11/2013
Bharathidasan University | Tiruchirappalli

Lecturer & Reader 10/2006 to 03/2011
Alagappa University | Karaikudi

Lecturer 01/2000 to 10/2006
Bishop Heber College | Tiruchirappalli

Lecturer 07/1995 to 01/2000
J. J. College of Arts and Science | Pudukkottai

Administrative Roles

As Administrative Head

Representative of Tamil Stream, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. 2013 onwards
Head, Centre for Periyar Studies, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli. 2011–2013
Organizer of Digital Manuscript Gallery, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 2012–2013
Coordinator of Anna Chair, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 2010–2011
Secretary of College-level Tamil Literary Society, Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirappalli, 2004–2005
Coordinator of College-level Weekly Examinations, J. J. College of Arts and Science, Pudukkottai, 1995–2000
Head, Department of Tamil, J. J. College of Arts and Science, Pudukkottai. 1998–2000

As Head in-charge

Director of Anna Chair, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 2012–2013
Director of Publications Division, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 2013

Various Administrative Roles

Coordinator of Student Rural Presence Program, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 2008–2009
Editor of University-level Multi-disciplinary Research Journal (Athicham), Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 2009–2011
Coordinator of Department Weekly Research Forum, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 2009–2010
University Exam Additional Chief, Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirappalli, 2005
NSS Unite Programme Officer, J. J. College of Arts and Science, Pudukkottai, 1997–2000
University Exam Chief and Additional Chief, J. J. College of Arts and Science, Pudukkottai, 1999–2000
Member in Senate, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 2012–2013
Member in Board of Studies (Administration), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. 2013 onwards
Coordinator of Seminars and Workshops at: Alagappa University, 2010–2011; Bharathidasan University, 2012–2013; Jawaharlal Nehru University, 2013 onwards.

Education

Ph.D. | Comparative Grammar 1995
Tamil University

Guidance: Prof. S. Rajaram

M. Phil. | Tamil 1992
Pondicherry University

Guidance: Prof. K. P. Aravaanan
Percentage of Marks: 76%

Master's Degree M.A. | Tamil 1991
Pondicherry University

Ranked University First with 74%

Bachelor's Degree B. Lit. | Tamil 1989
S S B S Tamil College

Ranked University First with 64%

Board of Higher Secondary Education | Mathematics 1985
Government Higher Secondary School, Vikkiravandi

Board of Secondary Education | General 1982
S. S. High School, Mayilam

Specialization

Comparative Grammar
Socio-Historical Study

Periyar Study

Awards & Recognitions

The President's Award (2009)
Govt. of Tamil Nadu's Best Research Book Prize (2005 & 2010)
USA Tamil Sangam Award (1993)
Nigari Award (2017)
Financial Assistance: Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Publication of Best Book (1998)

Publications

Research Books: 21 + 3
Short Serial Research Books: 15
Editorship of Books: 27 + 1
Editorship of Journals: 7
Virtual University Lessons: 2
Online Teaching of Classical Tamil: 1

Research Experience

Research Papers 240

International Level 25
National Level 85
State Level 17
Institution Level 29
In Journals 32
In Books 06

Lectures

Endowment Lectures 08
Invited Lectures 38

Book Reviews

Book Review Presentations 12

Organization of Research Events 226 + 10

International Level 108 + 10
National Level 25
Institution Level 33
Internal Research Events 60

Identification of Good Thesis and Publishing on YouTube 17
Academic Talks 14
Foreword to Books 11

Guidance
Ph.D.

Awarded 21
Submitted 02
Ongoing 05

M.Phil.

