Chennai: Mention the name of Avvai Natarajan to any lover of Tamil, they will immediately recollect his booming voice and brisk speeches. The author, orator and former vice-chancellor of Tamil University, a long-time resident of Anna Nagar, has worked with leaders like Annadurai, M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa.
The Padmashri awardee, in an interview to News Today, talks about his experience of working with veteran leaders and his limitless love for Tamil.
Q: How did you develop a love for Tamil language?
A: My father Avvai Duraisamy Pillai was a Tamil professor and also a famous author. He wanted me to read science and be bring out new inventions. But, somehow, from the movies I watched and the people I became friends with, I developed a huge love and respect for Tamil.
Q: Who is your favourite writer?
A: My all-time favourite, whose writing has always been a part of my life is – Mu Varadharasanar (Mu Va). His writings had a wide reach among the people in those days. Kallo Kaaviyamo, Andha Naal, Sendhaamarai are some of his best collections. He was my biggest role model at the time and I had the dream of becoming a writer like him.
Q: Your first meeting with Anna…
A: I am not a full-time writer but I am well-known for my Tamil debate speeches and oration. Even as a student, I gave various speeches on big stages. During my college days, when I was about to give a speech, Anna came to the function as chief guest. He was impressed with my speech. Once I even spoke along with him. People called me, ‘Paadhi Anna’, seeing my talent in speaking. Slowly, great leaders like MGR and Karunanidhi came to know about my talent.
Q: About being appointed as the director of translation at a young age…
A: For six months, I worked as news reader in a radio station in Delhi. But I did not like the job much. So, I came back to Chennai. After some days, I was offered the post of deputy director in the Press Information Bureau (PIB) by Karunanidhi. For everyone, including me, it was a big surprise as it takes many years to climb to that position. But I got that post at such a young age directly. Also, in another six months, I was appointed as the director of the translation department.
Q: Tell us about your role as Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University.
A: After Karunanidhi’s regime, MGR was elected as Chief Minister. I told him that for the past 10 years, I had been in the top post in the department and that I wanted to get into social life. But, the then Chief Minister did not want to leave me and asked me what position I would prefer. At the time, my friend suggested us we integrate various Tamil departments under one umbrella, named Tamil Tradition and Culture Department. Immediately, MGR accepted the idea and announced that I would be the Secretary of the newly-formed department. After this, Jayalalithaa was elected Chief Minister and she appointed me as the Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University, Thanjavur.
Q: Share some of your personal experiences with Karunanidhi.
A: Though I have been working with a number of leaders, I personally love Kalaignar. I think this special bond between us is created by our mutual love for Tamil. We worked together for a long period and those were the best times of my life. He was very humorous and the way he writes any letter / document itself was adorable. One best example was, once I wrote to him in a letter, ‘Vidhi (rule) Idam Kodukkavillai’ and he replied ‘Vidhiyai Madhiyaal Vellavum’.”
Q: What about representation in World Tamil Conferences?
A: I took part in almost all World Tamil Conferences. In the very first conference at Kuala Lumpur, I marked my presence with my essay. In the second one, that took place in Chennai, headed by the then Chief Minister Anna, I was responsible for all the debates. The third and fourth happened in Paris and Jaffna. But due to some political compulsions, we were not able to make it. The fifth World Tamil Conference took place in Madurai in which my father was honoured by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Again, due to some political reasons, the then Chief Minister MGR did not want us to go to the sixth conference, in Malaysia. I will not forget the seventh conference in my life, as I represented the State in Mauritius along with 20 other Tamil scholars. When I was the Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University in Thanjavur, the World Tamil Conference was held there and I was totally involved in it.
Avvai Natarajan can be reached at 96000 64311.