Thanjavur scholar wins PM’s praise for preserving, promoting Tamil manuscripts

Dr. Mani Maran, a 55-year-old Tamil scholar from Thanjavur, has won praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his work in preserving Tamil manuscripts and promoting their interpretation. The Prime Minister appreciated the scholar in his Mann Ki Baat event on Sunday, and called for similar efforts nationwide.For the past decade, Maran Manivasagam, aka Mani Maran, has been conducting evening classes near his house where students, working professionals, and researchers learn to read Tamil manuscripts. "I was concerned that the upcoming generation might not learn to interpret Tamil manuscripts. So, I started classes under the name 'Eadagam' to enlighten them about interpreting Tamil palm leaf manuscripts and to understand ancient knowledge," Maran told TOI.The scholar has been working in the Tamil Manuscript department of Saraswathi Mahal Library in Thanjavur for around 25 years. Maran has a doctorate in the subject ‘Water Management in Ancient Tamil Literature' from Bharathidasan University. He has been collecting, researching, preserving, and digitising ancient manuscripts on history, science, astrology, medicine, and literature.On Sunday, Maran was taken by surprise as the Prime Minister spoke about him in ‘Mann Ki Baat'. Modi called Maran an inspirational personality who has taken the responsibility of preserving extraordinary knowledge. "If such efforts are made across the country, our ancient knowledge will not remain confined within walls; it will become a part of the consciousness of the new generation," he said.Modi cited a govt initiative called ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission' in this year's budget, under which ancient manuscripts would be digitised. A National Digital Repository would be created, where students and researchers from all over the world would be able to connect with India's knowledge, he said.Thanking the Prime Minister for making him known across the country, Maran said the gesture is encouraging him to do better. "I dedicate the appreciation to my family, historians, colleagues, and superior officials who have been supporting me," he said.