Awarded 43
Submitted 03
Ongoing 02

Book Review Presentation 285
Article Presentation 195

Research Projects Completed

Funded by UGC
1. Socio-Historical Study of Tamil–Telugu Grammatical Traditions. 2004–2006. (Rs.95,000)
2. A Socio-Historical study of First Grammatical works in Dravidian Languages. 2009–2011. (Rs.397,200)
Funded by CICT
3. The Nature of the Research Studies on Kurunthogai: A Historical Perspective. 2007–2008. (Rs.110,000)
4. Knowledge Traditional in Tamil Classical Literature and Grammar. 2011–2012. (Rs.250,000)
Funded by JNU, UPE II
5. Kurunthogai Ramarathinam's Commentary. 2015. (Rs.110,000)

Research Contribution

Thamotharan's past 23 years of 1. Through 2. Through 3. Through 1. Development of (i). Sanskit's Kaviyadharsham (ii). Telugu's (iii). Singhalese (iv). Dravidian - 1995 Tholkappiyam - 1995 Tholkappiyam - 2008 Tholkappiyam - 2013 Tholkappiyam 2. This can be divided i. Kurunthogai's ii. Rare commentaries iii. Comparative - 2010 History of - 2010 History of - 2017 History - In Print: - In Print: - In Print: Researched - 2011 Kurunthogai: - 2016 Kurunthogai: 3. Relationship between research work can be divided into three thrust areas:
Comparative Grammar
Kurunthogai Research
Socio-Historical Approach
Comparative Grammar
traditional grammar field by comparing Tamil with Sanskrit, Telugu, Singhalese, Malayalam and Kannda.
was introduced in Tamil and compared with Dhandialangaram. Through this, the Tamil Sanskrit oratorical relationship was developed.
Andhrasabtha Cinthamani was introduced in Tamil and compared with Tholkappiyam. Through this, the Tamil Telugu grammatical relationship was introduced and developed.
Sidhashankarava was introduced in Tamil and compared with Veeracholiyum. Through this, the Tamil Singhalese grammatical relationship was introduced and developed.
language's (Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannadam) traditional grammars was compared and their inter relationship was made evident.
and Kaviya Darsham (Sanskrit)
and Sidhath Sankarava (Singalish)
and Andhrasabtha Cinthamani (Telugu)
and other Dravidians' 1st Grammar (Telugu, Malayalam, Kannadam)
Kurunthogai Research
into three types:
research from the past 100 years was collected and reviewed
of Kurunthogai were published
study of Kurunthogai's commentaries and evaluations
Kurunthogai's Editions
Kurunthogai's Research
of Perumpanarruppatai's Editions
Comparative Study of Perumpanarruppatai's Commentaries
Comparative Study of Kurunthogai's Commentaries
Comparative Study of Thirumurukarruppatai's Commentaries
& Edited Books:
Samba Shiva Sharma Commentary
Ramarathnam Iyer Commentary
Socio-Historical Approach
contemporary society and Sangam literature, Didactic literature, Modern literature, Traditional grammars were identified and introduced.

Contribution to Classical Tamil through Ph.D Guidance

Comparative Study
2017 – Tamil Tholkappiyam, Dhivakaram and Sanskrit Nirudham
2018 – Tamil Tholkappiyam, Dhantialankaram and Sanskrit Kaviyappirakacam
2019 – Tholkappiya Malayala Translations
2019 – Purananuru and Les Chansons De Geste (French)
2021 – Tholkappiyam and Pali Mogalyana Viyakaranam
Ongoing – Tamil Ethical Literature, Sanskrit Neethithvishahtika and Telugu Sumathi Sathagamu – A Comparative Study
Literature
2012 – Textual Criticism and History of Natrinai Editions
2012 – Textual Criticism and History of Agananuru Editions
2014 – History of Aingurunuru Research
2015 – History of Iraiyanar Agaporul Research

Membership in Professional Bodies

University Representative & Member of Board of Studies, Sri Ramakrishna College, Coimbatore, 2008
Member, Board of Studies, Theivanai Ammal College for Women, Villupuram, 2009–2012
Member, Board of Studies, Madras University, 2014–2017
Member, DDE Board of Studies, Alagappa University, 2015–2018
Member, Jnanpith and Moortidevi Awards, Language Advisory Committee, 2018–2020
External Assessor for TLL306 Tamil Poetics, Singapore University of Social Sciences, 2019
Member, UGC, 2019
Member, PG Board of Studies, Alagappa University, 2019–2021
Member, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), 2019–2020
Member, PG Board of Studies, Periyar Maniyammai, 2021
Member of Syllabus Committee, UPSC Central Govt., 2020–2021
Member of Board of Studies, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), 2020–2021
Member of Board of Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, 2013–Till date