Faculty of Arts

10^th International Tamilology Research Conference Successfully Concluded at the University of Peradeniya

The Department of Tamil within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Peradeniya successfully concluded its 10th International Tamilology Research Conference (ITRC). Centered around the versatile theme of "Multi Disciplines in Tamil," the prestigious academic gathering brought together leading scholars, researchers, and educators from Sri Lanka and India to explore the language's intersection with modern science, history, and social frameworks.

The event commenced with a grand Inauguration Ceremony featuring a traditional lighting of the oil lamp and the rendering of the Tamil Antham. Dr. S. Sutharsan and Dr. M.M. Jayaseelan served as the conference's Co-Coordinators. Academic leadership was prominent throughout the opening, featuring addresses by the Head of the Department of Tamil, Prof. S. Pirashanthan, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. E.M.P.C.S. Ekanayake. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, Professor R.W. Pallegama, graced the event as the Chief Guest. A major highlight of the morning was the insightful Keynote Address delivered by renowned visual artist and Art History professor from the University of Jaffna, Prof. T. Sanathanan, who spoke on "Visualization of Tamil Identity: Art, Politics and Change."

Following the inauguration, the conference moved into four highly specialized technical sessions hosted across dedicated halls, creating a vibrant space for academic dialogue:

Session 1 (Prof. C. Thillainathan Hall): Chaired by Prof. M. A. Nuhaman, this session focused on foundational and societal frameworks. It featured vital presentations on Epistemology by Dr. Pa. Anandakumar (Gandhigram Rural Institute, India), Sociology by Mr. R. Rajeshkannan, Philosophy by Prof. M. S. M. Anas, Drama Studies by Dr. Navadharshini Karunakaran, and Educational Studies by Mr. A. Bowlananthi.

Session 2 (Prof. A. Sathasivam Hall): Chaired by Prof. Thurai. Manoharan, this track delved into cultural history and literature. Scholars presented on Modern Poetry (Dr. S. Venugopal), Hero Stones (Mrs. Santhini Arulanantham), Epigraphy (Dr. S. Josephin Selvi), Logics and Metrics (Dr. Ma. Rubavathanan), and the Historiography of Literature (Mrs. J. Heprosana).

Session 3 (Prof. K. Kanapathipillai Hall): Chaired by Dr. Pa. Anandakumar, this session targeted structural expression and communication. Presenters tackled Linguistics (Prof. M. A. Nuhaman), Library Science (Dr. R. Maheswaran), Ethnography (Mr. Th. Ajanthakumar), Media Studies (Mr. Siraj Mashoor), and Translation Studies (M. Thatchayani).

Session 4 (Prof. V. Chelvanayakam Hall): Chaired by Dr. R. Maheswaran, the final session of the conference explored civic and comparative topics. Discussions included Comparative Literature (Mr. E. Kumaran), Economics (Mrs. Shobana Devi Raveendran), Ethics (Dr. Mupisal Abubakkar), Legal Studies (Mr. Na. Sivakumar), and Tribal Studies (Mr. A. Kobi).

The successful completion of the 10th International Tamilology Research Conference marks a significant milestone for the Department of Tamil at the University of Peradeniya. By bridging traditional linguistic heritage with modern multidisciplinary research, the event successfully fostered global academic collaboration and reinforced the university's role as a premier hub for cultural preservation and intellectual advancement. The diverse insights shared across the sessions underscore the evolving nature of Tamil studies and set a clear benchmark for future academic research in the region.