MADURAI: A portrait of Tamil language icon, Tamil scholar and poet ‘Sennapulavar’ Karmegha Konar was unveiled in the American College library in Madurai on June 21st 2023.
The portrait was unveiled in Daniel Poor Library in the college by Dr.M.Davamani Christober, Principal and Secretary of The American College, in the presence of late Karmegha Konar’s grand daughter Prof.Mrs.Azhagi Karmegam and family members.
“Karmegha Konar was a well-known Tamil scholar, educator and orator. He joined American College as Tamil lecturer in the year 1914 and went on to become the Head of Tamil Department in our college. He retired from service in 1951. His contributions to our college and student community are remarkable and always remembered. ‘Sennapulavar’ Karmegha Konar did yeoman service for Tamil language and students for 37 years when he worked in this college,” said Dr.Davamani Christober who had inaugurated the portrait and presided over the function here yesterday.
His birth centenary was celebrated in the year 1989 as a government function by the then Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhi. The literary works of Karmegha Konar were nationalized in 2009 in recognition of his great contributions for Tamil language. The Madurai-Natham main road in Madurai city was named after him and a G.O. was issued to that effect. Also, a memorial library in the name of ‘Sennapulavar’ Karmegha Konar was set up in his birth place Abhiramam.
Among those who were present at the portrait unveiling event in American College on June 21st 2023 include college vice-principal Prof.A.Martin David, college Bursar Dr.Beaula Ruby Kamalam and Prof.Justin Manohar, along with the family members of Karmegha Konar and staff of American College and E.M.G.Yadava Women’s College.
