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Tamil scholar M Nannan passes away at 94

He had his roots in the Dravidian Movement and became popular overnight with his Tamil classes broadcast on Doordarshan.

CHENNAI: Tamil scholar M Nannan, who had his roots in the Dravidian Movement and became popular overnight with his Tamil classes broadcast on Doordarshan, died here on Wednesday due to age-related illness. He was 94. Nannan, who was born in 1923 in Saathukudal in Cuddalore district, taught Tamil at the prestigious Presidency College in Chennai for long after his famous programmee on Tamil language coaching on the All India Radio (AIR) became popular during that time.

An ardent supporter of the Dravidian movement, Nannan served as director of Tamil development and vice- chairman of Adult Education Board, besides taking up several teaching assignments. He was a childhood friend of DMK chief M Karunanidhi and participated in agitations against the removal of Kannagi statue and other protests by the party on issues related to Tamil language.

Nannan, who breathed his last at his residence in Saidapet, became popular and an household name in 1980s when he hosted the Tamil language coaching classes on Doordarshan TV. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami condoled his death saying his loss was irreparable for Tamil literature world. DMK working president M K Stalin called Nannan's death as a great loss for the Dravidian movement. “Apart from being a Tamil teacher, he was also involved in propagating Periyar's teachings," he said, while PMK founder S Ramadoss said paid rich tributes to the departed scholar. "Nannan was a famous Tamil professor and a good friend of mine.

He started his career as a primary teacher and later he became the chief of Tamil department in college. He also created a separate type of teaching called Nannan Murai,” he said.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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