Periyasaamy Thooran, Poet and Composer
Poet and Composer

Periyasaamy Thooran

Born 26 September 1908 · Tamil Nadu — Died 20 January 1987

Chief editor of the Tamil Encyclopedia project 'Kalaikkalanjiam' advancing Tamil literature and knowledge.

Manchakkattuvalasu Palanivelappa Gounder Periyasaamy Thooran popularly known as Periyasaamy Thooran was an Indian patriot, Tamil poet, teacher, and composer of Carnatic music. He was the chief editor of the Tamil Encyclopedia project called 'Kalaikkalanjiam' in Tamil language.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Periyasaamy Thooran declined to complete his final university exam in 1931 as a direct protest against the execution of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.

The Story

1
In 1928, as a university student in Tamil Nadu, Periyasaamy Thooran published an underground monthly called Pithan, boldly printing anti-British articles from Gobichettipalayam, challenging colonial rule.
2
🌟 In protest against Bhagat Singh's execution in 1931, he refused to sit for his final Bachelor of Arts exam, a rare act of student defiance in colonial India.
3By 1947, Thooran took on the monumental task as chief editor of the Kalaikkalanjiam, the Tamil Encyclopedia, leveraging his rare blend of science and literature to weave scientific terms into Tamil for the first time.
4🎵 Over his lifetime, he composed more than 600 songs, with celebrated Carnatic vocalists like D.K. Pattammal and N.C. Vasanthakokilam including his works in their concerts during the mid-20th century.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1968
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1928, Thooran’s underground magazine Pithan circulated incendiary articles against British colonial rule, printed initially by a local MLA in Gobichettipalayam, marking a rare student-led resistance publication in Tamil Nadu.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Manjakattuvalasu, Tamil Nadu
Born to K.A. Palanivelappa Gounder and Paavaathal near Modakurichi in present-day Erode district.
1908
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Career
Publication of underground magazine 'Pithan'
As a university student, published anti-British monthly in Gobichettipalayam, printed by MLA K.M. Ramaswamy Gounder.
1928
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Career
Protest by refusing final BA exam
Declined to appear for final Bachelor of Arts exam in protest of Bhagat Singh's execution.
1931
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Career
Compositions gained popularity
Carnatic legends like D.K. Pattammal began performing his songs in concerts.
c.1940
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Career
Chief Editor of Kalaikkalanjiam begins
Led Tamil Encyclopedia project blending science and Tamil language, begun the year India gained independence.
1947
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Death
Death of Periyasaamy Thooran
Passed away after a life of literary and musical contributions in Tamil Nadu.
1987
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Though not a musician, Thooran composed over 600 Carnatic songs by collaborating with gurus like Sivaramakrishna Iyer, showing a unique fusion of poetic talent and classical music expertise in mid-20th century Tamil Nadu.

02 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

The Tamil Encyclopedia Kalaikkalanjiam, edited by Thooran from 1947, was one of the earliest efforts to incorporate modern scientific terminology into Tamil, a pioneering linguistic and educational endeavor.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Popular Carnatic singers like N.C. Vasanthakokilam and D.K. Pattammal regularly performed Thooran’s compositions in their concerts, helping to popularize his poetic works between the 1940s and 1960s.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Periyasaamy Thooran transformed Tamil literature by injecting scientific vocabulary into the language through his leadership of the Kalaikkalanjiam encyclopedia project post-1947, making Tamil a language fit for modern scientific discourse. His compositions enriched Carnatic music by blending profound philosophical themes with classical ragas, influencing prominent musicians and popularizing Tamil devotional music during the mid-20th century. Educational institutions and cultural forums continue to celebrate his integration of patriotism, science, and art in Tamil culture.

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