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Home > Tamils - a Trans State Nation > One Hundred Tamils of the 20th Century > K.Kanapathipillai
One Hundred Tamils of the 20th Century
K.Kanapathipillai
Kanapathipillai, born on 2nd July 1902, was from Puloly East, Point Pedro. He had his early education in Velauthar's School and later at Hartley College. Even during his early days, he was specially coached in Sanskrit by Vaithianatha Kurukkal. Entering the Ceylon University, he graduated with First Class Honours in Sanskrit. He then proceeded to India for a course in Tamil at the Annamalai University and obtained the Vidvan title in Tamil. His subject for the London University Ph.D was on Chola inscriptions.
On his return, he was appointed Lecturer in Tamil at the University of Ceylon, and later in 1948, was appointed Professor, which position he held at Peradeniya for a long time, till his demise.
He has written many literary works and dramatic compositions. In his early works he depicted life in the Point Pedro region. His dramas were staged by the students. Among his works are (all in Tamil):
Iankai Val Thamilar Varalaru 1956, Kathali Atru Padal,. Manicka Malai,. Nanadakam, Iru Nadakam., Pooncholai., Valkaiyin VinothankaL, and Sangili- a drama. "Sangili", which is a historical drama, has a long research preface of over 35 pages on the "History of Tamils in Sri Lanka". (from S.Arumugam's Dictionary of Biography of the Tamils of Ceylon - published here with permission)
